When in a car accident it can be difficult to determine whether you were injured or not, due to the adrenaline most people are experiencing in that moment. Injuries left untreated from a car accident can lead to back pain with an increase in pain over several days, weeks, or longer. While you might not be experiencing any injuries after a car crash it is always a good idea to get checked out just to be sure. If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident and are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it would be a good idea to get checked out by an expert in order to determine if there is something more serious.
Neck Pain or Stiffness
A common condition associated specifically with car accidents is whiplash. It is a vague term associated with any neck and shoulder pain that is associated with a high impact injury. Oftentimes it happens after a car accident involving a rear-end. If you experience whiplash that doesn’t start to feel better or go away after a couple of days you should consider making an appointment to get an X-ray, MRI, or CT Scan in order to determine the cause of pain.
Headaches
Although headaches do tend to last several days after a car accident to begin with, they are often the first sign of a more serious issue. Headaches signify a head or neck injury, concussions, or even blood clots to the brain.
Changes in Function or Personality
If you or someone close to you notice a change in your personality or function it is important to seek further medical attention because that can be a sign of a traumatic brain injury from the car accident. Some changes in personality to look for are irritability, moodiness, or general depression. Changes in function can include having trouble focussing and thinking, moving, or looking around in ways that weren't an issue before experiencing the accident.
Numbness
Whiplash injuries may lead to feelings of numbness in the arms and hands. Usually, not being able to feel in those areas is due to damage found in the spinal column.
Back Pain
One of the leading causes for chronic back pain are motor vehicle accidents. The back pain itself might have multiple causes like pinched nerves, pulled muscles, or worn down ligaments. In some cases your vertebrae, the bones making up your spine, might also be damaged. More than half of people who experience a car accident have some form of low bain pain.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for an extended period of time you might want to visit your local doctor who specializes in back pain. If you are in the New Hampshire area and experiencing chronic pain after sustaining a motor vehicle accident, the pain physicians at the Pain Specialty Group can help. Contact us here to schedule and appointment in order to learn how to alleviate your pain.
