Back pain is one of the most common symptoms after a car accident. Many people experience back pain after a car accident due to acute injuries sustained during the wreck, like a spinal injury or whiplash. However, it is also possible for a car accident to aggravate an old injury or spinal condition and cause you back pain that wasn’t there before. When you visit a team of car accident chiropractors after a wreck, they will work to identify the cause of your back pain. In rare cases, a car accident can actually worsen pain and discomfort from a spinal condition like scoliosis.
Back Pain After a Car Accident
The reason back pain is so common with car accident injuries is because of the amount of pressure placed on the spine in this type of traumatic event. The force of impact between two vehicles can cause your body to get jostled around, which can strain your back muscles and impact your spine. Spinal misalignments are common after an acute car accident injury. Back pain after a car accident can also be tricky because you might not experience it right away. The shock and adrenaline from being in a car accident can actually keep you from noticing pain at first. As the hours and days wear on, you may start to notice more pain and discomfort in your back that comes from the car accident.
Understanding Scoliosis
Scoliosis is a spinal condition where the spine slowly curves sideways. It is typically diagnosed in early adolescence with growth spurts. Many cases of scoliosis are mild and do not cause many pain symptoms. More severe cases of scoliosis can lead to chronic pain and negatively impact mobility. This type of spinal condition does not appear overnight; rather, it can worsen with time. When you picture the spine from head to tailbone, you likely imagine the vertebrae lining up in a straight line. If you are diagnosed with scoliosis, then your spine likely curves sideways instead. Signs of scoliosis include uneven shoulders and one hip sitting higher than the other. The curve of your spine can slowly become worse over time and as children mature into adults. Scoliosis can also be aggravated after a car accident.
How Scoliosis Is Affected by a Car Accident
Most cases of scoliosis have no specific cause and occur during growth periods and may or may not get worse with age. However, it is also possible that an acute injury like from a car accident could cause spinal issues that may eventually lead to scoliosis. Scoliosis is not an immediate injury, but it could be exacerbated by a spinal injury from a car accident. This type of scoliosis is also known as traumatic scoliosis when the curve of the spine is negatively impacted by a traumatic event like a car accident. Trauma to the spine can affect the vertebrae and their proper alignment.
How Accident Chiropractors Can Help with Scoliosis
Chiropractors are uniquely skilled in diagnosing and treating scoliosis and spinal injuries. The field of chiropractic focuses on how the healthy functioning of the body is impacted by proper posture and functioning of the spine. The brain is able to effectively communicate with the rest of the body through the nerves housed in the spinal column. Any injury or condition that affects the healthy functioning of the spinal column and nearby nerves can impact your health and well-being. Chiropractors can diagnose scoliosis through physical examination of the spinal column and may also utilize diagnostic imaging tools like an X-ray for a better image of the spinal column. If you have had scoliosis since you were a child, then a chiropractor can help when pain and other symptoms get worse over time. If your scoliosis was aggravated by an acute injury due to an event like a car accident, then an accident chiropractor can also provide treatment options.
Treatment for scoliosis and back pain after a car accident will depend on the severity of the spinal condition. Accident chiropractors may use gentle, therapeutic spinal adjustments and also recommend corrective measures like wearing a back brace or going to physical therapy. Your accident chiropractor will develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses your specific symptoms and healthcare needs after a car accident. The goals of treatment will include gently straightening the spine and correcting the curvature while resolving your pain. Our team of accident chiropractors at AICA Orthopedics can help with back pain and other issues caused by a car accident. Visit a location near you to get started on treatment right away!
