Neck Pain from an Auto Accident

Motor vehicle accidents cause injury to the spinal joints in the neck, leading to tension and spasm of the surrounding muscles. Studies show that approximately 40-50% of those injured in car accidents suffer from symptoms years later. Trauma from a motor vehicle accident can cause damage to the ligaments in the neck resulting in decreased range of motion, neck stiffness, soreness, and pain. Muscular tightness in both the neck and upper back, or pinching of the nerves the cervical spine leads to neck pain and discomfort.

Other factors that contribute to the severity of neck pain vary. Even low-speed collisions can cause strain to the neck in an auto accident, no matter how much damage the vehicles sustained.

Causes of Neck Pain

When you are in an auto accident, your vehicle changes direction or stops suddenly, but your body doesn’t. Your head is jolted forward or backward, and your neck absorbs the pressure, which can cause tissue and muscle strain as well as spinal misalignment. This strain can cause pain when moving your head from days to weeks after the accident.

This pain can also indicate more severe injury to your muscles, ligaments, soft tissues and cervical spine. It is usually possible to treat this pain with medication or surgery, but spinal adjustment and massage therapy can often eliminate the need.

How We Evaluate Neck Pain

There are two assessments a chiropractor will make when a patient is suffering from neck pain after an auto accident. The first is a physical assessment, including a close examination of x-rays or MRI scans and a physical examination. The second is a pain assessment. Measuring pain is difficult because it is highly subjective and therefore difficult to communicate. An open conversation between doctor and patient is critical to establish a baseline and quantify levels of pain a patient is experiencing.

During these conversations, a chiropractor will determine if a patient’s pain is intermittent or constant, the type of pain (stabbing, throbbing, burning, etc.), pain triggers, times of day when pain most often occurs, and the level of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Doctors will also inquire about medical history, medications, and previous treatments.

In this way, a doctor can effectively assess a patient’s condition and determine the best course of treatment to repair injury and relieve pain.

Neck pain is treatable, and they do not have to slow you down. A chiropractor can help you get back to normal, depending on your condition. Schedule a free consultation today.