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Experiencing Numbness After a Car Accident

Are you experiencing numbness or tingling after a car accident? Most often, numbness is temporary, but in some cases can become permanent. That's why it's important to seek auto injury care to alleviate discomfort and improve mobility. There are a variety of causes for numbness after a car accident — let's review them so it's easier for you to get the appropriate treatment for your symptoms.

Reasons for Numbness and Tingling After Car Wreck

The most common reason for numbness and tingles following a car crash is nerve damage. Symptoms may last anywhere from a couple of hours to several days. Other possible reasons include:

Bulging and Herniated Discs

The forces of a car crash can cause the soft discs sitting between the vertebras to slide out of place. These discs are called bulging discs. If the disc has moved slightly but stays intact, then it's called a bulged disc. A disc that has leaked or burst open is a herniated disc. Either way, the injury puts pressure on the nearby spinal nerve.

Dislocated Bone

Partially or completely dislocated joints can cause pain, swelling, and bruising, as well as result in more serious problems, like nerve damage. These injuries can be treated by moving them back into place. Knee dislocations may damage nerves in the knee joint, causing pain and weakness in the leg. A person who has suffered this injury may be unable to put weight on the injured limb.

Paresthesia

Paresthesia is the feeling of numbness and tingles after the peripheral nerves have been pinched for too long. This happens because your blood vessels constrict and the nerves become blocked. When the pressure is removed, the pain typically goes away.

Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral nerves are vulnerable to damage after a car accident. This can lead to numbness, paralysis, or other symptoms. The peripheral nervous system includes several types of nerves (autonomic, motor, and sensory), which have different functions. Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include clumsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, overheating, excessive sweating, numbness, prickling, or tingling.

Pinched Nerve

Pinched nerves can be caused by many things, including muscle spasms, arthritis, tumors, spinal stenosis, disc herniation, cervical spondylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome, or repetitive strain injuries. Pinched nerves cause numbness and tingling sensations, and in more serious cases, sharp pains or aches.

Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or inflamed. Severe pain in the lower back, buttocks, thighs, calf muscles, or down the leg may be a sign of sciatic. This can be caused by a number of reasons — muscle strain, pinched nerves, arthritis, bone spurs, tumors, or hernias. The pain usually starts slowly but gets worse over time, potentially causing loss of feeling in the leg and foot.

Spinal Cord Compression

Spinal cord compression is caused when there's pressure on the spine, which can result in pain, numbness, or weakness in the arms, hands, legs, or feet. Depending on the severity of the compression, symptoms could be sudden or gradual. Emergency surgery is required if spinal cord compression is severe.

Treating Numbness Accident Symptoms

Nerve damage can be permanent, so you should seek immediate medical attention if you feel numbness and tingling after a car accident. While the type of treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury, here are common ways to treat numbness after a car wreck:

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a holistic non-intrusive approach for treating car accident injuries by focusing on the relationship between the nervous system and musculoskeletal structure.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists use exercises to improve circulation and strengthen muscles. Physical therapy can also help to restore strength and mobility.

Medications

If you have numbness, tingling, or paralysis, you may need medication to relieve pain and reduce swelling. In some cases, medications can also increase blood flow to the area.

Injections

Doctors inject medicine directly into the affected part of the body to ease inflammation and pain. Injections can also produce negative side effects, such as headaches, nausea, and vomiting.

Surgery

Surgery may be necessary to remove scar tissue, fix broken bones, or relieve pressure on the nerves. However, possible side effects of going under the knife include pain, fatigue, swelling, bruising, infection, nausea, vomiting, bleeding, and more.

Get Relief for Numbness and Pain

Chiropractic care has become increasingly popular over the years due to its effectiveness in treating car accident injuries, sports injuries, and other musculoskeletal issues. There are many benefits associated with chiropractic treatment, including relief from headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and much more.

Metro Chirowell is a dedicated team of chiropractic doctors in Metro West Orlando that specializes in accident and sports injuries. Contact us now to schedule a consultation for a personalized treatment plan that improves your quality of life.