Back injuries are common with car accidents and can range from mild to severe. If you were recently in a car accident and are experiencing back pain, then you should visit a doctor as soon as possible to get checked for a spinal cord injury. Many car accident injuries can cause back pain and the sooner you receive medical attention, the stronger your chances are for a full recovery. While you may be tempted to wait for the pain and discomfort to subside, you run the risk of developing complications or chronic pain. In many cases, spinal cord injuries can be treated using non-invasive methods of treatment and you can experience full healing over time.
Symptoms of a Spinal Cord Injury
Car accident injuries can sometimes come with delayed symptoms that can make it difficult to know whether or not you need medical attention. The stress of being involved in a wreck will likely cause your adrenaline to start pumping and you might even be in shock. Both of these responses can prevent you from recognizing pain and other symptoms right away. Even though the symptoms might be delayed, it doesn’t mean your potential injuries aren’t serious. In the hours and days after you were in a car accident, you may start to experience pain in your back. The pain may be dull and aching or cause sharp stinging and stabbing sensations. Some spinal cord injuries can affect your reflexes and cause spasms, while others may negatively impact your movements and coordination. You may also lose control of certain body functions like bladder or bowel control.
4 Common Causes of Spinal Cord Injuries
Here are four of the most common causes of spinal cord injuries.
Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause acute spinal cord injuries from the force of impact between two vehicles and the strain it puts on your spine. Whether you suffer a sudden blow to the spine or the collision jostles you around violently, you may experience a spinal cord injury like a herniated disc, pinched nerve, or fractured vertebrae.
Falls
Spinal cord injuries caused by slips and falls are more common in older aged adults. For senior citizens ages 65 and older, falls are the most common cause of spinal cord injuries. In fact, many slip and fall accidents can occur at home and result in trauma to the spine. It is possible to experience bruising on the spine as well as herniated discs and other spinal injuries.
Sports Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can occur in a wide variety of sports, though they are more common in contact sports. Many spinal cord injuries that are sports-related can affect both professional and amateur athletes. A hard fall or tackle can put too much pressure on the spinal cord and cause an injury.
Diseases
Medical conditions like arthritis and degenerative disc disease can impact the spinal cord and make it more susceptible to injury. Overuse injuries and wear-and-tear on the body over time can contribute to a weakened spine and its supporting musculature.
Treatment for Spinal Cord Injuries
Treatment for a spinal cord injury will depend on the type and severity of the injury. The severity of the injury can also impact the treatment length and types of goals for recovery determined by you and your doctor. In many cases, non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment options for spinal cord injuries can provide you with pain relief and restore healthy functioning. In more severe spinal cord injuries, the treatment goals may focus on improving your quality of life as much as possible. Conservative approaches to spinal cord treatment like chiropractic care may help reduce the need for more invasive treatment options like surgery.
How a Car Accident Chiropractor Can Help
When you visit a car accident chiropractor for a spinal cord injury, they will want to perform a physical assessment of your spinal cord and other evaluations. This can help your chiropractor identify any spinal misalignments that may be contributing to your pain and negatively impacting your healthy functioning. Chiropractic adjustments are safe, gentle, and effective ways to address a variety of spinal cord issues so you can experience lasting pain relief. To learn more about how a car accident chiropractor can help you with a spinal cord injury, schedule an appointment with our team at Accident Doctors.
