The Most Common Neck and Back Injuries After Car Wrecks
The damage done to your car is immediately visible when you are in an auto collision. A crumpled bumper makes it evident that an accident has occurred, but the damage done to your body is often less obvious. You may walk away without a scratch, but collision injuries are often devastating despite their invisibility. Suppose you have recently endured a car accident. In that case, it is crucial to understand how it impacts your body and how to get treatment for your injuries — even if they are not immediately apparent.
How Does a Car Accident Affect Your Body?
When a car accident occurs, the impact of the collision forces your body forward. If you’re wearing a seatbelt, your body will be thrown towards it, and if you aren’t, your body will be forced into the dashboard. Either way, the force of impact imposes a strain on your body that can cause several injuries. If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort following an auto accident, one of the following injuries may be to blame. You should seek treatment as soon as possible if you experience any symptoms of an injury.
Sprains and/or Strains
A sprain or strain can easily occur during the impact of a car accident. This injury occurs when soft tissue is injured when a joint is overextended, its ligament is damaged, or a muscle is overextended. When your body is impacted during a collision, tissues and muscles are often injured, resulting in inflammation and pain. In more serious cases, the injury causes a tear in the tissue or muscle. Some of the areas of the body that most commonly sustain sprains and strains after an accident include the following:
- Lower back
- Neck
- Shoulders
- Wrists and arms
Whether you have a strain or a sprain, and no matter where it is, auto accident chiropractors can help you heal. Seeking treatment from a car accident doctor in Brooklyn, NY is essential to overcoming your injuries following a collision.
Whiplash
The word “whiplash” illustrates the nature of the injury it describes — imagine the cracking of a whip, and then imagine that same motion applied to your neck. Whiplash is one of the most serious and most common injuries associated with auto collisions. If it is not treated promptly, it can leave sufferers with lifelong pain in their neck and body. Whiplash occurs when your spine is jerked forward, and spinal ligaments are torn or sprained. Experienced pain management doctors in Brooklyn, NY, can provide whiplash pain relief and treatment.
Concussions
Of all the injuries resulting from an auto collision, a concussion is one of the more serious. When you experience the impact of a car accident, your head may be forced forward into the windshield, dashboard, or steering wheel. Though this injury primarily affects the head, it also typically causes neck pain. You should see a neurologist in Brooklyn immediately if you experience any of these symptoms of a concussion:
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Ringing in ears
- Blurred vision
- Pain throughout neck
These symptoms can take 24 to 28 hours to appear, so it is imperative to pay attention to your body and ensure that you are not at risk of concussion following an accident.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs can result from an accident when the impact dislodges a spinal disc and causes it to protrude. The dislodged disc can then pinch nerves, causing excruciating pain in the leg and back. Herniated disc injuries that are not treated may cause permanent nerve damage. Seeing a neck and back specialist in Brooklyn, NY, is one of the best ways to get treatment. Chiropractic care for back pain and physical therapy for back pain can minimize the discomfort caused by a herniated disc and help you make a full recovery.
Get the Treatment You Need After a Collision
Metro Healthcare Partners is the top provider of comprehensive post-collision care in the greater Brooklyn, NY area. A staff of trained professionals specializes in treatments such as orthopedics, neurology, chiropractic, and pain management. Metro Healthcare Partners is dedicated to helping victims of auto accidents recover, and a convenient Brooklyn location makes it easy to access care. We accept no-fault insurance, workers’ compensation, ann most major medical plans. Schedule an appointment to get physical therapy for lower back pain or a neck injury after a car accident.