Back pain is one of the most common experiences after a car accident. Unfortunately, after a car accident, many people try to wait and see if their pain and discomfort will go away on their own. When it comes to back pain, it is typically a sign of something serious going on and should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid the development of chronic pain. Car accident chiropractors are highly skilled and knowledgeable about the types of car accident injuries that include back pain. When back pain starts to impact your daily routine and keep you from participating in the activities you love, then you need to visit car accident chiropractors near you.
Car accidents can be a traumatic event for everyone involved. But did you know that the shock and stress from such an event can actually keep you from recognizing pain and other symptoms of an injury? After a car accident, your body is full of adrenaline and you may also be in shock or traumatized. All of these natural responses can keep you from fully feeling pain and discomfort. It may take hours or even days for you to realize your back pain is something serious. When you visit car accident chiropractors, they can help identify how your spine and other internal structures may have been damaged in the car accident. Getting started on treatment for a car accident injury as soon as possible can help you avoid lasting pain and experience relief sooner.
Common Car Accident Injuries That Cause Back Pain
Here are four common car accident injuries that can cause back pain and other symptoms.
Spinal Misalignment
When the spine is in proper alignment, the brain is able to effectively communicate with the rest of the body through the nervous system that is housed in the spinal column. Disruptions, like a vertebra or spinal disc out of place, can affect the brain’s messaging and lead to pain, tingling, weakness, and numbness that extends out into your extremities. Spinal misalignments after a car accident can cause pain in the area where they are located and radiate elsewhere. The spine is divided into three main parts: the cervical spine or neck area, the thoracic spine or truck of the body, and the lumbar spine or lower back. You can experience misalignment in any one of these areas that can cause pain until it is properly adjusted by a chiropractor.
Whiplash
Whiplash is another car accident injury that can affect your head, neck, and back. You may experience back pain after a whiplash injury, especially in your upper back. The force of impact can jostle your body around and put added stress and pressure on your spine in your neck and upper back. This can also affect the muscles and tendons that support your spine in your neck and upper back, leading to pain, stiffness, and soreness. This can also lead to misalignments, a herniated disc, or a pinched nerve.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when one of the spinal discs that separates two vertebrae slips or bulges out of place. Spinal discs are spongy, gel-like structures that help absorb shock and prevent vertebrae from rubbing together. If you suffer a herniated disc in any part of your spine, it can cause significant back pain. Many people with a herniated disc experience more pain and discomfort with certain movements that involve the area of the spine where the spinal disc is aggravated and out of place. In order to effectively resolve a herniated disc, your chiropractor will want to resolve any misalignments in the area and also help promote strength and stability in the supporting muscles and tendons.
Pinched Nerve
A herniated disc or misaligned vertebra can put pressure on a nearby nerve, causing a pinched nerve. When you think of a pinched nerve, you may think of the pins and needles sensation, like if you were sitting too long with your legs crossed and your foot “fell asleep”. However, a pinched nerve can also cause significant pain and discomfort, including shooting or stabbing pains through your back and into your extremities. Your car accident chiropractor can help resolve a pinched nerve so you can experience lasting pain relief.
Learn more about how car accident chiropractors can treat back pain effectively and efficiently with the team at Accident Doctors. Find a location near you and begin the road to recovery today.
