Exercises for Back Pain Recovery After a Car Accident

If you’ve been injured in a car accident and are suffering from back pain, you are not alone. It’s estimated that anywhere from 50% to 77% of people report suffering from lower or mid-back pain after a car accident, even in low-speed collisions.

Studies also indicate that at least over 63% of ongoing low back pain in adults can be linked to a prior injury in a car crash.

Why Does Back Pain Occur After a Car Accident?

The nature of all vehicle accidents puts undue pressure on your abdominal region, including your spine and back. The force of impact, sudden movements from the impact, and strains on your muscles and ligaments are all contributing factors to back pain.

What Are Some Common Back Injuries After a Collision?

In a car accident, your body goes from rapid acceleration to a sudden stop when the collision occurs. Due to this, there are certain types of back injuries that are more common than others.

They include:

• Muscle strains and sprains: Muscles or tendons along your back tear or are overstretched.
• Soft tissue injuries: Damage to the muscles, ligaments, and tendons resulting in whiplash.
• Disc-related injuries: The force of a car crash can cause a disc to bulge, herniate, or even rupture, leading to immense pain or numbness and tingling feeling in your arms or legs.

Start your path to recovery with ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, a trusted Las Vegas provider for accident recovery and rehabilitation.

What Are Some Symptoms That Should Not Be Ignored?

Back pain can initially feel like general soreness, but paying attention to how the pain develops over time is important, as this can help you understand whether you need more specialized medical care.

Below are some symptoms you should not ignore:

• Lower back pain: If the pain is severe, constant, or worsening over time, rather than improving, it could indicate a deeper issue than muscle sprain or strain.
• Neck and back stiffness: Feeling like you cannot turn your head or bend over without discomfort is a common sign of soft tissue damage.
• Muscle spasms: Sudden, involuntary contractions of the back muscles are the body’s way of trying to splint and protect the injured area. This symptom signals that your body is stressed and you should seek medical care.
• Reduced mobility: You’re unable to stand up straight, walk normally, or perform basic tasks.
• Pain during daily activities: Pain that flares up when you are simply sitting, bending to tie your shoes, or lifting light objects could be an indication that underlying issues are at play and warrant an evaluation.

Exercises That May Support Recovery

You should only engage in exercises approved by your doctor and, of course, once you’ve been cleared. Once cleared, try out these low-intensity exercises that can help you improve your mobility and overall recovery:

• Gentle stretching
• Pelvic tilts
• Gentle core activation exercises
• Mobility exercises, like chin tucks and gentle head turns
• Low-impact strengthening

Why Professional Exercise Guidance Matters

Even if your doctor clears you to begin exercising, not doing it the right way can cause more harm than good. Working with a professional who understands back pain injuries from a car accident can help you have the peace of mind from knowing that your exercise recovery plan is moving in the right direction.

An experienced professional can also help prevent aggravating your existing injuries, ensure that you’re using proper technique, and will create and ensure you’re following a safe recovery plan.

How Physical Therapy Helps After a Car Accident

Physical therapy is a cornerstone of effective and safe recovery of back pain following a car accident. It offers a holistic approach to healing the whole person, not just the symptoms, and allows you to use evidence-backed exercises that will help you with:

• Pain management
• Strength improvement
• Mobility restoration
• Returning to normal activities

How ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Supports Las Vegas Accident Patients

At ZK Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, our physical therapists have a thorough understanding of the challenges car accident victims face after a collision. Our therapists have helped countless victims work through individualized treatment plans designed around their back pain.

After an initial injury evaluation and thorough intake process, our therapists will work with you in a one-on-one setting to help you practice the right techniques and repetition sets for the different exercises and stretches that are a part of your plan.

Throughout your treatment, recovery tracking ensures that you are progressing the way you should and that your plan is being adjusted accordingly to your progression needs.

To learn more about physical therapy exercises for lower back pain or to schedule your initial appointment with our therapists, call our team today.