Back and neck pain after a car accident
 

Hi all,

Three days ago, I was driving towards Philly on I-76. Suddenly, a car to my right slams into mine (the driver lost control), I get pushed to the left and slam into another car, then as I am pressing hard on the brakes the car spins 180 degrees. And finally it's over.

Thankfully, no one seems to be seriously injured (i.e no broken bones, etc). However, I've felt some back and neck pain since then, and even some headaches. I have a doc's appointment on Monday to look into that.

As car accidents are sadly a common occurance, I'm sure some of you here have been in such a situation. So, what kind of back/neck problems did you have? When did they appear, and how long did they last? What methods did you use to deal with that?

Thanks.

Find a chiropractor. They specialize in helping people recover from spinal injuries from accidents.

I'd certainly go to a dr./chiro first, get x-rays and stuff. Glad you aren't waiting.

I had some serious neck/shoulder pain issues at the beginning of the year, initally caused by dance and made worse by other things (gawd, the worst start of a new year ever). Of course the doctors just wanted to give me muscle relaxors and stuff, which seriously mess me up, and don't treat the cause. Finally I started massage therapy--Deep Tissue--by an extremely gifted masseuse, and that was the ONLY thing that helped. It hurt like absolute hell at first, but only during the massage, and the pain relief afterwards was long-lasting and extraordinary.

I now get Deep Tissue massage once a month, and it's literally changed my life. I am way more flexible, I dance better, and basically I can do things I couldn't do before. And I've learned so much about how to prevent injuries and take care of myself, it's terrific.

Good luck to you!

ACK!!! No!!! If you must go to one of those, at least go to a doctor first, get some x-rays and make sure it's not something else. Physical therapy will be way more beneficial than a being 'adjusted' on a regular basis.

Yeah, I agree with that one. I'd go get some tests first, before going to a chiropractor. It's not that I don't think they help, I just think if there's something a doctor can do, be it a brace or therapy or something of that nature, that would be best to find out first.

Luckily, I've never been in an accident before, had some really close calls though.

LOL! My Dad was having back problems and he went to one, he was really really in worse shape after coming back but eventually, he was feeling well again.

I have to disagree with the negative publicity on the chiro angle. It's all about finding a good Dr., medical or otherwise.

I had back problems years ago. Muscle relaxers and pain meds helped two times, but the third time nothing worked. My Dr. told me to get an MRI and prepare for surgery. So I took some advice and went to a chiropractor.

That was in 1989, and I've been great sisnce. Even got up to 490 on squats.

The caveat: anyone can be lousy and many try to get you in for months of treatment. I'd try to find someone that is a referal from someone else. I've moved two times since and both times was able to find someone good based on advice from my first chiro. He said to ask what techiques they use and when one say Gunstead, go to them. Just don't tell them what you're looking for up front.

You'll probably go 3 times a week for a few weeks and then drop off to two times for a few more, to once, to once a month. I still go in every 1-2 months. I see it like keeping the front end in line on my car.

I personally don't have a high opinion of chiropracters, personal experience and that of people I know has led me to beleive the ones i have encountered are money grubbing quacks...

However, they do help some people (though I believe it's more mind over matter in that case) BUT -- To go to a chiropracter after a car accident, before getting it checked out by a doctor is foolish...

First, sorry to hear about your accident. Several months ago I was involved in a head on collision with someone who ran a stop sign (police chief's daughter no less!!!). I saw an orthopedic doctor, who also referred my to a physical therapist. I also eventually ended up visiting a chiropractor. I feel happy with the treatment that I got from all three, and think the combination was good for me. My MRI showed a bulged disc in my lower back, and soft tissue damage in my neck. I still have some problems with it to this day, unfortunately.


On a side note, be very careful with dealing with the insurance company, especially the person's who hit you. From my experience, I would warn you against making ANY type of agreements with, or even statements to, the insurance company. They are looking to minimize their liability, with little regard for seeing to it you get the proper care. I don't think this is the forum to get into great detail about it, but you might start a thread elsewhere to ask for advice about that as well. Or, feel free to PM me about it (though you might as well solicit opinions from all of us, not just listen to my "bad" experience). :)

Thanks for all the advice everybody. The appointment I have is with a Doctor of Chiropractic medicine; but I do intend to get tests and stuff. So I'll see how it goes.

If the pain is still there, please go to the hospital and get yourself checked out. You owe that to yourself! Your neck/back areas are very important to your body because they hold your spine, and spinal injuries are quite common in car accidents and you should make sure everything is ok with your spine.
All the best, Im sure it will all be fine, but its better to be safe!

Thanks comp.sci. I had X-rays taken, it seems that other that the muscles that were roughed up, I stretched some ligaments. Muscles take 4 weeks to heal, ligaments 3 to 5 months.. So now I have a soft collar that I wear on occasion. Yay.

Chiro? No way...At least not as a first option. I see these cases every day. I am a claims adjuster and there are so many people who claim injury from such minor accidents. In fact, in most cases, a Chiropractor will not treat you will not treat you as a result of an accident unless you have an attorney. They know that insurance companies don't like to pay for this type of treatment in many cases. I have heard that a lot of people are in worse pain afet seeing a Chiro thank before.
That's just my biased opinion.

I also do hope that you traded informatoin and have the insurance information. Make sure you make the submissions in a timely manner. It can jeopardize you getting reimbursed for your expenses. You should also speak to a lawyer especially since you are feeling some pain. I had no choice but to consult with a lawyer a number of years ago for someone that rear ended me on the Cross Bronx. It was weird to hear my accident on the traffic reports.

I am not implying litigation, but I am implying protecting yourself in the most legal way possible. most lawyers that handle accident cases will make sure that you have no out of pocket expenses or keep them at a minimum including getting you to and from doctor's appointments.

I have been to both Dr's and Chiro's for back and neck pain from car accidents. Dr's tend to simply medicate with pain meds and muscle relaxants. A good Chiro will do a full exam, if there is any actual injury to the bones he will refer you to a Dr if you need to see one. A chiro will work to relieve the cause of the pain and not just medicate the symptoms away. I have seen this on more than one occasion. In fact my Chiropractor was recommended to me by the surgeon who performed my hernia operation. Chiros are valuable in their own way and a good Dr of any profession will acknowledge that they are not the end all solution.