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279 people lost their lives in 2023 due to car accident in Utah and more than 1000 were severely injured. In injury cases, lower back pain after car accident in Utah is a common scene. People suffer from minor lower back pain but with time the severity may increase.
After a car accident, lower back pain may increase due to muscle strains, whiplash, dysfunction of the facet joint etc. The symptoms may include severe pain, stiffness and muscle spasms. As injured people experience one or multiple lower back pain symptoms, they must immediately seek medical help.
The doctor will find their actual reason and level of the lower back pain. Also, an injured person needs to take enough rest, apply physical therapy, chiropractic treatment for spinal adjustment, etc. It’s critical to adapt to a good posture and they even need to use braces to support their lower and upper back to cure faster. It’s also good to choose a back brace for back support.
What Causes Lower Back Pain After a Car Accident in Millcreek?
A car accident or auto accident involves sudden, forceful movement of the body. So, it can cause different injuries to the lower back. The most common reasons for pain in lower back after car accidents include muscle strains, whiplash, ligament sprains, etc.
The lower back muscles are like rubber bands. When stretched too far or too quickly, they can tear. It will cause the muscle to strain too far. As the muscle strains, you will experience pain and stiffness. With time, the stiffness will increase.
Ligaments are tough bands that connect your bones. A car accident will apply more than enough force on the ligaments. It can overstretch or tear the ligaments, resulting in back pain. The damage level of the ligaments will determine the severity of the pain due to sprains.
Herniated discs are between the vertebrae and work soft cushions. The impact of an auto accident can cause these discs to bulge or rupture. When the discs bulge or rupture, it will press on nerves. The pressure increases during movement, and posture changes. It will cause lower back pain after auto accidents.
Facet joints are small joints and help your spine move. Injury or inflammation in these joints can lead to lumbar pain after car accidents. If the facet joint dysfunction, it can even lead to immobility, at the worst scenario. So, immediate treatment is critical to heal dysfunction in the facet joint, the root cause of lower back pain.
Whiplash is primarily a neck injury. It is like the cracking of the neck or shoulder. The force of a whiplash can also affect the lower back. When the severity of the whiplash increases, it will cause pain and discomfort around the lower back pain.
Lower back pain often starts as a minor problem that most people will overlook. So, it’s crucial that you know the symptoms of lower back pain after car accidents to recover from it faster.
Pain: The pain can be from a dull ache to a sharp, shooting pain. It might worsen with movement for back pain following car accidents.
Stiffness: You might find it difficult to bend, twist, or stand up straight due to post car accident back pain.
Muscle Spasms: People will experience sudden and sharp pain because of the involuntary contractions of their back muscles.
Numbness or Tingling: Sometimes, the pain is severe or associated with nerve damage. When it happens, you might experience tingling or numbness. The sensations will be in your legs or buttocks.
Weakness: There can be difficulty in standing, walking, or lifting objects. All these might indicate a more serious injury than regular lower back pain.
Lower back pain following car accidents can significantly impact your daily life. Many cases resolve with conservative treatment. However, proper diagnosis and treatment plan to recover from lower back pain is essential.
A healthcare provider can accurately diagnose the underlying cause of your back pain. You can go to an accident and injury chiropractor for a quick assessment of the injury. They can assess your actual situation and rule out serious conditions.
Moreover, car injury accident treatment will recommend appropriate treatments for sore back after a car accident. Plus, they will provide guidance on managing your symptoms.
You may experience that your back hurts after car accidents. Often it happens as your muscle and tissue don’t get enough rest to recover from auto injuries. So, you must allow your body to take rest and give it enough time to recover. Avoid strenuous activities that exacerbate your pain.
However, auto accident doctors usually don’t recommend complete bed rest. It can weaken your back muscles. So, along with rest, focus on limited movement to keep your muscles working.
Ice therapy, cold water therapy or cryotherapy are helpful to treat lumbar pain. You can apply ice packs to the injured area. Keep the ices on the lower lumbar region for 15-20 minutes every few hours. The cod compression will reduce swelling and inflammation.
Ice therapy benefits are particularly visible in the initial days after the car accident.
After the initial inflammation subsides, heat therapy for back pain is beneficial too. You can apply a heating pad or warming pad on the lumbar region. The heat can relax muscles. It will improve blood flow to reduce stiffness.
Also, you might use a hot water bottle or a heating pad for 15-20 minutes at a time. So, instead of being confused between ice or heat, use both effectively for your lower back pain.
Many auto car accident doctors will suggest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). It mostly includes ibuprofen or naproxen. NSAIDS for back pain will reduce pain and inflammation.
Acetaminophen can also be used for back pain relief. Always follow the recommended dosage for lower back pain medication. Or else, it can impact otherwise.
A physical therapist might be effective for relieving lower back pain. The therapist can develop a customized exercise program consulting with your chiropractor. The regular exercises will strengthen your back muscles.
Plus, physical therapy for lower back pain will improve flexibility. Physical therapy exercises for the back will also correct postural imbalances. These exercises reduce pain and prevent future injuries. So, it is crucial to undergo physiotherapy management of sciatica for faster recovery.
Some people find relief through spinal manipulations. Car accident chiropractic can restore joint movement, release stored trauma, etc. So, you should look for a car accident chiropractor near me and consult them faster.
However, it's essential to consult with your auto accident doctor before starting chiropractic care. It will ensure suitable chiropractic car accident injury treatment.
Massage therapy for lower back pain is beneficial. Often, gentle massage can relax muscles. Back pressure point massages will recover deep tissues. It will further reduce tension in the lower back. So, massage therapy will provide temporary relief from lower lumbar pain.
Proper posture will relieve your lower back from pain. It will also stop further strain on your back. So, you should maintain good posture while sitting, standing, and lifting objects. Also, maintain a straight posture as you sit, stand and work on your work desk.
Your work environment should support good posture. It should also minimize strain on your back. In most cases, car accident chiropractors will recommend ergonomic chairs, desks, and keyboard setups. It is beneficial to relieve lower lumbar pain after accident.
Back brace for lower back pain can be helpful too. You can also consider a back brace for herniated discs to recover faster.
Chronic stress can exacerbate lower back pain. So, combine meditation, deep breathing, or yoga into your daily routine. It is essential to manage stress and improve overall well-being to relieve lower back pain faster.
Treatment for lower back pain after car accident in Utah is critical. You must ensure proper back support through back braces, focus on stress management and good posture.
It is essential to look for a chiropractor for a car accident near me and an auto injury doctor to follow their suggestions. You should also focus on proper back pain medication to recover fast for a stress-free life.