Many car accident injuries are obvious to you immediately- cuts, bruises, even broken bones can be identified quickly. But in some cases, you might not see an injury, yet wonder about feeling “off” or odd symptoms. Some of the most common injuries, like whiplash, actually don’t always appear right away or have symptoms you may recognize. You might think that back pain and headaches after a car accident are normal reactions, but they can be signs that something more serious has occurred. Symptoms like a tingling in your back might indicate conditions like a pinched nerve and should seek medical care promptly.
About Pinched Nerves
A pinched nerve is a more common term for what is known medically as nerve compression. Nerves in your back can be compressed or pinched for a number of reasons, but they typically cause pain along with numbness, weakness, or tingling. These sensations can sometimes feel like the “pins and needles” feeling you get when you cross your legs for an extended time and one “falls asleep”. However, a pinched nerve usually will not resolve through simply repositioning yourself.
Pinched nerve pain can appear in the direct area where your nerve is pinched, but it can also radiate, where the pain starts in your back near the nerve and shoots down your hips and legs. These symptoms may begin immediately following the accident or begin to appear later when you twist, turn, or move in particular ways.
Car Accidents and Pinched Nerves
Most of the common car accident injuries due to the force of the accident, which moves your body into an uncomfortable position. Some common injuries can cause a pinched nerve and a tingling sensation in your back.
Spinal Injuries – The spinal column houses the nervous system, a series of connected nerves that communicate throughout the body by sending signals. If damage occurs to the spine, it can also damage the nervous system. A serious car accident injury can lead to damage even with the proper use of a seat belt and airbag. Any bruises, scrapes, or muscle pains in your back can indicate an injury and should be evaluated by a doctor.
Whiplash – Whiplash is commonly the cause of many symptoms, including pain and headaches after a car accident. This injury occurs when your head jerks back and forth on impact, straining muscles and ligaments in your neck. This damage can affect spinal support and cause inflammation or slipped discs, leading to pinched nerves.
Herniated Discs – When whiplash causes the soft, cushioning discs that separate your vertebrae to be damaged or moved out of place, this can lead to a herniated disc. A malpositioned disc can press on surrounding nerves and lead to the symptoms of a pinched nerve. Too much pressure on the nerve causes it to cease function, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling.
Monitoring Tingling Sensations
No matter what symptoms you are experiencing, it is important to seek medical care after a car accident. Many injuries will be hidden and cause damage before you know it is even occurring in your body. While you may be able to monitor symptoms at home, tingling or numbness that lasts more than a few days mean you should seek out medical care promptly.
Your doctor may recommend some home remedies to help relieve symptoms like tingling or headaches after a car accident. Rest and mild pain relievers can be helpful for a tingling sensation, and heat and ice therapy can help support strained muscles to reduce inflammation.
Treating a Pinched Nerve
Many cases of nerve compression won’t go away on their own, or if they do, they will likely reoccur over time if the root cause is not addressed. What doctor should you see after an accident? A chiropractor will be able to assess the spine and identify where the affected nerve may be, correct any imperfections in your posture, and work to correct the underlying issue causing your symptoms. Orthopedic and neurological doctors can also review any damage to your spine or muscles if necessary.
Repairing the injury may include a combination of physical therapy, adjustments, and mild medication. Most cases can be treated without invasive options like surgery becoming necessary. As the nerve is relieved of pressure, you should begin to experience less tingling and pain in your back.
