If you’ve been in a traffic collision recently, it is likely that you’re experiencing even a minimal amount of pain. Whether you’ve been in a major collision or a minor fender bender, it isn’t uncommon to develop discomfort immediately after or several days following the accident. One of the most common injuries you may experience following a traffic collision is back pain.
Whether this pain is immediate or takes several days to develop, back pain after a traffic collision can significantly disrupt your life. At Elite Chiropractic, we understand how much back pain can impact everyday activities. If you were in a traffic collision recently and have developed back pain, keep reading to learn why this pain occurs and how you can treat it.
How Does a Traffic Collision Affect Your Body?
When you are in a traffic collision, your body undergoes a significant amount of stress which may result in a variety of injuries. It isn’t uncommon for individuals who’ve been in a car accident to develop whiplash, bulging discs, nerve pain, and much more severe injuries. Often, the more severe the car accident, the more significant the injury may be. While some of these injuries may appear immediately following the accident, some may take several days to develop.
Why Do You Have Back Pain After a Traffic Collision?
While there are many injuries you may experience from an accident, back pain after a traffic collision is one of the most common injuries. No matter how your vehicle is hit, the sudden change in force can abruptly jolt your body backward or forward, leading to significant trauma.
The sudden force and movement can place strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your back, resulting in pain. This force may also cause the discs in your back to compress or bulge. If you had previously experienced minor back pain prior to your collision, these problems may be exacerbated by the accident.
How Can You Treat Back Pain After a Traffic Collision?
Although you may not think your back pain after a traffic collision is significant enough to seek medical attention, it is important to reach out to a trusted medical professional as soon as possible following your accident. Failing to seek medical attention may lead to chronic pain and discomfort that makes regular activity more difficult.
Seeking care from your primary care provider is your best first step following a traffic collision. However, seeing your primary care provider isn’t the only way to treat back pain after a traffic collision. You should also treat this pain with plenty of rest, appointments with a physical therapist, and check-ins with your trusted chiropractor to begin the healing process.
How a Chiropractor Can Help You Recover?
If you are experiencing back pain after a traffic collision, your chiropractor can help you recover from this discomfort, allowing you to return to regular activities. Some of the most common treatments your chiropractor may recommend if you have back pain after a traffic collision include:
Spinal Decompression
One of the best ways to treat back pain after a traffic collision is by undergoing spinal decompression. This non-invasive treatment involves laying on a special table while your chiropractor uses devices to gently stretch and decompress your spine. This technique helps promote the healing of herniated or bulging discs, alleviating pressure surrounding your nerves and reducing overall back pain. It can also improve circulation and nutrient delivery to the affected areas, leading to faster healing.
Spinal Corrections
Spinal corrections, also known as spinal manipulation or adjustment, is a hands-on technique that is designed to realign the vertebrae to relieve pain and improve function. Your chiropractor will apply controlled force to misaligned areas, restoring alignment and mobility. By alleviating pressure on your nerves and reducing inflammation, this correction enhances your body’s ability to heal. While these treatments are reliable, they may work best when coupled with prescribed exercises and lifestyle changes.
Laser Therapy
Class IV laser therapy is a great way to treat back pain after a traffic collision. This method involves the use of high-powered, Class IV lasers that emit concentrated light energy into targeted areas of the back. The light penetrates deep into your tissue, stimulating cellular metabolism and increasing circulation. This treatment reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and accelerates tissue repair. This treatment is incredibly beneficial but may work best in conjunction with other chiropractic treatments, including adjustments and spinal decompression.
Spinal Traction Therapy
Chiropractic spinal traction therapy is a non-invasive technique aimed at improving spinal mobility, which is significantly impacted by traffic collisions. During these chiropractic appointments, you lie on a traction table while your chiropractor applies controlled traction force to your spine. This traction decompresses the spinal discs, alleviating pressure on nerves and promoting proper alignment. It also improves blood flow to the area, helping your tissues recover more quickly from the injury.
Recovering from a Traffic Collision with Elite Chiropractic
If you are planning to visit a chiropractor to treat back pain after a traffic collision, it is important that you work with a reliable practitioner, like our team at Elite Chiropractic. Our team has years of experience helping residents across the Wenatchee, WA, area recover from traffic collisions, and we’re confident that we can do the same for you. But our work doesn’t end there. Our team can help you recover from sports injuries, sciatica, concussions, and much more. If you would like to speak to a member of our team about scheduling an appointment to treat back pain after a traffic collision, don’t hesitate to call our office at 509-436-8530.
