About Upper Back Pain From Whiplash After A Rear-End Collision

Are you trying to figure out why you have been experiencing upper back pain after getting rear-ended in an auto accident? It is possible that your back pain is a symptom of whiplash, which is common after a rear-end collision. This article will give you more insight about whiplash, its diagnosis, and possible treatments.

The Cause of Upper Back Pain From Whiplash

When whiplash develops after a rear-end collision, it is due to the strain placed on your neck from the impact of the other vehicle. Basically, the abrupt movement of your neck during the incident caused an injury to the soft tissues in your upper back and possibly your shoulders as well. Whiplash can pull the upper area of the spine out of alignment, which is likely why you are experiencing upper back pain.

Getting Diagnosed With Whiplash

When you visit a specialist for whiplash, he or she will begin the diagnosis process by asking you questions about your symptoms. For instance, he or she will ask if you can fully move your neck and about the extent of pain experienced when it is moved. You might also be asked if you are experiencing any muscle spasms along with the pain in your upper back. Your back, neck head arms and shoulders will be examined for tenderness, as they can all be affected by whiplash. The specialist will also run imaging tests such as an x-ray and computerized tomography to determine if there are underlying conditions that can be responsible for your back pain, such as bone fractures that are not related to whiplash.

Treatments For Upper Back Pain Due To Whiplash

There are a few different treatment methods that can be used for treating whiplash, such as having to wear a foam cervical collar around your neck to limit movement until healing takes place. Being that upper back pain is the main symptom you are complaining about, it is likely that you will be prescribed medication for pain management. You might also have to undergo physical therapy so a specialist can relax the muscles in your back. If your back is in too much pain to comfortably undergo physical therapy, an injection of lidocaine can be administered to numb your muscles for comfort during the therapy sessions. Make an appointment with a specialist so he or she can examine your neck and back to find out if you are suffering from whiplash.

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