What to Do If Your Back Hurts After a Car Accident
If your back hurts after a car accident or being rear-ended, it can be alarming, and it’s important to take the right steps to ensure your health and recovery.
After a car accident, back pain is a common and concerning symptom and there could be an underlying injury. It is important to seek immediate evaluation from a Toronto physio clinic if pain persists, as this can ensure that any significant issues are addressed early.
This article explains the essential actions to take after being rear-ended. In certain cases, consulting a chiropractor Toronto near me may also be beneficial as part of a comprehensive recovery plan, helping to manage and ease chronic pain.
If your back hurts after a car crash, we can help!
We offer Direct Billing and WSIB Claims and facilitate documentation on your behalf.
CALL us on (416) 479 – 8311 TODAY
or simply book an initial assessment online below
Why Your Back Hurts
A back that hurts after a car crash is often caused by the sudden force of the impact, which can jolt your spine out of alignment or strain the muscles, ligaments, and discs that support it.
Even a low-speed collision or being rear-ended, can put stress on your neck and lower back, leading to inflammation, stiffness, or sharp pain.
In some cases, you may not feel it right away, the pain can take hours or even days to show up, and understanding how your spine responds to trauma is key to getting the right treatment.
At Core Wellness Centre, we target the root cause, whether it’s a joint issue, soft tissue injury, or nerve irritation, so you can begin healing properly and avoid long-term damage.
Causes When Back Hurts After a Car Crash
The force from the collision can stretch or tear muscles and ligaments. It can also damage the discs between your vertebrae and pain may show up right away or a few days later, especially if your neck or lower back was thrown out of place.
Signs of a More Serious Back Injury
Watch for warning signs like numbness, tingling, or trouble controlling your bladder. If you notice any of these, get help right away.
Whiplash and Your Spine
Being hit from behind often causes whiplash. That’s when your head snaps forward and back quickly, straining your neck. This can lead to pain, stiffness, and a hard time turning your head.
Why Back Pain Can Be Delayed
You might not feel pain right after the accident because of the adrenaline in your system. But if your back hurts after a car accident that shows up later, it could mean something more serious is going on.
It’s important to get checked even if it takes a day or two if symptoms that your back hurts after a car accident to appear.
If Your Back Hurts After Being Rear-Ended
Understanding the typical back injuries from rear-end collisions can help you recognize symptoms early.
Lumbar Sprains and Strains
Overstretching of muscles and ligaments in the lower back often results in sprains or strains. These injuries cause localized pain and stiffness, which usually improve with rest and physiotherapy.
Herniated Discs and Disc Bulges
The impact can cause the discs between vertebrae to shift or bulge out, potentially compressing nearby nerves. This typically results in sharp, radiating pain that may require spinal decompression therapy.
Vertebrae Fractures
Fractures of the vertebrae can occur in severe collisions. Symptoms include intense pain and swelling, and immediate treatment is necessary to prevent further complications..
Soft Tissue Damage and Its Effects
Injuries to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can lead to significant soft tissue damage and inflammation if your back hurts after being rear-ended. Treatments such as physiotherapy, or shockwave or cold laser therapy can help reduce swelling and promote healing.
Most Common Back Injuries from Car Accidents
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Muscle Strains – overstretched or torn back muscles from sudden force
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Ligament Sprains – damage to the connective tissue that stabilizes the spine
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Herniated Discs – discs between vertebrae shift or rupture, pressing on nerves
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Spinal Fractures – small cracks or breaks in the vertebrae, often from high-impact collisions
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Facet Joint Injuries – damage to the joints that link vertebrae, causing pain with movement
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Whiplash-Related Back Pain – forceful neck movement can also affect the upper and mid-back
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Nerve Compression – inflamed or displaced tissue putting pressure on spinal nerves
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Soft Tissue Bruising – deep tissue damage causing soreness, swelling, or limited motion
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Sacroiliac (SI) Joint Dysfunction – impact to the pelvis can affect joints that connect spine to hips
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Spinal Cord Injury (Severe Cases) – rare but serious damage that may affect mobility or sensation
Why Back Pain After a Car Accident Is So Common
Back pain is one of the most frequent injuries after a car accident because of how the spine absorbs force. During a collision, your body is suddenly pushed forward, backward, or sideways.
Even at low speeds, the fast movement can put stress on your back. The impact may stretch or compress the spine, affecting the bones, discs, muscles, and joints.
Rear-end collisions often cause the neck and lower back to whip suddenly, leading to strain or misalignment. In many cases, the damage isn’t visible from the outside, which is why if your back hurts after a car accident, pain can appear hours or even days later.
Types of Back Pain You Might Feel
If your back hurts after a car accident, pain can show up in many ways. Some people feel a sharp or stabbing pain in one area, while others experience a dull ache that spreads across the back.
You may notice pain that worsens when you try to move, bend, or twist, and in some cases, pain radiates down the legs, which could be a sign that a disc or nerve in the lower back might be affected.
Other symptoms can include muscle stiffness, burning sensations, or pressure in the spine. The type of pain you feel can give clues about the specific injury or area affected.
Why Choose Core Wellness Centre
At our multidisciplinary clinic in Toronto, we offer a team-based approach to treating a back hurts after a car accident.
Core Wellness Centre combines chiropractic care, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy (RMT), and osteopathy to provide a complete and personalized treatment plan.
Each therapy targets a different part of your recovery,
so you get faster, more lasting results.
Our Chiropractor, Dr Kris, focuses on spinal alignment and joint movement and gentle, hands-on adjustments to reduce pressure on nerves, restore mobility, and relieve pain caused by misalignment. This is especially helpful if your back hurts after a car accident, when the spine may be pushed out of position.
Physiotherapy supports healing through guided movement, strength building, and flexibility work. Our physiotherapy team will help you correct posture, improve core stability, and rebuild function so you can return to daily activities with less risk of reinjury.
By combining these therapies, along with RMT massage to release muscle tension and osteopathy for whole-body balance, we address both the symptoms and the root causes of your pain.
You don’t have to figure it out alone, our team at Core Wellness Centre
works together to guide your recovery every step of the way.
Experiencing back pain after a car accident? Book an assessment with the Core Wellness Centre Team today.
CALL us on (416) 479 – 8311 or simply book online below
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How soon should I see a professional after my back hurts from a car accident?
A: At Core Wellness Centre, we recommend you seek care as soon as possible if you’re experiencing pain or any symptoms following a car accident. Early intervention is crucial in preventing further complications and promoting a smoother recovery.
Q: What types of back injuries are common after a rear-end collision?
A: After a rear-end collision, we often see injuries such as muscle sprains and strains, herniated discs and spine injuries. Our team of dedicated chiropractic care and physiotherapists are equipped to assess and treat these conditions through a combination of personalized treatment plans and other specialized treatments.
Q: Can alternative therapies assist with my recovery?
A: Absolutely! Many of our clients find significant relief through our diverse range of services, including chiropractic adjustments, physiotherapy, registered massage therapy (RMT), and osteopathy. These approaches can be very effective in managing pain and restoring function.
By taking proactive steps and seeking the right care, you can empower your recovery journey and move towards better health after your accident. Remember, we’re here to support you every step of the way!
Call the Core Wellness Centre Team on (416) 479 – 8311
to book an initial assessment today!
