Soft Tissue Injuries: Why They’re So Common in Summer Crashes

Summer in Ohio means more time on the road—family vacations, weekend getaways, and lots of extra traffic. Unfortunately, that also means more car accidents. At Ohio Therapy Centers, we see a big increase in soft tissue injuries during the summer months, especially from crashes around Elyria, Akron, Parma, Canton, and Cleveland.

While many people expect broken bones or visible bruises after a crash, soft tissue injuries are actually some of the most common—and most overlooked—car accident injuries. They may not show up on an X-ray, but they can cause serious pain and long-term problems if left untreated.

In this blog, we’ll explain what soft tissue injuries are, why they’re more common in summer crashes, and how Ohio Therapy Centers can help you recover.

What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?

Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your body. These are the parts of your body that support movement and hold everything in place, but they’re also very vulnerable to strain or trauma during a car accident.

Common soft tissue injuries include:

• Whiplash – neck strain caused by sudden back-and-forth motion

• Muscle sprains or strains – overstretching or tearing of muscles

• Tendon or ligament damage – especially in the back, shoulders, or knees

• Bruising and inflammation – which can cause stiffness and pain

These injuries might not show up right away. It’s not unusual for symptoms to appear days after the crash.

Why Are Soft Tissue Injuries So Common in Summer?

Summer crashes tend to involve more rear-end collisions, side swipes, and multi-vehicle pileups—especially with more drivers on the road, distracted driving, and high-speed travel during vacations. These types of crashes often lead to soft tissue injuries because of how the body is jolted or twisted during impact.

Also, people are often more physically active in the summer. If your body is already tight or overworked from exercise or outdoor chores, it’s more vulnerable to injury when a crash happens.

Signs You May Have a Soft Tissue Injury

After a car accident in Elyria or anywhere in Northeast Ohio, watch for symptoms like:

• Stiffness or soreness in your neck, back, or shoulders

• Muscle spasms or aching that worsens with movement

• Swelling or tenderness in certain areas

• Trouble turning your head or bending over

• Fatigue or headaches following the crash

Even if you think it’s “just soreness,” it’s worth getting checked out. These injuries can worsen over time if ignored.

How Ohio Therapy Centers Can Help

At Ohio Therapy Centers, we specialize in helping patients recover from car accident injuries. We serve patients in Elyria, Lorain County, and the greater Cleveland area with customized treatment plans that may include:

• Chiropractic care to improve alignment and relieve pressure

• Physical rehab to rebuild strength and restore movement

• Manual therapy and soft tissue work to reduce inflammation and improve healing

• Stretching and rehab exercises tailored to your specific injury

We don’t just treat the symptoms—we help your body heal at the source.

Don’t Wait—Get Evaluated After Any Crash

Soft tissue injuries can sneak up on you. What feels like a “minor ache” now could turn into months of pain and limited mobility. If you’ve been in a car accident—no matter how small—schedule a free consultation with our team at Ohio Therapy Centers.

We’re here to help you feel better, move better, and get back to doing the things you love this summer.

📍 Serving the Greater Cleveland, Akron, and Canton areas
📞 Contact us today to book your consultation and start your recovery.