Lumbar Sprain/Strain After A Car Accident – Is Chiropractic Helpful?

Lower back pain and leg pain after a motor vehicle accident are very common symptoms. Some other symptoms may include:

• Leg Numbness & Tingling
• Hip Pain
• Lumbar Spine Pain
• Lumbar Disc Pain
• Leg Burning
• Lumbar Facet Joint Pain
• Sacroiliac Joint Pain

The pain pattern someone experiences is very important for identifying the injured structure or structures. In this case, it is important to determine if the lumbar discs or the lumbar facet joints are injured. Or, are both structures injured.

A lumbar facet joint injury after a car accident typically involves local lower back pain without radiation of pain into the buttocks or legs. The patient will typically find standing to be more painful compared to sitting. Also, movement such as bending and twisting, putting on your socks, and general daily activities will be painful and more difficult.
A lumbar disc injury after a car accident typically involves lower back pain and radiation of symptoms into one or both legs. The leg pain may only travel into the buttocks or may also travel down the entire length of the leg. A lumbar disc injury will feel painful in most positions but is particularly painful when sitting. As a worst case scenario, a patient may suffer a lumbar disc herniation after a car accident. If the lumbar disc is herniated the patient is less likely to respond to conservative care such as chiropractic and exercises.
A very good form of treatment for both the facet joints and discs is motion. The chiropractic adjustments work by improving the motion of the joints of the spine. The improved movement is beneficial for both the discs and facet joints, especially if they are injured. The motion helps to reduce the inflammation which is causing the pain and reduce muscle spasm.

As a chiropractic physician, I help provide lower back pain relief and leg numbness and tingling relief. I am not able to help every patient with these complaints but if I am unable to help you I can make the appropriate referral to someone who likely can. Please call my office today to see if I may be able to help you with your lower back pain or leg pain. I serve patients in Roseville, MN, Falcon Heights, MN, Shoreview, MN, Saint Paul, MN, Arden Hills, MN, and Saint Paul, MN.