Are You Suffering From Car Accident Back Pain? What Could It Be?
Being involved in a vehicle collision can have stiff consequences. Some of the most common types of car accident injuries take the form of back pain. If you’re suffering from this kind of discomfort, you may be wondering which conditions could account for your symptoms. While a trip to your physician is always in order to confirm any suspicions, here are a few possibilities for your back aches and pains:
Whiplash
Whiplash is an extremely common side effect of being in a car accident. When your body jerks violently in a crash, the side effects can last days, weeks, or even months in severe cases.
Whiplash has some telltale symptoms:
- A persistent headache that doesn’t respond to over-the-counter pain relievers. Headaches may be a symptom of damage to joints and the discs that support the back and neck.
- Upper arm pain may be a symptom of a herniated disc or a compressed nerve. You may also experience heaviness or tingling.
- Pain between the shoulder blades or arms is a form of “referred pain,” meaning you’re experiencing pain away from the spot of the actual injury. Your doctor is trained to know how pain affects the nerves in different parts of your body.
- Lower back pain is a common condition associated with whiplash. It may be indicative of injury to the sacroiliac joint or inflammation of the discs in your back.
- Insomnia, depression, and an inability to concentrate may be warning signs of whiplash, especially if the pain prevents you from performing everyday functions.
If you suspect you may have whiplash, schedule an appointment with your primary care physician as quickly as possible. The medical professional may order tests such as an x-ray or an MRI to determine the extent of your injuries. Once he or she pinpoints the source of your discomfort, he or she can prescribe medications to relieve the pain and physical therapy to strengthen your joints. An osteopathic physician may attempt osteopathic-manipulative medicine to treat your symptoms.
Traumatic Injuries to the Back and Neck
A severe car accident can cause acute trauma to the neck and back. These injuries can constitute a medical emergency, so make your way to an emergency room as soon as you can after an accident if you’re experiencing:
- Dizziness or loss of consciousness
- Severe headache or an inability to focus
- Profound muscle weakness or an inability to lift your limbs
These symptoms can indicate nerve damage or an injury sustained to the spinal cord, a delicate bundle of nerves that control motor and sensory functions throughout your entire body. Don’t ignore these symptoms.
Chronic Back Pain
Sometimes, the symptoms of a back injury can be delayed days or weeks after an accident. Trauma to the back can lead to chronic pain that lasts months or potentially years after an incident. Chronic pain is usually defined as symptoms that persist over four months or more. To pinpoint the cause of your back pain, doctors will need to perform a battery of tests, including x-rays, MRIs, CTs, or nerve conduction studies to make an accurate diagnosis. The process for properly diagnosing chronic pain can be lengthy and expensive.
When to Consult a Personal Injury Attorney For Your Back Pain
If you’re fighting with symptoms of back pain, contact a personal injury law firm to start a claim.
Medical tests that lead to your diagnosis and treatment are expensive, and your insurance company may not pay for all of them. Emotional and physical traumas take their toll on your psyche. Don’t suffer the consequences of someone else’s negligence.
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, call our experienced and compassionate law firm for a free initial consultation. We’ll sit down with you and ask for details about your accident. Using the information you provide, we’ll help determine your best course of action. Get in touch with us today.