Back Pain After a Car Accident?

Car accidents often damage the musculoskeletal system: Your bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. One of the most common injuries after a car accident is a back injury. While there are many causes and symptoms of back injury, they all have one thing in common: they require a professional examination from a car accident doctor.

Unfortunately, auto accidents are common in Florida. According to Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (2020), there were:

• 341,399 total Florida crashes
• 569,182 drivers involved
• 92,247 hit-and-run crashes
• 4,554 alcohol confirmed crashes
• 8,045 motorcycle crashes
• 8,117 pedestrian crashes

If you or a loved one were involved in a car crash, motorcycle crash, or other type of accident, visit Swann Medical today. We treat back pain after a car accident with a wide range of safe, non-invasive options. Even if your crash was minor, it’s important to visit a medical professional for an evaluation and diagnosis so your recovery isn’t delayed.

Common Back Pain Injuries After a Car Accident

During a car accident, a tremendous amount of force impacts your back and spine. Most of us have experienced tweaking our back after lifting a box or even a mild exercise session. So it makes sense that an auto accident–even a minor one–can cause significant back injury.

At Swann Medical, back pain is one of the leading injuries we treat. We offer comprehensive care plans and safe pain management options. There are several injuries that might cause a car accident victim to feel back pain, including cervical spine pain and acute low back pain.

Common back pain injuries include:

• Sprains and strains – As you might expect, the impact of an auto accident can lead to the stretching and/or tearing of ligaments, muscles, or tendons. This can include strains and sprains of the lumbar spine.
• Joint injuries – Facet joints are the joints that connect your vertebrae. During a crash, the high impact can damage facet joints, typically resulting in low back pain.
• Spinal disc damage – Your spinal discs offer cushioning and support between vertebrae. During a crash, your discs can become damaged or displaced, resulting in several unfortunate injuries. These include herniated, torn, and bulging discs.
• Whiplash – Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries, though its symptoms don’t always appear right away.

Without a professional exam and diagnosis, it’s impossible to know the exact origin of your back pain. At Swann Medical, we get to the root cause of your pain so we can develop a strategy for your healing and recovery.

Common Back Injury Symptoms After a Car Accident

It’s standard to feel aches and pains after a car accident. Often, there are various sore spots throughout the body, and it can be difficult to identify the source. But just because pain is typical doesn’t mean it should be ignored. Even minor pain can be an indication of problems to come, and prompt medical treatment is essential.

Be on alert for the following back pain symptoms:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Tightness, pinching, or muscle spasms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Loss of normal movement
• Worsening pain with movement
• Headaches starting at the base of the skull
• Tenderness or pain in the arms, upper back, or shoulder
• One-sided pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back, buttock, leg, and foot

With proper medical care, back injuries have a chance to resolve and heal. A car accident chiropractor can help get you started on the road to recovery so you can get back to doing the things you love.

Back Pain Treatment After a Car Accident

Back pain treatment options include:

Ice or heat – applied to the area of injury for 24 hours after your auto accident
Medication – to reduce swelling and pain, such as over the counter anti-inflammatory drugs
Physical therapy – which includes stretches and exercises designed to strengthen your neck tissues in a safe, supervised manner
Chiropractic techniques – spinal manipulation can help back pain after a car accident
Neck braces – worn for short periods can support and comfort neck injuries

While waiting to see your doctor, you can help your back pain by resting, applying ice and heat, and taking over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs like naproxen Aleve.

A Florida Car Accident Chiropractor Can Help

At Swann Medical, our award-winning auto accident chiropractors, doctors, nurses, and therapists work together to provide comprehensive care for various conditions. We focus on pain relief and getting to the root cause of your discomfort so you can start feeling like yourself again. We treat whiplash after a car accident, sports injury, or workplace accident.

Our services include:

• Basic chiropractic care
• In-depth spinal diagnosis
• Auto injury rehabilitation
• Non-surgical treatment
• Physiotherapy
• Spinal decompression
• Massage therapy

We treat injuries ranging from mild to severe, with varying levels of complexity. Our goal is to make high-quality accident injury care accessible for anyone who needs it. We offer walk-ins, same-day appointments, and transportation to and from our offices. Call us today if you were injured in a car accident. Our medical professionals are ready to help!

Back Pain After a Car Accident FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

If I feel fine, should I still see an auto accident doctor?

Not all injuries are apparent, and not all symptoms appear immediately. Seeing a car accident doctor promptly benefits both your long-term health and your personal injury claim. At Swann Medical, our team is well-versed in auto injuries, and we can help you keep everything organized for the insurance companies as well.

How can an auto accident chiropractor help?

At Swann Medical, we offer various treatment options for accident injuries throughout the body. Our team consists of doctors, nurses, chiropractors, and therapists who work together to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Our services include chiropractic care, auto injury rehabilitation, massage therapy, and more.

Should I go to the doctor my insurance company recommends after a car crash?

After an auto accident, it’s essential to see a doctor who will advocate on your behalf. While it might seem more straightforward to go with the doctor your insurance company recommends, it’s always best to do your research and choose a clinic that suits you.

Is there a Florida injury chiropractor near me?

Swann Medical is proud to serve Floridians. We have multiple locations in the Tampa, Florida, area, and we offer transportation to and from our clinics for patients in need. Call us today to learn more about the location nearest you.