It only takes seconds for a normal day to turn into something catastrophic. Over 19,000 people died in car accidents in the first half of 2023. Even the safest drivers can experience a car crash due to someone else’s negligence.
Many collisions can result in substantial complications, such as having to nurse a back injury. Managing lower back pain after auto accident injuries is crucial, but not everyone understands the importance of doing so or why it’s so important.
We’ve created a brief guide with the key information you need to know before moving forward. Let’s take a closer look at what to consider.
It Documents Your Injuries
Documenting your injuries after a car accident is crucial for proving how badly you were hurt. This can later be used as evidence if you choose to take legal action against the other party. Without medical records, you won’t have a strong foundation for your claim.
To clarify, imagine you experienced substantial lower back injuries after a collision. You don’t go to the doctor and instead do your best to manage them on your own.
Months later, your injuries have somewhat healed but still affect your quality of life. You then decide to take legal action against the other driver.
However, their lawyer argues that your injuries are unrelated to the car crash since you never sought medical attention. Keep this obligation in mind when moving forward, as it could dictate whether you receive the compensation you deserve.
It Prevents Problems From Evolving
Back issues can progress into something more serious if you don’t pursue the right treatment. What started as a minor nuisance can eventually turn into a debilitating condition.
Seeking treatment can help you identify potential concerns and take action to keep them in check. It’s essential to remember that you’ll need professional insight to achieve this. Don’t make the mistake of assuming you’re fine because you don’t have serious issues immediately after the accident.
It Helps You Manage Pain
Lower back pain can easily impact your quality of life. Daily tasks that used to require little effort could become difficult or even impossible.
Left unchecked, chronic pain can impact your mental health. It’s not uncommon for people with lingering injuries to slip into depression. This is especially true if their health problems prevent them from pursuing their favorite activities (such as playing sports).
Types of Back Injuries
There’s no shortage of back injuries that can manifest after a car accident. This is true even if the collision wasn’t particularly serious. Listed below are some of the most notable.
Lumbar Fractures
This is one of the most notable back injuries that can occur from car accidents. When your body thrusts forward during the collision, your seatbelt will keep your lower body in place.
There’s a chance a lumbar fracture will happen as a result. Key symptoms include moderate to severe back pain that worsens substantially with movement. Sometimes, a lumbar fracture can affect your spinal cord or nerves.
If so, you could experience weakness in your limbs, tingling/numbness, or bladder issues. Lumbar fractures require careful medical oversight to heal properly, so don’t hesitate to seek treatment.
Soft Tissue Injuries
These include sprains and strains throughout the back. Soft tissue injuries are more common than ones that affect the vertebrae or nerves, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be serious. Strains are tearing or stretching of the muscle.
They can result in severe pain, muscle spasms, swelling, and cramping. Sprains are injuries to the ligaments, which are tissues that hold your joints in place. Symptoms of sprains are similar to those of strains, but bruising is more likely to occur.
Herniated Disks
Spinal disks sit between two spinal vertebrae, and they can become injured during a collision. With enough force, these disks could bulge out. This is referred to as a herniated disk.
This can cause severe back pain by pressing against nearby nerves or your spinal cord. In rare cases, herniated disks can lead to numbness, weakness, or bladder problems.
Finding a Professional
Working with a professional personal injury chiropractor is essential for managing your back pain, but not all are created equal. It’s imperative to research their past reputation.
This will provide valuable insight into what you can expect from them. There should be no shortage of positive feedback from satisfied patients.
However, it’s imperative to keep an eye out for fake reviews, as well. These are often posted in batches and contain many of the same keywords. What’s their pricing structure like?
You often get what you pay for, so it’s never recommended to choose the cheapest chiropractic care providers. You don’t have to go with the most expensive options, though. There’s a point of diminishing returns regarding what you pay.
Somewhere in the middle of the price range can help you meet your needs without stretching your budget. Ask about what insurance coverage they accept, as well.
The last thing you want is to encounter financial surprises due to not having the coverage you anticipated. Are they enthusiastic about providing their services?
Working with someone who isn’t interested in helping you overcome your challenges can cause you to fall short of your goals. You can assess their enthusiasm by paying attention to how many questions they ask about your situation.
Ideally, they’ll want to learn as much as possible. With enough due diligence, you shouldn’t have an issue getting the best chiropractic adjustments for your needs.
Handle Lower Back Pain After an Auto Accident
While dealing with lower back pain after an auto accident can be overwhelming, it’s essential to take action as soon as possible. This will help ensure you make the best decisions for your situation and avoid problems you may have otherwise encountered. Just be sure you visit the right professional.
Our team at Anthem Chiropractic prides itself on helping our patients live better lives free of pain. Dr. Day has extensive experience in accident recovery and aims to get you back on track as soon as possible.
We also provide lifestyle advice that can help you stay as healthy as possible. You’ll learn more about how we can help when you schedule a consultation today.