Car accidents often result in various injuries, with back pain being one of the most common complaints. If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Denver, your back pain may not always appear immediately. Sometimes, the discomfort develops in the hours, days, or even weeks after the collision.
Untreated back pain can have long-term consequences, making it essential to seek prompt medical care. If you suffer from back pain after a car accident, our Denver chiropractors at Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers can help you find relief.
We specialize in treating back pain caused by car accidents, offering a combination of chiropractic care and physical therapy. We also connect patients with experienced personal injury lawyers. Contact us today for a free consultation!
Common Causes of Back Pain After a Car Accident
Car accidents put significant strain on the body, particularly on the back. The sudden jolt and impact can cause various types of injuries, each affecting different areas of the back. Understanding the common causes of back pain after a car accident can help in getting the right treatment for your recovery.
Whiplash
While whiplash is typically associated with neck injuries, it can also cause pain in the upper back and shoulders. The violent back-and-forth motion that occurs during a collision can strain muscles, ligaments, and discs in the spine, leading to discomfort that can last for weeks or even months if left untreated.
Herniated Disc
The force from a car accident can cause one or more discs in your spine to shift or rupture. A herniated disc occurs when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes out through the tough exterior. This injury often leads to pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back and may radiate to other parts of the body, such as the legs or arms.
Spinal Fracture
More severe accidents can lead to spinal fractures, particularly in the lower back. A compression fracture occurs when the vertebrae are subjected to immense pressure during a car crash, causing them to crack. Symptoms may include sharp pain, difficulty standing or walking, and in severe cases, nerve damage.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Even if you don’t experience a fracture or disc herniation, the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your back can become strained or sprained during an accident. These soft tissue injuries often result in stiffness, limited mobility, and pain.
Facet Joint Injuries
The facet joints are located between the vertebrae and allow for smooth movement of the spine. An accident can lead to these joints becoming injured, inflamed, or dislocated, which can cause localized back pain or referred pain to other areas of the body.
Symptoms of Back Injuries After a Car Accident
Back injuries can present a wide range of symptoms depending on the type and severity of the damage. If you’re experiencing any of the following, it’s important to seek medical attention promptly.
Persistent Pain
If you experience continuous pain in your back that doesn’t improve over time, it could be a sign of a more serious injury, such as a herniated disc or spinal fracture.
Stiffness or Limited Range of Motion
A common symptom of soft tissue injuries, stiffness may make it difficult to bend, twist, or turn your body. This stiffness can worsen over time if not treated.
Numbness or Tingling
Nerve compression caused by a herniated disc or spinal injury may lead to sensations of numbness, tingling, or weakness in your back, legs, or arms.
Sharp, Shooting Pain
Pain that radiates from your back into your legs or arms is often a sign of nerve damage or a herniated disc. This pain can be debilitating and worsen with certain movements, such as sitting, standing, or lifting objects.
Muscle Spasms
Sudden, involuntary muscle contractions or spasms can occur after a car accident, especially if the muscles around the spine have been strained or injured.
How a Chiropractor Treats Back Pain After a Car Accident
Chiropractic care is a highly effective treatment option for back pain. At Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers, our chiropractors specialize in realigning the spine, reducing inflammation, and restoring mobility. Here’s how chiropractic treatment can help:
Spinal Adjustments
Spinal misalignments often occur after a car accident, contributing to pain and discomfort. A chiropractor can perform adjustments to realign the spine, relieving pressure on the nerves and promoting the body’s natural healing process.
Improved Mobility
Chiropractic care not only focuses on pain relief but also on restoring movement to the affected areas. By addressing joint restrictions, chiropractors can help improve your range of motion, allowing you to return to your normal activities more quickly.
Reducing Inflammation
Spinal adjustments help reduce inflammation by restoring proper joint function, which in turn minimizes the production of inflammatory agents in the body. This can help alleviate pain and stiffness.
Non-Invasive and Drug-Free
Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option that focuses on the root cause of back pain rather than masking symptoms with medication. This approach allows for a safer and more sustainable recovery.
How Physical Therapy Can Help Back Pain After an Auto Accident
In addition to chiropractic care, physical therapy plays a crucial role in treating back pain after a car accident. Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers offers personalized physical therapy plans designed to strengthen your back and improve your overall function. Here’s how physical therapy can help:
Strengthening Muscles
Physical therapy focuses on exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting your spine. By building up these muscles, you can reduce the strain on your back, improve posture, and prevent further injuries.
Pain Management
Physical therapists use a variety of techniques to manage pain, including heat and cold therapy, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic exercises. These techniques are designed to reduce inflammation, promote blood flow, and accelerate the healing process.
Restoring Flexibility
After a car accident, you may experience stiffness and reduced flexibility in your back. Physical therapy helps restore flexibility by gradually increasing the range of motion through targeted stretches and exercises.
Improved Coordination and Balance
Car accidents can affect your coordination and balance, especially if you’ve sustained a significant back injury. Physical therapy incorporates balance and coordination exercises to help improve stability and prevent falls or re-injury.
Why Choose Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers?
At Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers, we understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll that a car accident can have on your life. That’s why we offer a range of services designed to make your recovery as smooth and stress-free as possible. Here’s why you should choose us for your back pain treatment:
Free Transport to Appointments
We know how difficult it can be to get to your appointments after a car accident, especially if you’re dealing with back pain. That’s why we offer free transportation to and from our clinics, ensuring you never miss a session and can focus on your recovery.
No Upfront Costs for Treatment
At Hurt911® Colorado, we believe that financial concerns should never stand in the way of your health. That’s why we offer our services with no upfront costs, allowing you to receive the treatment you need without worrying about immediate payments. We work with your personal injury lawyer to ensure that your medical expenses are covered as part of your accident settlement.
Referrals to Car Accident Lawyers
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident often involves more than just medical treatment. You may need legal representation to secure compensation for your injuries, lost wages, and other damages. Hurt911® Colorado partners with experienced car accident lawyers. We can refer you to a trusted attorney who will fight for your rights and help you get the compensation you deserve.
Contact Our Denver Chiropractors Today
Back pain after a car accident in Denver can be debilitating, but with the right care, you can make a full recovery. At Hurt911® Colorado Injury Centers, we offer a comprehensive approach to treating back pain, combining chiropractic care, physical therapy, and legal support to ensure you get the best possible outcome.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen—contact Hurt911® Colorado today to schedule an appointment and start your journey to recovery.
