Back Pain after Car Accidents
Car accidents are associated with negative health effects, including injuries which cause back pain. Every year in the United States, more than 2.5 million people are taken to the emergency room due to car accidents (Atlantic Brain & Spine, 2018). In most cases, victims begin experiencing pain in their back or neck afterwards. Discogenic and facet joint pain are the most common types of pain experienced after the injuries, but timely physical therapy helps to manage the pain or even eliminate it, thus giving patients a chance for complete recovery.
Back injuries caused by car accidents are debilitating and extremely painful. The most common injuries generating pain in the back are facet joint and disc injuries (Goguen, n.d). Discogenic pain occurs due to damage in the spinal disc. The pain is intense, especially when one or more spinal discs are damaged (Goguen, n.d). Discogenic pain is attributed to the gradual deterioration of the condition or due to sudden trauma. On the other hand, facet joint pain is associated with spasms, which may force the spine to get out of the alignment which leads to back pain (Goguen, n.d). Facet joint pain can also be caused by nerve irritation or aggravation of the joint. Back pain after car accidents is very common and may not develop immediately (Goguen, n.d). Therefore, one should get a medical checkup after being involved in a motor accident.
Physical therapy is significant in treating back injuries if the episodes of pain have been lasting between two to six weeks. One of the primary benefits of physical therapy is the therapists’ approach that considers the patient’s age, body type, lifestyle, prevailing health conditions, and response to various types of movement (Spine Works Institute, n.d.). In addition, physical therapy considers the gait as well as the sitting and lying position, which helps in suggesting the appropriate exercise for reducing the pain. Moreover, physical therapists restore the patients’ mobility by identifying the root cause of back pain (Spine Works Institute, n.d.). In some cases, physical therapy may even help avoid surgery since the approach attempts to resolve back pain problems conservatively. Physical therapy decreases the risk of further injury if the victim is required to do repetitive movements (Spine Works Institute, n.d.). Physical therapists help patients determine the best plan for managing back pain depending on possible causal factors.
After the accident, one should seek physical therapy to maintain the future quality of life. Regardless of the seriousness of a car accident, the exerted force has the potential of causing some damage (Premiere Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, 2020). Physical therapy is an essential part of the recovery process. A patient may require assistance in reducing stiffness and pain, as well as in gaining flexibility and strength, which is possible only with the help of a specialist. Physical therapy is crucial in preventing injuries that may cause long-term damage (Premiere Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, 2020). Rehabilitation exercises ensure the movement of blood and oxygen to the damaged regions, thereby enhancing the healing process. The key to reducing pain after an accident is engagement in physical exercises with the assistance of a therapist (Premiere Chiropractic & Sports Medicine, 2020). Physical therapy after an accident helps with quick recovery and elimination of back pain.
Back pain as a consequence of a car accident is common and results from sustained injuries. The most common types of back pain are discogenic pain, which arises from spinal disc damage, and facet joint pain, which is caused by misalignment or irritation of the joints. In these cases, physical therapy is essential as it allows to solve the problem using a conservative approach. After an accident, a victim should engage in physical therapy regardless of the severity of their health condition to ensure the quality of life does not suffer in future.