Back pain after a car accident can make sitting, lifting, working, sleeping, or getting in and out of a vehicle difficult. The pain may begin at the scene or become more noticeable over the next several hours or days.
A collision can affect muscles, joints, discs, and nerves in the mid-back or lower back. An examination helps identify warning signs, understand what movements are limited, and decide whether conservative care, imaging, or referral is appropriate.
When back pain needs emergency care
Call 911 or go to an emergency department if back pain after a collision occurs with:
- New inability to move a leg or rapidly worsening leg weakness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, difficulty urinating, or inability to sense when the bladder is full
- New numbness around the groin, genitals, buttocks, or anus
- Severe pain traveling down both legs
- Loss of consciousness, confusion, chest pain, breathing difficulty, or another serious post-crash symptom
Severe or quickly worsening pain after significant trauma also deserves prompt medical attention. Chiropractic care is not a substitute for emergency evaluation.
What back pain after a crash may feel like
Some people feel a broad ache or stiffness across the lower back. Others notice a sharper pain with bending, twisting, sitting, or changing positions. Muscle guarding or spasms can make the back feel tight and difficult to move.
Pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels into a leg may indicate irritation involving a nerve. Those symptoms should be described clearly during the evaluation, especially if they are new or worsening.
What happens during an evaluation?
We begin with the collision: how the impact occurred, where you were seated, whether your body struck anything, and when the symptoms began. We also ask about prior back problems, current medications, and any emergency or urgent-care evaluation.
The examination may include back and hip movement, tender areas, strength, sensation, reflexes, orthopedic observations, and activities that reproduce or relieve symptoms. We also consider how the condition affects sitting, walking, lifting, sleep, work, and ordinary household tasks.
If the history or examination raises concern for fracture, significant nerve injury, internal injury, or another condition outside our scope, we will recommend appropriate medical evaluation.
Will I need an X-ray, CT scan, or MRI?
Most uncomplicated low-back pain does not automatically require imaging. Recent trauma changes that decision when the collision, age, bone health, symptoms, medications, or examination findings create a higher level of concern.
X-rays and CT are often used to evaluate bone injury. MRI may be considered when the examination suggests a problem involving discs, nerve roots, the spinal cord, or other soft tissues. The appropriate test depends on the clinical question.
Read more about X-rays and MRI after a car accident.
Care should match the findings
When conservative care is appropriate, treatment may include education, comfortable movement, exercise, manual care, or a progressive rehabilitation plan. The goal is not simply to reduce a pain score. We also track changes in movement, sleep, sitting tolerance, lifting, work capacity, and daily function.
No predetermined visit schedule is appropriate for every accident patient. Recommendations should change when the patient’s condition, tolerance, or progress changes. Lack of expected improvement may indicate a need to reconsider the diagnosis, treatment plan, imaging, or referral.
Learn more about our accident injury rehabilitation and auto accident care process.
Preparing for your appointment
Bring any emergency-room notes, imaging reports, medication information, and auto-insurance claim details you already have. It is helpful to note when the pain began, whether it travels into a leg, and which activities have become difficult.
You do not need to wait until every record is available before calling the clinic.
Back-pain evaluation in Taylorsville
Canyon Sports and Spine
5500 S Redwood Road, Suite 202
Taylorsville, UT 84123
Call or text: 801-449-0313
English and Spanish assistance is available. Do not send emergency concerns or sensitive medical information through an ordinary text message.
Sources
- NHS: Back pain and emergency warning signs
- RadiologyInfo and the American College of Radiology: Low-back-pain imaging
- MedlinePlus: Numbness and tingling
This page provides general education and cannot diagnose the cause of back pain or replace an individual examination.