Around 30% of car accident injuries treated in emergency rooms involve back or spinal injuries. Even a minor accident can cause back pain at the time of the collision and for years in the future.
Statistics and studies show that about one million adults experience whiplash every year after getting into a wreck, even in collisions where the drivers were going under ten mph.
After getting into a car accident, you may experience physical pain depending on the collision’s severity. Back pain is common and can range from mild discomfort to chronic pain that you experience consistently. It’s important to treat back pain as quickly as possible so you can restore your mobility and decrease the chances of other health issues.
If you get into a wreck, experienced car accident lawyers serving Texas can evaluate your case and help you get the settlement you deserve. For example, suppose you’re suffering from back pain. In that case, your settlement will likely include pain and suffering along with the cost of your medical bills, lost wages, transportation costs to and from your physical therapist, and more. Once you receive medical attention after the auto accident, schedule a consultation with a qualified lawyer. They will help you find out how much your case is worth and tell you all about the necessary steps to take to settle the matter as efficiently as possible.
There are plenty of things you can do about back pain after your car accident to get you back to doing the things you love, and many of them cost a lot, so you can consider your legal consultation among the “treatments” to choose to alleviate your pain.
Get Rest and Apply Ice and Heat
You must rest and give your back time to heal. If necessary, take time from work to ensure you’re not on your feet for hours or sitting at a desk all day. Heat and ice can reduce pain in your back muscles. You may prefer an ice pack on your back, or heat may work better for you. It’s best to test both options and see which one is most effective.
You can apply ice packs to your back immediately after the accident to help the swelling down. Wait a few days before applying heat since heat can lead to bruising or more inflammation if applied too soon. After a few days, heat can relax your muscles and make it easier for you to move. Try a hot water bottle to improve blood flow and get rid of muscle tension.
Low-Intensity Exercise
When you’re in pain, you may not want to move when you’re in pain, but a gentle workout can reduce pain after a car accident. Try walking around your neighborhood a few times a day to keep your muscle strength and improve your circulation. This simple exercise will ease the tension in your muscles. Water aerobics can also be helpful to make your back muscles more flexible without putting additional pressure on your muscles. Try not to bend down too often or lift weights since exercises that require these motions can put additional strain on the back muscles and prolong healing time.
Painkillers
You can use over-the-counter painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen to reduce swelling and pain. However, you should speak with your doctor if you need to take painkillers for more than a week after your accident. It could be an indication that your injury is severe and requires long-term care.
Once a doctor evaluates your injury, you may receive a prescription for stronger painkillers. Be sure to discuss any possible side effects with your doctor. For example, some stronger painkillers cause drowsiness, so you won’t be able to drive while taking them. Talk to your doctor about painkiller addiction, too – it is a widespread problem that no one should take lightly.
Massage and Physical Therapy
When you visit a massage or a physical therapist, you’ll be introduced to simple exercises that you can complete during your appointment and at home. Many of these exercises are safe for you to do every day so you can heal your back muscles. In addition, there are a variety of massages, exercises, and stretches that will improve your flexibility and enhance the strength of your back muscles to support the area around your injury.
Manual therapy may also be part of your treatment. Manual therapy can reduce tension and promote circulation to reduce or eliminate muscle cramps or spasms.
Be sure to tell your massage therapist that you’ve suffered a back injury because of a car accident. Your therapist will make the necessary adjustments to help you perform exercises that won’t worsen your injury.
Chiropractic Therapy
If your current doctor recommends it, you should see a chiropractor for your back pain. You can recover safely without undergoing major surgery or taking heavy painkillers for prolonged periods while enhancing your body posture and musculoskeletal condition. Chiropractic care can also uncover subtle or hidden injuries you suffered in the car accident, an added reason to pursue such treatment and keep your attorney in the loop. In case of settlement negotiations or a trial, your chiropractor can testify as an expert witness on your behalf.
Bottom Line
An ice pack and some anti-inflammatory medication can do the trick in some car crash victims. Nevertheless, others need long-term physical therapy, medical treatments, exercise, diets, and even psychological counseling to deal with the trauma and the physical/mental pain associated with the traumatic experience. The rule of thumb in such cases is seeking immediate professional help from doctors and therapists. The next step is to find a lawyer in your area who can help you build a case and claim compensation from the party responsible for your injuries.
With a BA in communications and paralegal experience, Irma C. Dengler decided to combine her skills. In the past, when she was involved in proceedings of her own, she witnessed firsthand the weight of legal language. A convoluted terminology can easily disarm the average American. Therefore, she set off to empower her readers by making the law more accessible to them. Although she has covered all areas of civil and criminal law, insurance-related issues, and her area of specialty are personal injury cases
