If you got into a car accident—serious or minor—there’s a high chance you’ll suffer from neck pain. Statistics show that around 3 million U.S. people experience neck discomfort annually after a vehicular incident.
Neck pain can vary from person to person. Some feel stiffness in the neck area, while others experience sharp neck pain. In other cases, pain can spread to the shoulders and arms.
In this blog, we will discuss what causes neck pain, its signs and symptoms, and treatments and solutions that can help you recover. At Physicians Group LLC, we have been treating auto accident victims for over 25 years. It’s our mission to help them overcome neck pain, back pain, and other discomforts.
Why You’re Feeling Neck Pain After a Car Accident
A car accident injury can lead to lasting neck pain that affects daily activities. Injuries and other conditions can appear immediately or develop over time. Understanding the specific causes of neck pain can help you find the right solution.
Whiplash Injury
When your head moves back and forth because of a car collision, you can suffer from a whiplash injury. This auto accident condition strains the neck muscles, ligaments, and tendons, leading to soft tissue injury. Whiplash pain can cause neck stiffness, dizziness, headaches, and reduced mobility.
Spinal Injury
Spinal injuries, such as cervical spine injury, occur when the nerves, bones, and discs are damaged. A car crash can lead to a spinal injury because it can cause misalignment, inflammation, or nerve compression. These result in back and neck pain, numb arms, or tingling.
Neck Strain
If your muscles and ligaments are overstretched because of the sudden force caused by the car crash, you can suffer from severe neck strain. This leads to neck muscle pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Herniated Disc
A severe car crash injury can cause a rupture or a shift of the discs between your vertebrae. This can lead to herniated discs, which can cause severe neck pain that spreads to the shoulders or arms.
Bone Fractures
Severe auto accident pain can occur if the car crash causes fractures on the cervical spine. This auto accident injury leads to sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the head. It requires immediate medical attention to prevent long-term problems.
Neck Pain Signs After a Car Accident
Neck pain symptoms vary depending on how severe the car crash is. Some appear immediately, while others develop over time. In some cases, patients experience chronic neck pain that can last for months or years. Recognizing these neck injury signs can help you know what treatment to get.
Neck Stiffness
When you have neck pain, you can also experience stiffness. This stiffness—a sign of potential neck injury—can tighten your muscles, making it difficult to move your head. Holding certain positions can also cause severe discomfort.
Headaches
If you experience a headache after the accident, it could be caused by muscle strain or nerve pressure. Some patients feel sharp or throbbing pain. Meanwhile, others experience dull tension headaches. If these pain symptoms persist, they could be signs of a severe post-accident pain injury.
Long-Lasting Neck Pain
In some auto accident cases, neck pain can last for weeks and turn into chronic neck pain. This condition can interfere with daily activities and can cause serious complications if left untreated.
Numbness or Tingling
Many patients experience tingling or numbness after the initial car crash pain and discomfort. This is typically due to nerve compression or damage. These sensations can extend throughout their hands or even fingers.
Dizziness
Neck trauma sometimes affects blood flow or nerve function, resulting in dizziness, lightheadedness, or balance difficulties. These symptoms can greatly affect daily life, even simple tasks like getting in the shower.
Neck Pain Treatments for Long-Lasting Pain Relief
Once you experience neck pain, you’ll look for long-lasting pain relief. There are many different treatments to help with neck pain. These solutions can give you the neck pain relief you’ve been looking for and support you in car accident recovery.
Medical Treatments
Medical treatment options for neck pain include anti-inflammatory drugs, injections, or muscle relaxants. They are commonly prescribed after injuries are detected using X-rays or MRIs.
Physical Therapy
Since neck pain is a sign of fractures or muscle damage, physical therapy can help provide relief and healing. By strengthening muscles and improving flexibility, physical therapies can reduce stiffness. A structured one includes stretching, strengthening exercises, and whiplash treatment options.
Chiropractic Care
Neck pain can mean there is damage or misalignment within your spine. Chiropractic care can solve these spinal issues by realigning your spine and promoting the body’s natural healing abilities.
Trust Physicians Group for Professional Neck Pain Care
Without proper medical care, neck pain can lead to complications affecting your entire life. At Physicians Group LLC, it’s our job to ensure that you can recover from neck pain caused by car crashes, slip & falls, and other trauma-related accidents.
We’ve provided quality care for the past 25 years thanks to our skilled doctors, chiropractors, and therapists. Our team offers medical evaluations, chiropractic care, and pain relief solutions you can trust.
Want to start your auto injury recovery? Call us today: our promise is long-term neck pain relief and a safe recovery path.