Herniated Disc from Auto Accident

The shock-absorbing intervertebral discs are among the most vulnerable structures on the human body. As a result, they are prone to injury during an automobile accident. The force generated by a car collision is often enough to create a bulge or tear in the annulus fibrosus, resulting in a herniated disc. The discs most likely to suffer injury are the bottom two discs in the spinal column. The most common symptoms of a herniated disc are stiffness and pain in the local area and a reduced range of motion.

Other names for herniated discs include slipped discs, ruptured discs, bulged discs, and disc protrusions. Disc injuries are painful, and if left untreated, they can impair a person to the point that they cannot work or have to change their line of work.

Disc and nerve injury are related; a herniated disc can cause a pinched nerve, nerve impingement, chronic pain, and radiculopathy. 

The good news is, for all but the most severe of herniated discs, the body will usually heal itself if given the proper treatment plan, time, and attention. 

Our priority is to reduce your pain. The chiropractic adjustment restores mobility to the joints. It alleviates direct pressure to the nerve, allowing you to move with less pain and a more comprehensive range of motion. Before adjustment, we utilize a "special machine"  that boosts blood flow in the area to help facilitate healing.  

Our office will document all of your injuries and establish a treatment plan that gets you back to health as quickly as possible. 

The more serious an accident, the more severe injuries can be. However, some people experience herniated discs from minimal trauma. In addition, victims of car accidents may not feel extreme pain right after the accident. Instead, they may feel the full extent of pain later as it slowly worsens.

Sometimes, a herniated disc cannot be diagnosed in the emergency room because tissues like spinal discs are not visible on X-rays. Instead, MRI or magnetic resonance imaging scan is needed to determine an accurate diagnosis.

You may consider seeking legal representation to ensure you will be fully compensated for your auto accident injury. Your injury attorney will help you receive total and fair compensation. Sometimes, insurance companies don't want to pay hefty amounts for these injuries. 

For some people, surgery and physical therapy will be necessary. 

Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option for herniated discs. It has been proven to be an effective treatment for herniated discs and associated pain. A herniated disc can happen to anyone, regardless of age or gender. Sharp pain in the back or neck is the most common symptom, but some don't feel any. To determine if you have a herniated disc, your chiropractor will perform a thorough physical examination to find and determine the cause of your symptoms. It includes manipulating your legs and arms in different positions to examine if the pain radiates from the back to the limbs and pressing against the spine to check for tenderness.

Your chiropractor will evaluate your entire spine and ask you important questions to determine if your nerves are sending correct messages if there are signs of loss of muscle strength or sensation. 

An individual diagnosed with a herniated disc has to be patient and consistently follow their treatment plan. If symptoms persist or do not get better after months, you should talk to your healthcare provider about surgery. However, surgery is usually not necessary.

Due to the severity of the slipped discs' pain, it can impact your ability to work. Herniated discs may cause pain that radiates down the legs. In addition, the numbness and tingling can limit your mobility and ability to stand or sit in the same position for an extended period. As a result, you may have difficulty doing tasks such as bathing or dressing. You may also need a cane or walker to walk.

With herniated discs, you may not perform correctly at your job or do many tasks. For example, you cannot work in construction, warehouse jobs, manufacturing since these jobs require the person to reach, lift, and carry. Limited mobility and pain due to herniated disc will make those activities impossible.