Types Of Back Pain After An Accident
Back pain from a car accident does not always show up right away. Often, your elevated adrenaline level from the accident masks the pain for several hours afterward. Sometimes the pain may not show up for days or weeks. However, it is important to see a doctor about your back pain as soon as it manifests or, better yet, have a medical evaluation right away after the accident to check for any resulting injuries.
Car accidents can result in many different types of back injuries. Here are a few of them, as well as what to do about them.
1. Spinal Cord Injuries
These are the most serious back injuries that can result from a car accident. They can result in permanent paralysis, although sometimes it is possible to reverse the damage if treated early. Therefore, it is important to go immediately to the emergency room for any symptoms. Injuries to the spinal cord can cause numbness, tingling, or paralysis in your legs or arms, depending on the level of the injury.
2. Herniated Disks
A herniated disk can also cause numbness or tingling in your legs and arms, as well as intense pain, because of the pressure that it puts on the roots of your peripheral nerves as they exit from your spinal cord. Because the symptoms of a herniated disk may be similar to those of a spinal cord injury, you may need to seek emergency evaluation to rule out the latter even though a herniated disk itself is not a medical emergency.
Disks are small cartilaginous cushions that occur between the vertebrae of your spine. The inner layer is soft and gelatinous, while the outer layer is hard and rubbery. Herniation occurs when the outer layer tears and allows the inner layer to leak out.
3. Lumbar Spine Injuries
The lumbar spine is another name for the lower back. Injuries to the lumbar spine from a car accident are very common. Use pain and symptoms as a guide to determine whether you need to go to the emergency room or can be treated as an outpatient.
If your doctor thinks it would be helpful, you may seek out chiropractic care for your low back pain from the accident in lieu of, or in addition to, traditional medical treatment. Chiropractic adjustment has been proven effective for many types of low back pain. However, you should probably see a medical doctor before going to the chiropractor.
If another driver was responsible for your accident, his or her insurance company should cover your medical expenses, including those related to emergency room visits and chiropractic care. Attorneys can help you through the claims process.