Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident: When to Get Checked

Quick answer: Back and neck pain after a car accident should be checked, even if it seems mild. MedlinePlus lists a sudden jolt such as a car accident as a cause of back injuries, and it advises getting medical attention for back pain that follows an injury. Pain does not always start at the scene, so pay attention to how you feel over the next few days in Bedford, and get help right away for any of the warning signs in the table below.

The medical information here comes from MedlinePlus, the consumer health site of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. The rest is how we approach these injuries at Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford.

What can a car accident do to your back?

MedlinePlus says back injuries can result from a sudden jolt such as a car accident, and that the lower back is the most common site of back injuries and back pain. Common back injuries include sprains and strains, herniated disks, and fractured vertebrae. These injuries can cause pain and limit how you move.

Can a car accident cause a herniated disc?

It can. MedlinePlus lists herniated disks among the common back injuries, and a sudden jolt such as a car accident among the causes. A herniated or bulging disc can press on a nerve and send sharp pain, numbness or tingling down an arm or a leg. For disc-related pain, our care focuses on taking pressure off the nerve without turning straight to surgery, and spinal decompression is one of the tools we use. Whether you need imaging beyond x-rays, or a referral to a medical doctor, is decided at your exam.

What can a car accident do to your neck?

MedlinePlus notes that falls and accidents, including car accidents, are a common cause of neck pain. Whiplash, a soft tissue injury to the neck, is also called neck sprain or strain. Our article on whiplash symptoms that can show up days later goes into detail.

Why does the pain sometimes start days later?

After a crash, adrenaline can hide pain and delay the warning signs your body is sending. Inflammation in strained muscles and ligaments builds over time. That is why many people feel fine at the scene and stiff the next morning. Waiting too long to get checked can let an injury settle in.

Which signs mean you need care right away?

MedlinePlus lists symptoms that call for contacting a provider right away. Some of them, with what we suggest:

Sign	What to do
Back pain after a severe blow or fall	Contact a provider right away; call 911 if it is severe
Weakness or numbness in the buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis	Contact a provider right away
Loss of control of urine or stool	Go to an emergency room
Pain traveling down your legs below the knee	Contact a provider right away
Severe pain and you cannot get comfortable	Contact a provider right away
Difficulty walking or keeping your balance	Contact a provider right away
Stiffness, soreness or a dull ache that is not improving	Book an exam in the next few days

MedlinePlus also says to call a provider if back pain is severe or does not improve after three days. Chiropractic care is not emergency care, so for anything on the urgent list, start with an emergency room or your doctor.

When should you book a chiropractic visit?

For neck pain, back pain, stiffness or headaches that start after a crash and are not an emergency, book an exam within the first few days. A prompt exam also means your injuries are written down close to the date of the accident, which matters for any insurance claim.

What happens at your first visit?

At Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford, your first visit follows a set order:

1. Brief paperwork about you and your injury.
2. A consultation with the doctor about what happened and what hurts.
3. A history and examination, with specialized tests to see which tissues are affected and to what extent.
4. X-rays in the office, if your condition calls for them.
5. Your first treatment, usually the same day: spinal adjustments, physical therapies and soft tissue therapies.
6. Instructions for home, such as ice or heat, positions to avoid, and stretches.

A follow-up visit within 1 to 2 days includes a complete review of findings.

What if the pain travels down your leg?

Pain that starts in the lower back and travels down a leg can be sciatica, a symptom of a problem with the sciatic nerve. Read sciatica basics for the causes and warning signs, and mention any leg pain, numbness or tingling at your exam.

What should you avoid while you recover?

MedlinePlus says staying in bed for more than one or two days can make back pain worse. Avoid heavy lifting and long periods in one position, keep a short log of your symptoms, and keep your medical records and bills for your insurer.

Why choose Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford for back and neck pain?

It is in our name. We treat both car accident injuries and everyday back pain and neck pain, with 30 years of treating injury cases. Dr. Richard Chatfield, D.C. consults with medical colleagues on serious or complicated cases and provides M.D. referrals when you need one. We accept most insurance and do all the paperwork. If you were just in a wreck, start with what to do after a car accident in Bedford.

We are at 2803 Central Dr in Bedford, by appointment. Call (817) 283-6100 or request an appointment.

This article is general information, not medical or legal advice. In an emergency, call 911.