Auto Accident Treatment

Neck Pain: Commonly referred to as “whiplash” is caused by sudden forward, backward, or side movement of the head.  This sudden movement can cause tearing of the muscles and ligaments in the neck and may also include injury to spinal joints, discs and nerves.

Mid Back: The thoracic spine is most commonly injured as a result of most seat belt designs.  As the torso moves forward the seat belt locks and the torso is forced to stop at the end of the shoulder strap.  Because the shoulder strap crosses only one shoulder (usually the left), the side without a strap (usually right) is able to travel forward further which results in a forward flexing and twisting injury to the mid back.  If you were in the passenger seat this shoulder strap crosses in the opposite direction from this example, but the mechanics of a twisting injury remain the same.

Lower Back: The lumbar spine is also frequently injured, but the mechanism differs from the above.  As the torso and pelvis move forward they are stopped by the lap belt. However, the torso continues to move with a shearing force in the lumbar spine resulting in lumbar disc injuries.

Upper & Lower Extremities: Shoulders, arms, hands, fingers, legs, ankles, feet, and toes are also commonly injured while trying to brace oneself during impact.  These injuries are typically seen by drivers and passengers not wearing a seat belt. In most cases, the actual damage is to the cervical and/or lumbar areas of the spine.

Symptoms May Include: Headache, neck & shoulder pain, low back pain, arm & leg pain (including the feet and hands), pins & needles sensation, numbness, disc problems muscle spasms, fatigue, decreased ability to handle stress, memory impairment, neuropathies, PTSD and more.

Spinal injuries as a result of auto accidents frequently damage a number of pain sensitive structures located in the spinal region.  When these tissues are injured pain and discomfort and often physical limitation is experienced.  Damage to these structures often results in tissue inflammation, edema, microscopic hemorrhage, and the release of noxious chemicals such as histamine, prostaglandins, substance P, and kinins which further hypersensitize already painful and injured tissues.  When spinal injury occurs spinal muscles often reflexively spasm to protect the area from further injury – whether or not the muscles are injured.  The use of pain medications and/or muscle relaxants often mask these symptoms and can often prolong recovery times, therefore their use must be closely monitored.