What kind of pain conditions do you treat?

We treat a wide range of acute and chronic pain conditions, including back pain, neck pain, joint pain, sciatica, arthritis, nerve pain and accident injuries or surgeries. Our goal is to help you get back to an active and pain-free lifestyle.

Do I need a referral to schedule an appointment?

In most cases, you do not need a referral to see us. We accept self-referrals and work with most insurance providers. If you are unsure, just give us a call and we will help you understand what is needed.

What is interventional pain management?

Interventional pain management uses targeted, invasive procedures such as injections, nerve blockages, and spine stimulation to treat the source of your pain, not just cover it up with medication.

Who is Dr. Blake Christensen?

Dr. Blake Christensen is an expert in pain management, certified by the board and founder of Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers. With extensive training and a personalized approach, he is known for helping patients find real, lasting relief.

Are your treatments surgical?

No. We specialize in non-surgical pain treatments. Most of our procedures are performed in-office and do not require hospital stays or long recovery times.

What are epidural steroid injections, and are they safe?

Epidural steroid injections help reduce inflammation around spinal nerves. They are safe, commonly used, and often bring relief from conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis.

How long will it take to see results?

It depends on the condition and treatment plan, but many patients experience relief within days or weeks. We will guide you through each step and adjust your care as needed.

Is pain management just about medication?

Not at all. While medication can be part of a plan, we focus on treating the root cause through injections, physical therapies, nerve treatments, and lifestyle guidance.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

Please bring your ID, insurance card, a list of medications you are currently taking, and any recent imaging reports if available (X-rays, MRIs, etc.).

Where are you located, and what are your hours?

We have locations in Oklahoma City, Norman. Our clinics are open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Do you accept insurance?

Yes, we accept most major insurance plans. Our staff will help verify your coverage and explain any costs before your treatment.

What makes Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers different?

We treat each patient like family. With expert care led by Dr. Blake Christensen and a dedicated staff, we combine experience, compassion, and innovative treatments by the best team for the best health and quality of life.

Hidden Car Accident Injuries: Five Symptoms OKC Drivers Ignore

Jun 30

Written By DAP Development

Pain specialist examining a car accident patient at an Oklahoma City clinic for hidden crash injuries

You walked away from the crash feeling okay. No obvious injuries or serious pain. A day or two later, something felt off. Maybe a dull ache in your neck or a persistent headache. You aren’t alone in your experience.

An estimated 2.42 million people were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2024, per NHTSA crash injury data, and many never connect those delayed symptoms to the original impact. You’re not imagining it. Hidden car accident injuries in OKC don’t always announce themselves at the scene.

This article walks you through five symptoms OKC drivers most often overlook after a crash and when it’s time to get evaluated. If you are experiencing any symptoms, see a board-certified Oklahoma City car accident doctor who can evaluate your crash injuries and offer same-day visits with no referral needed. Early care protects your recovery and creates the documentation that supports your insurance claim.

Why Crash Injuries Stay Hidden

Adrenaline is the reason so many people feel fine right after a crash. Your body releases it in response to stress, and it’s a powerful natural pain blocker. It can mask soreness, stiffness, and real pain, making what you feel in those first hours an inaccurate picture.

Inflammation, the process that causes swelling and pain, builds gradually over the next 24 to 72 hours.

Delayed symptoms after a car accident are far more common than most people realize, and feeling sore a day or two later is expected. If neck stiffness develops in this window, explore your whiplash injury treatment options before symptoms progress.

What Are the Five Hidden Car Accident Injuries OKC Drivers Ignore?

Not every crash injury presents with immediate, obvious pain. Some of the most significant ones surface quietly, hours or days after the collision. These five hidden crash injuries are the ones OKC drivers most often mistake for everyday soreness, or attribute to something else entirely.

Each one has a pattern and a reason it’s easy to dismiss. Recognizing them early gives you a real head start on recovery.

Headaches

Do you notice any new headache that wasn’t there before the crash? It might feel like pressure behind your eyes, a tight band around your forehead, or a steady pounding that fades and comes back.

This type of headache can be a sign of a concussion after the accident or tension building in the muscles of your neck. It’s also one of the easiest symptoms to dismiss.

Headaches are common, and you might blame screen time, dehydration, or stress. Concussion symptoms like these can emerge hours or days after impact, and they don’t always involve losing consciousness. A headache that started after your crash deserves evaluation and can point to a concussion when it comes with other symptoms.

Neck Stiffness

Check your range of motion the morning after a crash. If turning your head feels tight, limited, or uncomfortable, your neck likely absorbed more force than you realized. This kind of stiffness, common with a neck injury after a crash, shares the same morning-stiff feeling you’d get from sleeping in an awkward position.

