Call NowCan Accident-Related Neck Pain Travel To My Lower Back? Yes, Here’s How They’re Connected
Neck injuries are very common after an accident because there’s nothing to keep your head held in place during a crash, but what may seem like only neck pain at first can easily turn into something much worse without the right treatment. Learn more about how accident-related neck pain can travel to your lower back before consulting your local chiropractors at Impact Medical Plant City for effective treatment options near you!
Your Neck’s Anatomy and Its Relation to Your Spine
Unless you’re in the medical field, it can be easy to forget that your neck is directly connected to your back. That’s why the pain in your neck may feel like a solidated injury at first before slowly progressing to your lower back if you don’t see a professional. Both of these parts (and more) are all part of your spine or vertebrae.
To be more precise, your vertebrae begin from the cervical spine where your neck is located, and end at the lumbar spine which includes your lower back. Your entire spinal cord acts as one, granting you support and flexibility while also sharing pain and other symptoms.
Why Neck Pain Seems to Shoot Down Your Spine
The way neck pain reaches the lumbar is through your nervous system protected within the spine. The nerves inside transmit pain receptors from one end to another which causes the sensation of shooting pain that you feel from your neck to your lower back. Alternatively, any pain originating from the back can travel up the spine to your neck and head.
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Referred pain (or referring pain) is the pain you feel in areas that are located a distance away from the original source of the injury by using the pathways in your nervous system. |
Common Types of Accident Injuries That Cause This Sensation
Remember how we mentioned at the beginning of this article that the head has no way to stabilize itself in the event of a crash? This fact is the reason why whiplash injuries are common during an accident, and often the source for neck pain. Whiplash involves your head being rocked from side to side, putting immense strain on your neck. Of course, there are many more injuries that auto accident doctors check for that can cause neck pain ranging from mild discomfort to extremely severe cases.
Other factors that can induce neck pain include:
- Strained muscles
- Compressed nerves
- Poor posture
- Severe trauma
- Degenerative disc disease
How Can I Deal With Radiating Neck Pain?
For neck pain that affects the rest of the spine, we typically recommend chiropractic care and physical therapy with suggestions for surgery only when absolutely necessary. We like to start with chiropractors who provide natural neck pain treatment if it can be helped, especially when the pain is caught early enough before it can escalate and hinder your daily activities. Although neck pain should be treated with urgency, there’s also no instance when it’s too late for physical therapy.
Let Impact Medical Alleviate Your Neck and Back Pain
If you’re experiencing neck pain that’s traveling to your lower back, Impact Medical Plant City offers everything you need for effective treatment and pain relief including physical therapy, chiropractic care, and surgery options. Call our friendly staff today at 813-214-8330 to schedule your next appointment!