Pain is your body’s way of signaling to you that something is wrong. After a car accident, it may appear right away or not until weeks later, but when it does appear, it’s important to listen to what it is trying to tell you, especially when the pain is in your back. Lower back pain can make it difficult to go about your day-to-day activities and can cause long-term discomfort, but with the right diagnosis and treatment, you can regain control of your life. Here is what your lower back pain after a car accident can be telling you, and how you can overcome it.
What Your Symptoms Can Be Telling You
Pain can be difficult to diagnose if you don’t know what you are listening for. We can provide the guidance you need to locate the root cause of your symptoms. After all, to receive the right treatment, you first need to know what you need to be treated for. Here are the most likely conditions that your lower back pain can be a sign of after your car accident.
Herniated, Bulging, or Slipped Discs
Two of the main components that make up a spine are vertebrae and discs. Discs are the spongy matter between vertebrae that provide cushion and shock absorption for the spine. A herniated disc occurs when two vertebrae are compressed together. The force can cause the disc to slip or bulge out. A herniated disc can occur anywhere along the spine. You may be experiencing one if you have lower back pain after a car accident along with any of the following: muscle weakness or spasms, numbness or pins and needles feeling, or a burning sensation.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a medical issue that describes pain, weakness, or numbness in the lower back or legs. It is often caused by a pinched nerve or nerve damage to the area. If you’ve sustained an injury to your lower back during your car accident, it could cause sciatica. Some symptoms of sciatica you may be experiencing along with your lower back pain are muscle weakness, leg numbness or pins and needles, a burning sensation, and difficulty walking.
Strain or Sprain
One of the most common lower back injuries after a car accident is lumbar sprain. A sprain to the lower back occurs when there is damage to the muscle or ligaments in the surrounding area. It is often caused in higher-speed accidents or rear-end accidents from the force involved. You might have a strain if you experience difficulty moving or back spasms along with your lower back pain after a car accident.
Fractures
Car accidents at high speeds, or with much force, can cause fractures in the spine’s vertebrae. Fractures can occur in any area of the spine, but if you are experiencing lower back pain, it could be a fracture in the lumbar region. Contact a medical professional if you struggle with limited movement or flexibility, or inability to lift objects along with your lower back pain.
Spinal Stenosis
If your lower back pain after a car accident has been persistent, and you haven’t received treatment, it’s possible your condition has developed into spinal stenosis. This condition occurs when the channel that houses your spinal cord is narrowed and pinches the nerves. Along with lower back pain, you could experience tingling from legs to the toes, stiffness, and soreness in the hips.
What to Do Next
Getting a professional diagnosis is your first step towards the right treatment. If you’ve been struggling with your lower back pain after a car accident, seek medical care or schedule an appointment with your local chiropractor or physical therapist. At Essential Chirocare and Physical Therapy, our priority is helping our patients overcome their pain, and we can help you. We offer expert chiropractic care and physical therapy care to treat your lower back pain so you can get back to living your best quality of life.
Explaining Your Lower Back Pain
Still have questions about your lower back pain? We have the answers you’re looking for to explain your lower back pain after an accident. Get the guidance you need for the right diagnosis and treatment to set you on the path to recovery.
