While most people know that automobile accidents are a leading cause of spinal injuries, many do not realize that even minor accidents can damage your neck and spine.
Smaller accidents, such as being lightly rear-ended, can cause enough impact to disrupt the spinal column. This damage can lead to serious symptoms that may not be apparent immediately following the accident.
Below are three neck and spine injuries that can occur with even the most minor car accidents.
Whiplash
Whiplash is one of the most prevalent neck injuries to those who have been in rear-end car accidents. It occurs with the rapid back and forth motion the neck is forced into by the impact of the accident. This motion leads to intense muscle strain and damage to the tissues in the cervical spine.
Whiplash can cause severe symptoms in the weeks to months following your accident. Many patients who suffer whiplash injuries experience chronic pain, headache, radiating numbness, and cervical instability.
Compression Fractures of the Neck and Spine
When stress from even a minor accident puts pressure on the spine, it can result in compression fractures. Vertebral compression fractures form when pressure on the spine creates small cracks or fissures in the bone.
Patients with compression fractures may experience chronic back pain, limited range of motion, and sudden pain when standing.
Herniated Discs
One of the most common injuries after a car accident of any degree is a herniated disc. Herniated discs are the result of direct impact to the spine. This impact can tear the annulus, the hard outer ring surrounding the soft, jelly-like discs between your vertebrae.
When the annulus is torn, the disc can shift out of place, making the vertebra vulnerable. Patients with herniated discs may experience intense chronic pain, muscle spasms, or weakness in the arms and legs.
Accident and Injury of Neck and Spine Chiropractors at Veeva Clinic
Were you recently in a minor car accident? You may have sustained damage to your neck and spine that could affect your quality of life. The professionals at Veeva Clinic can assess your injuries and create a customized treatment plan to meet your needs.
Treatments can include physical therapy, chiropractic adjustments, and deep tissue massage. We have offices throughout Oregon and Washington in Hillsboro, Portland, Salem, and more.
To schedule an appointment with one of our providers, contact us online or give us a call today.
About the author
Matt has been helping providers within the healthcare setting for over a decade realize how best to solve a patients problem by understanding the individualism of each patient and what their true needs are. To focus on the patient and they “Why” they need their particular service that goes beyond the initial reason for them to seek treatment.
In the Chiropractic world now for over 3 years, Matt not only takes the knowledge he has gained from other healthcare services he has supported, but also has access to over 75 years of combined real life hands on experiences from the many doctors within the Veeva Chiropractic landscape.
