Having Neck Pain After a Small Fender Bender? What You Should Do

Fender benders can happen to even the very best drivers. Unfortunately, even a minor accident can have a major impact on your overall health and well-being. If you’re in a fender bender and have no apparent injuries or feel no pain, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek medical treatment. Even if the accident is very minor, you should get checked out by your medical provider to ensure you don’t have injuries.

Cuts, bruises, and broken bones are obvious injuries, but internal ones often aren’t. Many fender bender accident victims experience injuries that can develop and worsen over time, including neck pain. If you’re suffering from neck pain following an accident, here’s what you should do.

Common Causes of Neck Pain After a Fender Bender

Even a minor impact like a fender bender involves a significant amount of force. Since the neck bends and rotates, it’s the most mobile portion of the spine, and the head’s weight can place high loads on the neck. The impact of any car accident can cause the following common injuries to the neck:

Whiplash and Soft Tissue Injuries. Whiplash is the most common term for neck pain following a car accident. When the neck whips back and forth due to the impact of a collision, it can cause muscle tenderness, spasms, sprains, and strains. Stretching or tearing of tissues, tendons, or ligaments can cause neck pain that lingers if left untreated.

Facet Joint Injuries. Facet joints enable movement of the neck and are highly susceptible to damage. If the neck is hyperextended due to the impact of an accident—especially a rear-end collision—these joints can easily be dislocated, resulting in neck pain that can radiate to the head and shoulders.

If you feel headaches that radiate upward from the neck to the back of your head after a fender bender, it’s a clear indication your neck has been injured. You need to seek medical attention immediately to ensure your headaches aren’t caused by a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

Common Remedies for Fender Bender-Related Neck Pain

There are several approaches to relieving neck pain following a fender bender. Of course, consult your primary care physician for a comprehensive treatment plan. Here are some of the most effective remedies for alleviating neck pain:

Chiropractic Care. You can treat both acute and subacute neck pain effectively with quality chiropractic care and spinal manipulation. A professional chiropractor can help realign the spine and restore normal movement, which also helps treat chronic headaches after a car accident.
Manual Therapy. A quality manual relieves muscle tension and improves circulation, both of which can improve range of motion and reduce neck pain after a collision. Manual therapy is often even more effective when used in combination with chiropractic care.

Physical Therapy. Physical therapy can improve neck pain after an accident by stretching and strengthening neck muscles and soft tissues. It’s a great option if you need to regain mobility and function in a structured, safe environment.

Seek Relief From Neck Pain Today

Suffering from neck pain after a minor fender bender? The team at Impact Medical Group of Clearwater can help! We’ll create a customized treatment plan to address your symptoms and condition, so you can live a pain-free life and regain full mobility. Call us today at (727) 292-0200 to schedule your free consultation.