Approximately three million Americans suffer nonfatal injuries in car accidents each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Often, those injuries cause back pain. If you’re one of the many people suffering from back pain after an accident, you need to know what to do. Follow some steps so that you can begin down the road to recovery.
Visit a Pain Management Doctor Near You
Don’t wait to see if your back pain gets better. You might have a serious problem that requires immediate attention. Visit a pain management clinic experienced in treating car accident injuries. Select a clinic with different specialists on-site so you can get the proper diagnosis and treatment.
Car accidents cause an assortment of back injuries. During your evaluation, your doctor will determine if you have a:
- Thoracic spine injury
- Lumbar spine injury
- Herniated or Bulging disc
- Spinal cord injury
You also might have whiplash. While this is a head and neck injury, it can lead to back pain, and it’s very common after an auto accident. More than two million Americans end up with whiplash each year.
Follow the Treatment Plan
Your doctor will create a treatment plan based on your injury. This might include going to a chiropractor and physical therapist in addition to pain management plan. When you start feeling better, you might feel the urge to back off treatment for a bit. However, failing to follow through could cause your symptoms to get worse once again. Don’t stop treatment until you are discharged from the doctor. Along with helping you get better, sticking to your treatment plan can also help you if you have a claim against the other driver. If you stop going to treatment, the other driver’s insurance company might state that your injuries weren’t serious.
Manage Pain at Home
Your doctor will help you get better through treatment. However, you might still experience some pain between appointments. Fortunately, you can manage your pain at home. This might include alternating between heat and ice and taking over-the-counter pain medicine. Your doctor also might include some stretches to help you recover. Consult with your doctor to find out what you can do at home to manage your pain.
Keep Detailed Records
You should keep records while you are recovering from back pain. This is much easier if you go to a medical clinic that is experienced in treating auto accident victims. The staff will know how to properly document your injuries, your treatment plan and the overall progress.. Also, keep your own records, including the money you spend going back and forth to your appointments.
Don’t Delay if You Have Back Pain
Don’t spend days or weeks thinking about going to the doctor for back pain. If you’re in pain, seek immediate medical care. Your doctor will evaluate and diagnose you. Then, you can begin your treatment plan. With the right treatment plan, you can finally begin to heal and put your auto accident and injury behind you.
At New York Spine Specialist, we treat patients for back pain after a car accident. If you are experiencing back pain, call us to make an appointment at 516-355-0111. We are here to help and offer the right treatment for your condition.
