Millions of car accident injuries occur each year and the severity of those injuries can cause lasting damage if not treated right away. Immediate medical care for car accident injuries can help you avoid issues like chronic pain and other complications. Some of the most common car accident injuries occur in the neck and back. While you might consider putting off a visit to the doctor for some mild pain and discomfort, you risk missing out on a diagnosis for something much more serious. Any damage to the head and spine should be addressed as soon as possible. Neck and back injuries can affect other parts of the body and significantly disrupt your mobility and healthy functioning if not properly diagnosed and treated promptly.
Common Back and Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
There are many types of back and neck injuries that can occur due to a car accident. The type of car accident, like a fender-bender versus a multi-car collision, can also have an effect on what types of injuries you are more likely to sustain. However, it is important to know that even what seems like a mild car accident can still lead to a serious injury. Here are 3 examples of common neck and back injuries after a car accident.
Whiplash
Whiplash is the most common car accident injury sustained in rear-end collisions. When a vehicle hits you from behind, it can force your head and neck to fling forward and backward violently. This severe movement can negatively affect muscles and ligaments in your neck as well as your spine. A whiplash injury can cause symptoms in your head, neck, and upper back due to the strong, whipping motion of your head getting jerked around during the accident. You may experience neck pain, stiffness, soreness, and difficulty turning your head in certain directions.
Muscle Strain
The force of impact in any type of car accident can put a lot of unnecessary pressure on your supportive soft tissues like your muscles. When the muscles are stretched out of their normal range, it can lead to muscle strain and even tears. Muscle strain is common after a car accident in the neck and back due to how your upper body bears the brunt of the impact. When your head and neck get violently jostled or your back is twisted in abnormal positions, the muscles may strain and cause soreness, stiffness, and pain with certain movements.
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is a type of spinal injury common in car accidents. The vertebrae in the spine are separated by spinal discs that provide support and shock absorption for everyday movements. However, the strong force of impact can cause a spinal disc to slip out of place and affect its functioning. A herniated disc can put pressure on nearby nerves along the spinal column, which can cause pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness in your extremities. Herniated discs most commonly occur in the neck and lower back.
Diagnosing Back and Neck Injuries After a Car Accident
In order to diagnose your back or neck injury, your doctor will want to hear about the car accident experience and the symptoms you have noticed so far. Each person will respond to the trauma of a car accident differently, though there are certain symptoms that may indicate car accident injuries of the neck and back. When you visit a car accident chiropractor, they will perform a physical assessment of your neck and back. They may also suggest an X-ray for clearer imaging of the injured area. An X-ray provides your doctor with a more detailed look at how your bones and joints were affected by the accident. It can also help with ruling out other potential injuries like broken bones or fractures. An accurate diagnosis will then inform the appropriate treatment plan to help you heal and recover.
Treatment Options for Car Accident Injuries
In order to avoid chronic pain and reduce the risk of complications in the long term, you want to visit a car accident chiropractor right away. Get started on treatment for your back and neck car accident injuries with chiropractic care that offers all-natural and non-invasive treatment options for a wide variety of injuries and issues. Visit Accident Doctors online or call us to learn more and schedule an appointment today!
