(661) 282-8584 contactus@ariptcare.com Fax: (661) 727-0005 Español
Book an Appointment

Patient Questions  /  Delayed neck pain after an accident

Neck, Jaw & Headaches

Why Did My Neck Start Hurting Days After a Car Accident?

This is common. After a crash, stress hormones like adrenaline can mask pain at first. Then, over the next day or two, irritated muscles, ligaments and joints in the neck become sore and stiff. Delayed pain doesn't mean it's worse, but it's a good idea to get checked by a doctor after any car accident.

Request an Evaluation

Why the pain shows up later

In a crash, your head can whip forward and back quickly. This is often called whiplash. It can strain the muscles, ligaments and small joints of the neck even in a low-speed collision.

Right after an accident, your body's stress response can keep you from noticing pain. Over the following hours and days, the injured tissues become inflamed and muscles tighten to protect the area. That's why many people wake up a day or two later with a stiff, sore neck, headaches or pain into the shoulders.

What usually helps

Soft neck collars are usually not recommended for whiplash unless a doctor advises one, because keeping the neck still for long can slow recovery.

  • Keep your neck moving gently within a comfortable range. Research suggests staying active helps more than keeping the neck still.
  • Use heat or ice, whichever feels better, for short periods.
  • Return to normal activities as you can, adjusting the ones that hurt most.
  • Follow your doctor's advice about medicine and any tests.

Many people recover within weeks. Some have pain, stiffness or headaches that last longer. Worry and avoiding movement can keep symptoms going, so getting clear information and good care early can help.

When to see a doctor

Get emergency care if you have:

  • Severe neck pain, or pain in the middle of the neck when you touch the bones, after a crash
  • Numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs, or trouble walking
  • Confusion, worsening headache, repeated vomiting, unusual sleepiness or passing out
  • Trouble swallowing or speaking, double vision, or new dizziness

How physical therapy at ARI can help

Once a doctor has ruled out a serious injury, a physical therapist can ease pain and stiffness with hands-on treatment, guide you through safe neck and upper-back exercises, and help you get back to driving, work and daily life.

At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist, and our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

Read our full guide: Car accident and whiplash →

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Related questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed October 2026