Is Back Pain Common After Minor Car Accidents?

If you have ever been in a car accident, whether minor or major, you know how common aches and pains are following your accident. Even accidents with negligible vehicle damage can result in injuries, and back injuries are among the most common, though every accident is unique. 

If you have been involved in a car accident, even a minor one, you may experience signs and symptoms days after your accident. When back or other aches and pains arise after an accident, the caring professionals at County Line Chiropractic Medical and Rehab can help. 

Let’s explore the most common back injuries following a car accident:

Minor Car Accidents and Back Injuries

Car accidents are common. Following car accidents, back injuries are the most common. Back injuries, even minor ones, can greatly affect your daily life. Even when your accident seemed minor and caused little damage to your vehicle, back injuries can occur. 

Your spine consists of three areas – the cervical vertebrae of the neck, the thoracic vertebrae of the upper back, and the lumbar vertebrae of the lower back. The spinal cord and vertebrae are surrounded by muscles, tendons, discs, ligaments, and nerves. When any area of your spine is injured, it causes pain ranging from mild to incapacitating.  Here are some common back injuries which result from car accidents and how those injuries can be treated by the team at County Line Chiropractic Medical and Rehabilitation:

• Whiplash – Among the most common injuries, whiplash causes damage to the cervical region, specifically the ligaments, muscles, and tissues of the neck. Whiplash symptoms – pain, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, and stiffness – may occur quickly within hours or take days to manifest. 
• Herniated Discs – Discs act as cushions protecting the spine and vertebrae. A herniated disc is one that has been displaced, causing pressure on the spinal cord or the surrounding nerves. The result is intense pain, which often manifests in the lower back and legs. A herniated disc can also cause numbness in the legs.
• Injuries to the Lumbar Region – The lumbar region of the spine provides stability with the largest vertebrae and strongest muscles. A sprain to the lumbar region damages the ligaments causing pain to the region. A strain, while less severe, also causes pain. Both can cause limited movement, as well as swelling and bruising, and affect your ability to function. 
• Injuries to the Thoracic Region – In most instances, injuries to the thoracic region, including sprains and fractures, are most severe, sometimes resulting in permanent nerve damage. 

Treating Back Pain and Injuries

When you have been in a car accident, you should seek medical treatment, even when you feel the accident and injuries are only minor. In some cases, injuries do not present immediately, but manifest in the days that follow your accident. Therefore, it is important that you seek medical attention, including a complete exam as well as the needed tests (x-rays, CT scans, MRIs) to ensure a proper diagnosis. With an accurate diagnosis, you can get the care and treatment you need, whether short-term or long-term.  

Call the Caring, Experienced Team at County Line Chiropractic Medical and Rehab 

If you have experienced back pain or injury following a car accident, the team of professionals at County Line Chiropractic Medical and Rehab can help you get the professional quality care you need to rid you of your pain and restore you to complete health and wellness. 

Please Note: County Line Chiropractic continues to follow strict CDC and State reopening protocols related to COVID-19 to ensure your safety.