The moment of a collision triggers an immediate release of stress hormones, primarily adrenaline and cortisol. From a biological standpoint, your brain interprets the car crash as a physical attack, activating a fight-or-flight response designed to help you survive. At the scene of the accident, you may or may not be injured—and you won’t know for sure for 24-72 hours.
The first responder
Those initial stress hormones do more than just make your hands shake. They actively suppress the transmission of pain signals. Adrenaline temporarily blocks the nociceptors (the sensory receptors for pain) from sending distress signals up the spinal cord to the brain (stress-induced analgesia). It’s the same mechanism that allows athletes to finish a game on a sprained ankle.
Within 72-hours, inflammation sets in
As the adrenaline and cortisol metabolize and leave your bloodstream over the next 24 to 48 hours, the pain might appear. Any tissue damage sustained during the crash will begin to manifest physically.
When cervical ligaments and muscle fibers are stretched beyond their anatomical limits, the body initiates an inflammatory response. White blood cells and localized fluid rush into the damaged tissues in the neck and upper back to begin the cellular repair process. According to the Cleveland Clinic's clinical overview of whiplash, this swelling and inflammation can take 24 to 72 hours to peak. As the fluid accumulates, it physically compresses the surrounding nerves, which you might feel as a radiating, localized pain.
Muscle guarding: Your body's internal neck brace
As the inflammation peaks, your nervous system realizes that the cervical joints are compromised. To prevent further damage to the spinal cord, your surrounding musculature locks down to immobilize the area.
Muscle guarding is an evolutionary defense mechanism acting as an internal neck brace. While it protects the spine in the short term, it also restricts blood flow, limits range of motion, and causes the stiffness that might make checking your blind spot very uncomfortable.
You might wonder, if muscle guarding is a natural evolutionary defense designed to protect the spine, shouldn't I just leave it alone and let the body heal itself? The problem is that, without intervention, those muscles stay locked down long after the initial threat has passed, which can cement restrictive scar tissue.
So early evaluation is critical, even if you feel fine at the scene. Achiropractor cangive you a complete medical evaluation, and bring in other experts if your treatment plan requires it. Acupuncture is highly effective at calming the hyperactive nervous system and reducing the stress hormone loop, and targeted massage prevent those guarding muscles from developing longer-term, restrictive scar tissue around the joints.
October in Portland: Fall Mushroom Show
Not to be missed! “Join the annual Oregon Mycological Society Fall Mushroom Show, where you can see beautifully displayed specimens from around the region and talk to mushroom experts. There will be vendors, books for sale, mushroom cooking samples, speakers and more.“ October 25, $15, Miller Hall, World Forestry Center.
Credit: The Oregon Mycological Society
Come visit us at Parkside
Come see our expert team at Parkside Clinic, where we tailor our care to your specific condition and tap into your body’s natural healing ability. Make an appointment, or if you have any questions, contact us.