That overlap is exactly why so many drivers dismiss it and move on. Whiplash symptoms OKC drivers experience often begin this way, gradually worsening over 48 to 72 hours instead of improving. Getting an early whiplash evaluation gives your care team more options before symptoms peak.

Back Pain

Watch for a dull ache or sharp catch in your lower back or between your shoulder blades in the days after a crash. Back pain from a car accident in Oklahoma City is a common hidden crash injury people experience. The force of a collision, even a minor-feeling one, can strain your muscles, ligaments, and discs supporting your spine.

You might not feel anything the day of the crash because swelling and inflammation take time to develop. When back pain does appear, it often feels different from ordinary soreness and might spread into your hips or down your legs. Back pain that follows a crash, even days later, is worth getting evaluated before it progresses.

Numbness or Tingling

Feeling any buzzing, pins-and-needles sensations, or unexpected weakness in your arms or hands after a crash? These sensations can point to an irritated or compressed nerve in your neck, a condition that becomes much easier to treat when you catch it early. The tricky part is that these symptoms often come and go, which makes them easy to dismiss.

You might notice tingling while driving, typing, or waking up and assume it’s nothing unusual. When these sensations appear after a crash, it's often cervical radiculopathy, or nerve pain that radiates into the arm. Nerve compression caught early responds well to non-surgical treatment. Getting evaluated sooner keeps more options on the table.

Dizziness and Brain Fog

Track any changes in your mental clarity, balance, or sleep after a crash, even subtle ones. Feeling off-balance, foggy, or unable to concentrate or sleep well can all point to a concussion after your accident.

These are the symptoms you most often explain away as ordinary stress or fatigue. The pattern is familiar. You’re tired, managing insurance calls, and foggy thinking feels predictable, but when these changes follow a crash, timing is the key distinction.

Concussion symptoms can surface well after the initial event, which is why it’s important to mention even minor changes at your next evaluation.

When Should You See a Car Accident Doctor in Oklahoma City?

Most crash symptoms don’t require an emergency room visit right away. But certain warning signs mean your body needs professional attention sooner rather than later. Watch for:

Symptoms that worsen instead of improving
Pain that spreads to new areas
Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
Persistent headaches that won’t ease

These red flags tell you the injury isn’t resolving on its own. Getting care early, before symptoms escalate, gives you the best chance at recovery.

These types of hidden crash injuries respond well to non-surgical, interventional care when you catch them early. Dr. Blake Christensen, a double board-certified pain specialist and fifth-generation Oklahoman, leads a team that puts non-surgical options first, with 95% of patients avoiding surgery with targeted interventional treatment.

An early evaluation creates the documentation that supports your insurance claim. Schedule a same-day or same-week consultation with a pain specialist to get ahead of your symptoms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Still not sure whether what you're feeling is worth a visit? Here are the questions Oklahoma City drivers ask most in the days after a crash.

How Long After a Car Accident Do Hidden Injuries Appear?

Many delayed symptoms surface within 24 to 72 hours, as inflammation builds and adrenaline wears off. Some, like concussion-related fog or sleep changes, can take several days. If new symptoms appear within a week of a crash, treat them as crash-related and get evaluated.

Should I See a Doctor If I Feel Fine After a Crash?

It's worth a check, especially if anything changes over the next few days. Feeling fine at the scene doesn't rule out a soft-tissue, nerve, or concussion injury. Early care keeps more treatment options open while creating the documentation that supports your insurance claim.

Do I Need a Referral to See a Car Accident Doctor in Oklahoma City?

No, you don’t need a referral to see a car accident doctor. Most patients request an appointment directly and are seen the same day or same week, with no referral required for most plans. The team verifies your benefits before your visit.

Protect Your Recovery After a Crash

Feeling fine after a crash doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. The five symptoms above are ones you might easily dismiss, and are also the ones that respond best to care early.

Hidden doesn’t mean minor. Soft-tissue injuries, nerve irritation, and concussions can all develop without immediate pain because of the surge of adrenaline. Symptoms appearing 24 to 72 hours after your crash are expected, but they require attention nonetheless.

Seek care for hidden crash injuries early to keep your treatment options open. Oklahoma Pain Treatment Centers offers same-day and same-week visits with no referral needed. Don’t wait for pain to worsen before getting answers. Request an appointment online or call (405) 751-0011. Early care keeps your options open, and our team is ready when you are.

Medical disclaimer

This article is for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of Dr. Blake Christensen or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition. If you think you have a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

DAP Development