5 Early Signs of Back Injuries After a Car Accident

A 2017 cross-sectional study published in the Asian Journal of Neurosurgery found that car accidents cause roughly 40% of spinal injuries, ranging from muscle strains to more serious conditions like herniated discs. The tricky part: symptoms may not appear immediately, sometimes taking days or even weeks to surface. 

This delay can make it hard to recognize the injury and worsen symptoms. In this blog, we’ll help you learn how to spot the signs of back injuries after a car accident so you can get prompt treatment and prevent chronic complications.

Common Causes of Back Injuries in Car Accidents

Understanding the forces involved in car accidents is key to understanding how back injuries can happen. Let's take a closer look below.

• Sudden Force During a Collision: This can directly affect the spine, possibly leading to vertebrae fractures or spinal cord compression.
• Strain or Damage to the Spine, Muscles, or Soft Tissues: Abrupt jolting movements can strain or damage the back’s ligaments, muscles, and discs.
• Whiplash and Rapid Spinal Movements: Forceful forward and backward movement of the head and neck causes significant stress on the cervical spine.
• Improper Seatbelt Use: Wearing the seatbelt too high or too loose can elevate the chances of spinal injury in the event of a crash.
• High-Speed Impacts or Severe Collisions: The stronger the force, the greater the risk of serious spinal fractures, dislocations, and spinal cord injuries.

Given the complex nature of back injuries sustained in car accidents, exploring options like chiropractic care for back injuries can be a key element for a fast and comprehensive recovery.

5 Early Signs of Back Injuries After a Car Accident

Now that we've discussed how these injuries occur, let's focus on the early signs of car accident back injury symptoms you should watch for.

1. Persistent Pain or Stiffness

Some accidents can leave you relatively unharmed, with only mild back pain or minor injuries that can heal on their own. However, ongoing back pain or stiffness could indicate muscle strain or a more serious spinal issue. Even if it's only from a minor car accident, seeking medical treatment is still necessary. 

2. Tingling or Numbness in Extremities

Muscle spasms and inflammation from sudden forces can compress or pinch nearby nerves, disrupting signals. Similarly, these impacts stress the spine, causing the cushioning discs to bulge. When these happen, tingling or numbness in the back may occur (often radiating down the leg). All of these indicate a back injury.

3. Limited Mobility or Difficulty Moving

Don't ignore sudden difficulty with movements that were once easy for you. It may indicate a structural problem in your back, like a muscle/ligament injury, herniated disc, fracture, or spinal stenosis, and warrants medical attention.

4. Pain Radiating Down the Legs (Sciatica)

Back pain injuries can cause bulging discs, inflammation of connective tissues, narrowing of the spinal canal, and muscle tightness. These symptoms lead to a condition called sciatica, which happens when spinal misalignments press on the sciatic nerve.

5. Delayed Symptoms or Gradual Onset of Pain

While some back injuries cause immediate pain, other signs of back pain after a car accident may take days or even weeks to manifest. It's crucial to keep a close eye on your back for any alterations in comfort or movement in the days and weeks after the accident.

How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Back Injuries

Chiropractic care offers a range of techniques that can be beneficial in recovering from car accident back injuries.

Spinal Adjustments for Pain Relief

Spinal adjustment is one of the most effective techniques for back pain management. It involves applying gentle, controlled thrusts to misaligned spine areas, which often cause pain. A 2017 American College of Physicians guideline recommends spinal adjustment for various types of low back pain. It can improve joint mechanics, reduce inflammation, and increase the range of motion in the spine, contributing to pain relief.

Soft Tissue Therapy for Faster Recovery

Back injuries also affect the body’s connective tissues—muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding it—causing pain, pressure, and tension in those areas. Soft tissue therapies like myofascial release and massage therapy address soft tissue injuries by releasing tension, improving flexibility, and increasing blood flow to injured areas, all of which help speed up recovery.

Personalized Rehabilitation Plans

Chiropractic care is anything but a one-size-fits-all solution. Back injuries can be complex, as they comprise various structures and symptoms that make it challenging to pinpoint the root cause of chronic pain. A chiropractor tailors treatment plans to fit each patient's unique needs and goals. 

According to the International Association on the Study of Pain (IASP), a global authority in pain research, a back pain specialist should assess the following factors to create an effective treatment plan:

• Medical history
• Current physical condition
• Specific health goals
• Lifestyle habits
• Work environment
• Risks
• Convenience
• Accessibility

Tailoring treatment plans to individual factors can help successfully strengthen the back, restore mobility, and prevent re-injury.

Why Choose Allied Pain & Wellness for Back Injury Care

At Allied Pain & Wellness, we believe in treating the whole person, not just the immediate symptoms. We're dedicated to helping you achieve a long, pain-free life without invasive procedures like back surgery or reliance on painkillers. 

Dr. Shahen Simian, our board-certified chiropractor, takes a holistic approach to back pain, offering personalized care that may include chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, myofascial release, and other effective, noninvasive therapies. You'll receive targeted, state-of-the-art care in a compassionate and patient-focused environment with us.

Takeaway

Don't let the possibility of chronic back pain linger. Take the first step towards recovery by understanding the signs of back injuries after a car accident. Empower yourself to understand what's happening in your body and seek early intervention for a healthier future.

If you are suffering from upper, middle, or lower back pain in Burbank and nearby areas, Allied Pain & Wellness has your back. Dr. Simian's expertise and our team's commitment to exceptional service provide the support you need for a smooth and secure recovery.
Schedule a consultation today and discover the path to lasting back relief.