After a car accident, you can’t afford to wait. You need to get medical help right away to identify and treat any potential back injuries, even if you don’t feel anything.
In fact, research shows that nearly 50% of people involved in a car accident will experience some form of back pain later on.
Now that we’re talking about treatment, you have a number of options at your disposal. You can opt for physical therapy, chiropractic care, or whatever else works best for you. Plus, there are advanced treatments available if needed.
But for now, let’s not forget the consequences of delayed treatment. Unfortunately, back injuries left untreated can lead to chronic pain and mobility problems later on.
Also research shows that up to 30% of patients can experience long-term complications from untreated back injuries.
As you can see, timely medical attention is not optional; it’s necessary.
This guide will go over the immediate steps to take after an accident, common causes and types of injuries, treatment options, home remedies and legal considerations.
Back Hurts After Car Accident
The sudden impact from a car crash can put a lot of stress on your spine and surrounding tissues and can cause a range of injuries from mild back pain to severe injuries like spinal fractures and herniated discs.
Get medical attention ASAP to get any serious injuries diagnosed and prevent conditions from getting worse.
Back injuries left untreated can affect your daily life and can have chronic pain that can last for weeks, months or longer. Regular check ins with healthcare professionals will help monitor progress and manage back pain.
In some cases if conservative treatments don’t work minimally invasive surgery may be needed to get rid of back pain.
Immediate Steps After Experiencing Back Pain From a Car Accident
The minutes after a car accident can be crazy but taking the right steps right away can make a big difference in your recovery. Get medical attention ASAP to prevent long term complications from back injuries.
Even if your pain is mild get medical attention. Symptoms of injuries may not show up until later.
Here are some immediate steps to take:
- Get medical attention: Go to an emergency room or see a healthcare provider.
- Don’t do strenuous activities: Rest and avoid anything that can make the injury worse.
- Follow medical advice: Follow the treatment plan given by your doctor which may include physical therapy, medication or other pain management methods.
- Monitor your symptoms: Keep track of any changes or worsening of your back pain and report to your healthcare provider.
Read More: Headache After Car Accident: Causes and Fixes
What Causes Back Pain After a Car Accident
It can be from many causes each with its own impact on the body.
Whiplash is one of the most common injuries which is the whipping motion of the neck during the impact and can cause muscle and ligament strain.
This can cause neck and shoulder pain which often radiates to the back.
Other common causes include:
- Spinal cord injuries: These can be serious and can cause nerve damage or paralysis.
- Herniated discs: The impact can cause spinal discs to slip or rupture and compress nerves and cause severe pain.
- Compression fractures: These occur when the vertebrae are subjected to extreme force and common in high impact collisions.
- Soft tissue injuries: Strains and sprains to the muscles and ligaments can be very uncomfortable.
Symptoms of Back Injuries
Symptoms may show up a day or more after the accident so get medical attention ASAP. Radiating pain down the legs and buttocks is often a sign of nerve involvement.
Here are what to watch for:
- Numbness or tingling: In the extremities can be a sign of nerve damage.
- Muscle spasms: Spasms may occur as a reaction to the injury.
- Stiffness and can’t move: If you feel stiffness in your back and can’t stand or walk get medical attention.
See a doctor if you have new or worsening back pain especially if it’s radiating, numbness or other symptoms.
Types of Back Injuries From Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause many types of back injuries each with its own set of challenges and treatment. The complexity of the spine including its anatomy plays a big role in the types of injuries that occur in motor vehicle accidents.
Types of back injuries from car accidents include:
- Strains
- Sprains
- Herniated discs
- Fractures
These can be mild to severe and very uncomfortable.
Lumbar spine injuries are common and can cause chronic back pain that can affect daily activities.
Other types of injuries are thoracic spine injuries which can be more serious and can cause fractures, disc herniations and even paralysis.
Lumbar Spine Injuries
Lumbar spine injuries which affects the lower back are among the most common after a car accident. These can be from minor strains to serious conditions like spinal fractures that may require surgery. Damage to the muscles and surrounding tissue due to the force of the accident often causes lumbar sprain pain.
Symptoms of lumbar spine injuries can be excruciating pain that can radiate to other parts of the body.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs is another common injury from car accidents. It occurs when the inner gel of the disc bulges out of the outer shell often due to the trauma of the accident. The force of the impact can cause the discs to shift and compress nerves and cause severe pain that radiates to the limbs.
Symptoms of herniated discs include intense pain, muscle spasms and sometimes numbness or tingling in the extremities.
Facet Joint Injuries
Facet joint injuries often caused by the sudden force of a car accident can cause immediate pain and muscle spasms. These injuries involve damage to the joint and cartilage and sometimes fluid leakage.
If left untreated facet joint injuries can lead to degenerative spinal disorders that can affect mobility and quality of life.
Facet joint injuries are diagnosed through extensive evaluation and imaging tests to determine the extent of the damage.
Diagnostic Testing for Back Pain
Accurate diagnosis is the first step to proper treatment of back pain after a car accident. Common imaging tests used to assess back injuries are X-rays, MRIs and CT scans.
