The human spine is a complex structure consisting of bones,
muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and other tissues. Spinal health is
essential towards maintaining the body’s optimal performance as it functions to
support an upright posture, provides flexibility to allow the body to bend and
twist freely, and most importantly, it protects the spinal cord. While a
healthy back can easily be taken for granted, a back injury or other type of
complication may result in long-lasting consequences that could alter an
individual’s aspect of daily life.
Unfortunately, back injuries are among the most common types
of complications suffered after an automobile accident. Each day, thousands of
individuals are involved in head-on, side-impact, and rear-end auto collisions,
often leading to spinal injuries even during minor car crashes. Depending on the
force of the impact, a single or multiple areas of the back may be affected.
Automobile injuries can range from mild sprains and bruises to fractured
vertebrae and spinal cord damage.
If you’ve had a car accident, it’s essential to take note of
any symptoms of back pain, as there are a variety of spine complications which
could result after experiencing an auto collision.
Disc Injuries
One type of back injury commonly diagnosed among individuals
who suffered an auto accident is medically referred to as a herniated disc,
also known as a slipped or ruptured disc. Discs are small, sponge-like structures
found within the spinal column which function as cushions to separate and
protect the vertebrae from the others while providing the spine with smooth
flexibility. The force from an auto accident impact can damage a disc, causing
it to break or deform, affecting its ability to cushion the bones of the spine.
Furthermore, a damaged disc can also place unnecessary pressure
directly on the nerves surrounding it, leading to symptoms of pain, numbness
and weakness on the region of the body where the affected nerve travels to.
Disc injuries to the lower back frequently lead to a group
of symptoms commonly referred to as sciatica, which is characterized by
radiating pain, numbness and tingling sensations in the leg and/or buttock on
either side, or occasionally, in both sides, depending on the type of injury. The
symptoms associated with sciatica can be impairing and may worsen over time if
left untreated.
Lower Back Pain after Auto Injury
Spinal Cord Injuries
A spinal cord injury occurs when the impact of an automobile
accident causes a direct blow to the spine, damaging the fragile bundle of
nerves within it. The spinal cord is the most important structure between the
body and the brain. It is a vital link between the brain and the body,
functioning to carry essential information back-and-forth from the brain to the
central nervous system, facilitating motor control and sensory function. Spinal
cord injuries impair the brain’s ability to communicate effectively with the rest
of the body, resulting in paralysis and/or lack of sensation in all or part of
the body. The more severe an injury to the spinal cord is, the more of the body
will be affected.
Compression Fractures
Automobile accidents can also cause compression fractures,
especially in older adults. Compression fractures are small cracks in the bones
of the spine which may over time cause the vertebrae to collapse and deform,
ultimately permanently altering the shape and structure of the spine.
Symptoms of a compression fracture include pain and postural
changes as well as breathing difficulties. Due to the fact that compression
fractures are common among older adults, many individuals mistake the symptoms
for signs of aging or arthritis. An estimated two-thirds of compression
fractures go undiagnosed.
While cars are built to withstand the great force of a
collision, the human body is not. The complex structures of the body,
especially the spine, are vulnerable even in low speed collisions, resulting in
injuries or conditions more often than not. An individual who’s been injured in
an accident should seek immediate medical attention in order to diagnose any
possible injuries or conditions as early as possible to begin treatment.
Chiropractic care can effectively treat a variety of spinal complications,
including auto injuries. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual
manipulations, a chiropractor can gradually help restore the individual’s
natural mobility and flexibility, as well as progressively strengthen the
structures surrounding the spine to relieve the symptoms and restore the
individual’s lifestyle.
Dr. Jimenez’s Patient Tells Personal Story
Jacqulyn Quevas is up on her feet a lot as a hair stylist
and she was searching for the perfect workout that would extend her livelihood
in what she does. Jacqulyn wanted to lose weight and overall become healthier
and once she found Push-as-Rx ®™, her amazing journey began. The motivation and
enthusiasm of the trainers at Push as Rx has greatly influenced Jacqulyn.
The clinic and PUSH-as-Rx ®™ system is leading the field
with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs. The PUSH-as-Rx ®™
System is a sport specific athletic program designed by a strength-agility
coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40 years of experience working with
extreme athletes. At its core, the program is the multidisciplinary study of
reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme motion dynamics. Through detailed
and continued assessments of the athletes in motion and under stress loads
offer a clear scientific picture of body dynamics. This system also has helped
many athletes come back from injury faster, stronger, and ready to safely
return to their sport without losing a beat after recovery. Results demonstrate
clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction time and advantageous
postural-torque mechanics. PUSH-as-Rx ®™ offers specialized extreme
performance enhancements to our athletes no matter the age.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
