Is Back Pain Normal after a Car Accident
According to the Mayo Clinic, car accidents are one of the leading causes of spinal injuries and are responsible for over 40% of spine injuries each year. Although you can’t always prevent a car accident, it’s important to understand what impact a crash can have on your back.
Most Common Back Injuries from Car Accidents
Back injuries are very common in car accidents in Miami because the force of the crash can easily strain ligaments and muscles in the back. Car accidents can cause several back injuries, including:
- Whiplash
- Disc herniation
- Compression fractures
- Spondylolisthesis
Whiplash
Whiplash is most common during rear-end collisions. Symptoms of whiplash usually appear within 24 hours of the accident and often include pain and stiffness in the neck. You may also experience headaches at the base of the skull, dizziness, fatigue and blurred vision. Victims of whiplash may also experience difficulty concentrating, ringing in the ears, memory problems, trouble sleeping and irritability.
Spinal Fractures
Spinal fractures are common in the middle and lower back during a car accident. During the crash, the upper body can be thrown forward while the lower body is held in place by a seatbelt, which can pull the vertebrae apart. One of the main symptoms of a spinal fracture is moderate to severe back pain that gets worse with movement. Other symptoms of spinal fractures include tingling, numbness and weakness.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is caused by the vertebra shifting out place due to a stress fracture in the bone. The displaced bone may therefore press on to the nerves or narrow the spinal canal, which can cause pain, numbness or weakness in the buttock or leg. It can also cause difficulty in walking.
Disc Herniation
Discs can easily herniate during a car accident since the discs absorb the majority of the impact to the spine. Herniated discs occur when the disc’s soft center pushes through a small crack in the disc’s exterior, which irritates the surrounding nerves. Some people experience no symptoms, but others may experience more severe symptoms such as tingling, numbness or weakness in the affected area.
Back Injury Treatment in Miami
Back injuries from car crashes can impact someone for months, and even years, after the accident. It’s important to seek the help of a medical professional to ensure that you can properly assess your injuries and help your body heal.
We Can Help
At Dr. Keren Gomez, we specialize in helping relieve your back pain through our chiropractic treatments. We treat hundreds of auto accident injuries in Miami each year, and work closely with our clients to assess their injuries and provide the right care.
Contact us today at 305-761-6528 to schedule an appointment.