X-rays are used to identify fractures in the vertebrae and provide a clear picture of the bone structure.
MRIs provide detailed images of soft tissues so it’s useful in diagnosing herniated discs and soft tissue injuries. CT scans are less detailed than MRIs but are often used in emergency situations because of its quick and cost effective nature.
Electromyography (EMG) is another diagnostic tool used to assess potential nerve damage or compression after a back injury.
Treatment Options
Back pain treatment options after a car accident range from conservative to advanced. Conservative treatment options are:
- Physical therapy
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic care
- Therapeutic exercises like yoga and tai chi
These methods strengthen muscles, improve flexibility and relieve pain without surgery.
In cases where conservative treatments fail, advanced options like corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections or surgery may be considered.
Consult medical professionals to create a personalized treatment plan based on the type, severity and location of the injury.
Self-care practices like rest and gentle stretching can also help in healing and recovery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is the foundation of recovery from back pain after a car accident. It involves exercises targeted to strengthen the muscles that support the back, improve flexibility and reduce discomfort.
Heat and cold therapy, ultrasound and electrical stimulation are commonly used to promote healing and manage pain.
A physical therapist will create a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs and injury.
Follow this plan and you’ll alleviate pain, restore function and prevent future injuries.
Medication Management
Medication management is important in the initial treatment of back pain after a car accident. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxants are often recommended to manage pain and reduce inflammation.
These medications can give significant relief during the early stages of recovery.
For severe pain, pain management specialists may offer targeted injections like corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and relieve pain.
Consult a doctor to make sure the medications are right for your condition and to avoid side effects.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is another treatment option for back pain after a car accident. Chiropractors use manual adjustments to realign the spine, reduce pain and improve function. This method addresses the source of back pain not just the symptoms.
A chiropractic treatment plan starts with a thorough evaluation to determine the nature of the injury.
A customized recovery plan including spinal adjustments, therapeutic exercises and other techniques is created based on this evaluation to promote healing and reduce pain.
Home Remedies and Self-Care Tips
Along with professional treatments, here are some home remedies and self-care tips to help manage back pain after a car accident.
Rest is key to healing. First, ice therapy reduces swelling, then heat therapy relieves muscle tension and spasms.
Here are some tips to follow:
- Rest: Give your body time to heal by not doing strenuous activities.
- Ice and heat therapy: Use ice packs to numb pain and reduce inflammation, then heat packs.
- Gentle exercise: Do short walks to maintain muscle strength and circulation.
- Essential oils: Apply topical essential oils to relax muscles and pain.
Proper foot wear can also reduce stress on your back.
These self-care tips can complement professional treatments and speed up recovery.
When to see a Specialist
See a specialist on time to manage back pain. If you have radiating pain, numbness or tingling along with backaches, it’s time to see a neurologist. Severe pain or suspected fractures, see an orthopedic surgeon.
Your primary doctor is usually the first point of contact for back pain after a car accident and can refer you to the right specialist based on your symptoms.
Specialists in musculoskeletal or spinal conditions can give you targeted treatments and advice, for your back injuries.
Potential Long-Term Effects of Untreated Back Injuries
Chronic pain and mobility issues are common outcome of untreated spinal injuries. Over time these can affect your quality of life and make even simple daily activities difficult.
Untreated back injuries can also cause permanent nerve damage resulting to spinal stenosis and degenerative spinal conditions including spinal cord injury. Development of disc herniation and other complications can worsen the problem.
Legal Considerations for Back Pain After a Car Accident
In Michigan for example, you must prove that the other driver was at fault and that your injury is under the No-Fault Law to file a lawsuit. Each state has its own statute of limitations for personal injury claims so act fast to protect your legal rights.
Settlements for lower back pain after a car accident can be huge and depends on the severity of the injury and extent of medical treatment needed.
Compensation for pain and suffering can be substantial to acknowledge physical and emotional distress caused by the injury.
An experienced lawyer can help you get a fair settlement by gathering evidence and negotiating with insurance companies.
Preventive Measures
Preventive measures are key to reducing back injuries in future car accidents.
Rehabilitation and Lifestyle Changes
Rehabilitation programs aim to restore mobility, strengthen the body, relieve pain and prevent chronic conditions.
Ergonomic practices and proper nutrition can help in recovering from back pain. Addressing the psychological effects of a car accident is also important for overall recovery.
Some lifestyle changes can support your rehabilitation:
- Gentle exercises: Short walks can maintain muscle strength and blood circulation.
- Warm water exercises: These can stretch and strengthen back muscles and help in recovery.
- Supportive measures: Braces can stabilize the back during recovery.
- Weight loss can help with back pain relief especially for those who are overweight.
Do these changes and it will help your rehabilitation and overall health and wellness.
Wrap Up
With all of this in mind, back pain from car accidents is a common health problem that affects many people every year. The impact from a car accident can be severe and requires management and recovery strategies.
If you’ve been in a car accident you should know why, what to look for and what treatment options are available for back pain.
