Back injuries caused by a slow-speed auto collision can be painful and interfere with your normal life. Although the crash itself may appear to be relatively innocuous—with minimal impact on the vehicle and no broken bones—the forces involved can still cause acute strain on your spinal cord, discs, muscles, tendons and nerves.

In the case of low-impact car accident back injuries, it is crucial to consult a physician if you suffer from back pain. The early detection of catching injuries significantly increases your chances of complete recovery without recurring pain and disability in the long run.

Whiplash and Sprains Are Common

The two most common whiplash and sprains caused by minor collisions are back problems. Whiplash is a condition that develops when your head is whipped back and forth from the impact, over-stretching the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your neck and upper back. Sprains are caused by the same soft tissues getting partially torn as a result of sudden forceful twisting or bending movements.

Whiplash and sprains are typically classified as strains. The main characteristics of their symptoms are pain, muscle stiffness, spasms, swelling, inflammation, tenderness and restricted movement in the injured site. These wounds are very painful yet leave no visible signs of injury.

Herniated Discs Are Also Possible

Spinal discs act as mini shock absorbers between vertebrae. They have outer rigid cartilaginous coverings and inner gelatinous cores. The forces of car crash can lead to the rupture or herniation of discs. This implies that the inner gel oozes through weakened zones in the outer coat just as jelly comes out of a doughnut.

Symptoms often associated with herniated discs include sharp back pain, numbness, tingling sensations, muscle weakness, and shooting leg pains into the buttocks. In extreme cases, individuals lose bladder and bowel control. Disc injuries are often need to be treated and rehabilitated extensively in order to heal properly.

After a crash, see your doctor immediately.

Do not wait for the back pain to go away by itself just because the accident did not look like a big deal. Crashes that occur at speeds of less than 10-15 mph can still produce enough force to cause injury to soft tissues and discs. The most severe injuries are often caused by high-velocity rear-end collisions.

The biggest mistake that people make is to wait too long after the accident to be examined. This allows small sprains to become disabling sprains, discs to herniate further and compressed nerves to become inflamed. Diagnosis and treatment are necessary as soon as possible!

Therefore, see your doctor immediately after any car crash, even if you were a passenger and the accident seemed minor. Enumerate all your symptoms even the slightest ones. Be sure to describe the accident dynamics—whether you were moving or stopped, and from which direction your vehicle was hit. Answer other important questions your doctor poses.

Your doctor will perform a physical examination and order diagnostic tests based on the need, including x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs. These assist in evaluating soft tissue injuries and confirm that surgery is indicated for some forms of injury such as herniated discs. Fortunately, most minor sprains and strains recover well with rest, ice, medication, physical therapy, spinal adjustments and massage.

Don’t Suffer Unnecessarily—Seek Treatment Now

What is the reason to develop chronic back pain when minor injuries usually react very effectively on early treatment? Indeed, no one anticipates to be injured in a low-impact collision. However, neck and back pain that just won’t go away can completely derail your life.

Therefore, arrange a medical checkup immediately after any vehicular accident. Protect your long-term health and mobility by seeking timely treatment for strains, sprains, whiplash, herniated discs, and other issues that can occur from even low-speed collisions or fender benders. Don’t spend days, weeks or months enduring pain that is likely to be preventable.