Injuries associated with car accidents can affect different parts of the body.  Injuries to the head, neck and back and are most common, but other injuries can include the upper or lower extremities and internal organs.

Head injuries or traumatic brain injury (TBI) are the most severe of the car accident injuries and usually lead to immediate cognitive impairments which may be temporary but can become permanent,  however  patients can also experience symptoms that are consistent with post-concussion syndrome (PCS) or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI ) which can result in post-traumatic headaches (PTHA).  These may last anywhere from six months to several years.  Some of the symptoms include: headaches, irritability, insomnia, anxiety, memory problems, other pain, concentration problems, depression, dizziness, confusion, no control of emotions, loss of libido, tinnitus, difficulty planning or carrying out plans, flashbacks, nightmares, an inability to enjoy sex and arithmetic problems. Symptoms associated with post-concussion syndrome may include: light-headedness, neck pain, headache, photophobia (an abnormal intolerance to visual perception to light), phonophobia (an abnormal fear of sounds), tinnitus, impaired memory, easy distractibility, impaired comprehension, forgetfulness, impaired logical thought, difficulty with new or abstract concepts, insomnia, easy fatigability, apathy, outbursts of anger, mood swings, depression, loss of libido, personality change or intolerance to alcohol.

Although much more common, usually less severe than a TBI, but equally are injuries to the spine which includes the neck, upper back and low back. These injuries can manifest themselves as immediate pain, but it is not uncommon to feel pain 24-72 hours following the collision, sometimes longer.  It is not uncommon to feel neck pain and then later begin to experience low back pain and vice versa. Treatment is varied Treatment in the acute phase can vary, but should be aimed at decreasing muscle spasm or muscle splinting and pain, improving spinal ranges of motion and limiting reparative scar tissue formation.  Once the tissue is healed (30 days post injury) spinal strength testing should be performed to determine the level of weakness and address the strength deficit to minimize residual chronic pain.  This can only be done utilizing the MedX spinal testing and rehabilitation machines designed specifically for the neck and back.  These machines stabilize the lower extremity and/or upper body to isolate the spinal musculature allow specific testing and then focused rehabilitation of these muscles.

There are many myths surrounding recovery from injuries sustained in a collision such as the soft tissue injuries heal spontaneously within 6 to 12 weeks, are self-limiting and require no treatment beyond that point or that they typically heal without residuals.  There is no legitimate research to support these myths, but somehow they continue to be perpetuated.  The research that has been done through the years and have followed patients for 6 months or longer reveal that a large majority of people involved in a motor vehicle collision suffer from chronic pain as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident with the rear-end type of collision usually the worst.  One of the most common contributing factors to this chronicity is residual muscle weakness in the deep spinal musculature.  Most doctors and therapists do a good job of treating the acute injuries associated with motor vehicle injuries but have difficulty treating this residual muscle weakness. Research shows that within 48-72 hours there begins to be weakening of the deep spinal musculature. This leads ultimately to instability which can lead to chronic neck or back pain.  Ultimately getting the proper care in as soon as possible following any injury can make a world of difference in limiting this chronicity.  MedX spinal testing and rehabilitation machines are the only tools available in the world today that will rehabilitate these muscles specifically thus limiting chronic pain associated with these spinal injuries.

If you have been injured in an auto accident, let The Center For Total Back Care treat your injuries. We serve the east valley of Arizona. Cities include, Mesa, Gilbert, Tempe, Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale, Apache Junction, Paradise Valley and many more. Call us for a free consultation at 480-633-8293.