According the the Mayo Clinic, car accidents are responsible for over 40 percent of spinal injuries every year. This is a troubling statistic. Although car accidents are hard to prevent, learning about spinal injuries can help you recognize and treat an injury so you know exactly what steps to take after an auto accident.
The spine is extensively complex in nature, but it’s equally as fragile. The spine is structured for you to perform amazing feats like running and jumping, but not to withstand the impact of an accident. Unfortunately, neck and back injuries are common during car accidents. The sudden impact strains the delicate ligaments and muscles in the back. This can result in several different types of injuries that bring significant amounts of pain.
Knowing how to spot symptoms of back and spinal injuries can help you or a loved one regain a comfortable life. Some injuries can increase exponentially in severity, so you should seek the help of a medical professional immediately following the accident. A muscle strain may heal on its own, but if back or neck pain is caused by a more serious injury, the victim may feel pain for years later.
Detecting Injury
How do you know if you’ve sustained a serious injury? You likely won’t know any specific details until you’ve met with a medical professional, but here are some common injuries and their symptoms that indicate chiropractic help:
Whiplash
Whiplash is caused by the head snapping backwards then forwards due to impact—usually a rear-end collision. This injury is very common in accidents, even minor fender benders. Symptoms of whiplash will usually appear within one day of impact. They include dizziness, pain in the neck, stiffness, blurred vision, and abnormal levels of fatigue. In extreme cases, the person may encounter difficulty paying attention, memory problems, ringing in the ears, and difficulty sleeping.
Spinal Fracture
Compression fractures are common in the middle and lower back during a car accident. The structure of the seatbelt can sometimes cause a person’s upper body to be thrown forward while the lower body is anchored by the seatbelt. Spinal fractures can result in spinal cord injuries while the vertebrae pull apart. If you suspect this type of injury, it is imperative that an emergency medical technician be notified immediately.
Herniated Disk
Since the disks in your back absorb most of the shock and impact, disks can herniate. Symptoms depend on the extent of the injury and severity of impact. Some people don’t experience symptoms while others experience intense feelings of tingling, numbness, weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control.
Responding to a Spinal Injury
If you experience any pain after an auto accident, seeing a chiropractor at Advanced Health Chiropractic and Massage Therapy in Idaho Falls is necessary for recovery. We specialize in chiropractic care after car accidents and have extensive experience treating symptoms caused by the unique situation of an accident. We use non-invasive methods to promote comfort and help you live a life free of back pain.