Neck and Back Pain After an Auto Accident: When to Seek Care

Auto accidents are a common source of stress and frustration, even when you don’t walk away with an injury.  Without appropriate care, experiencing back and neck pain after a collision can increase the emotional burden and lead to complications. But how do you know it’s time to schedule an exam?

Dr. Nicholas Perenich and his team at Spine Institute of Florida in Dade City and Spring Hill specialize in diagnosing and treating spine injuries after auto accidents.

They put the following information together to help you get the care you need in a timely fashion. 

How auto accidents cause neck and back pain

Many car, truck, and motorcycle accidents cause forceful, sudden motion of your upper body and head. This harsh jolt can damage your muscles, ligaments, nerves, and spinal discs — all of which can cause varying degrees of pain in your neck or back. 

Severe collisions often lead to injuries like whiplash, vertebral fractures, and herniated discs. All of these injuries can fuel intense neck pain, back pain, or both. For some people, the pain becomes chronic, lasting or recurring for several months or more. 

While anyone can experience accident-related back or neck pain, women and adults over age 65 are especially vulnerable. This is because women tend to have a shorter stature and less muscle mass than men. Senior adults often have weakened bones.

When to seek care for back or neck pain after an accident

It’s never too early to seek professional care after an auto accident. Due to the adrenaline rush caused by accidents and the way inflammation gradually unfolds, you might not even experience any pain right away. So you may want to schedule an exam — especially after an intense accident — even if you haven’t yet noticed any symptoms. 

You should definitely seek medical care if your back or neck pain is severe, worsening, or fails to respond to home measures, like taking over-the-counter pain relievers, applying an ice pack, and resting. We recommend an office visit if your symptoms persist after a week of home care.

Back and neck pain treatment 

Our team customizes back and neck pain treatment based on the cause and severity of your symptoms and your overall health. We typically start with conservative measures, such as:

• A back brace
• Oral medication 
• Physical therapy
• Epidural injections
• Nerve blocks

For severe or conservative treatment-resistant spine pain, we may recommend a procedure, such as disc replacement, spinal fusion, or radiofrequency ablation. 

To learn more about back and neck pain from auto accidents or get on the path to lasting relief, call Spine Institute of Florida or schedule an appointment through our website today.