Can a Car Accident Cause Sciatica?
Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms after a car accident?
- Lower back pain
- Pain that starts from your back and radiates down your leg
- Weakness in your leg
- New numbness or pins and needles sensations in your leg
- Difficulty with sitting or walking
If so, you could have Sciatica.
Sciatica is a condition that can happen to you because of many different reasons such as poor posture, herniated discs, or arthritis in the spine.
It’s important to note that sciatica can also happen after a traumatic event like a car accident.
Keep reading to learn more about sciatica and find out the BEST and FASTEST way to cure it.
What Causes Sciatica?
Generally, the most common causes of sciatica include:
- Herniated disc
- Disc bulge
- Spinal stenosis
- Bone spurs on the spine
- Arthritis
Sciatica can also be triggered by factors such as poor posture, too much daily sitting, improper footwear when walking or standing, pregnancy, and improper form during exercise.
How Can a Car Accident Cause Sciatica?
The leading cause of sciatica when you’ve been involved in a car accident is due to a herniated disc in your spine that compresses your sciatic nerve.
This is because the high-impact forces of a car accident can result in a disc in your back “slipping” out of place and pinching your sciatic nerve.
As a result of this added pressure on your sciatic nerve, you can get uncomfortable and painful leg symptoms which is known as sciatica.
So yes – a car accident can cause sciatica.
If you suspect you have sciatica after a car accident, recognize that there are different ways to diagnose and confirm it.
How Do You Know If You Have Sciatica After a Car Accident?
A doctor, chiropractor, or physiotherapist can assess and confirm your sciatica.
Depending on the nature of your symptoms, they might order diagnostic tests like an x-ray, CT scan, or MRI to find the exact structure that’s causing your pain or to rule out another cause of your discomfort.
Your healthcare provider will also take note of the symptoms you’re feeling and take a look at how you’re moving in order to determine if sciatica is the cause of the pain that you’re feeling after a car accident.
The Best Sciatica Treatment
Although it’s possible for sciatica to go away on its own, your sciatica could be longer-lasting or you could risk having a sciatica flare up in the future.
This is why it’s so important to see a professional to get you started on a treatment plan that heals your sciatic nerve and gets your pain under control.
Physiotherapy is one of the BEST TREATMENTS for sciatica.
Your physiotherapist can offer treatments that are highly effective, safe, and can get you relief from your sciatica in a reasonable amount of time.
Some of these physiotherapy sciatica treatments include:
- Exercise therapy: specific stretches, movements, and exercises to correct any flexibility or strength restrictions in your body that could be contributing to your sciatica.
- Postural training: evaluation of your posture to optimize your posture so that you’re not putting as much pressure on your sciatica nerve.
- Ultrasound therapy: a specialized machine that sends comfortable sound waves deep into your tissues to heal damaged structures around your sciatic nerve.
- Electrotherapy: transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (otherwise known as TENS) to reduce your sciatic nerve pain, promote muscle functioning, and decrease your pain.
- Manual therapy: a hands-on method that your physiotherapist will use to relieve nerve pain, release stiffness, and relax your muscles.
Your sciatica treatment program might include treatment from other trained healthcare members in order to provide you with more holistic care. This can include chiropractic care, massage therapy, osteopathic therapy, sports medicine, physical medicine and rehabilitation, orthopedic medicine, naturopathic medicine, and chiropractic care.
It’s important to choose a provider so that you can receive a detailed explanation about the care you need in order to heal your specific case of sciatica.
Book Your Sciatica Consult TODAY
Get started on a SAFE, EFFECTIVE, and MEDICATION-FREE treatment plan that actually addresses the root cause of your sciatica and gets rid of your pain.
Don’t shy away from getting the help you need after your car accident. The solution to your pain relief is waiting for you.
Call (437) 747-6236 or book now to secure your appointment.
We’re looking forward to helping you find relief from your pain with our knowledgeable, friendly, and committed team of experts.
This proved to be a great help.
I was experiencing severe lower back pain. I went to PhysioPlus Health Group. I was assigned an excellent therapist and had a number of acupuncture sessions. This also proved to be a great help. I believe, the establishment and the staff are of very high quality and I do not believe any of the procedures or recommendations were unnecessary. Highly recommended. –Wadih D.
This blog was written by Anna Zheng, a Physiotherapy Resident
Frequently Asked Questions
Is heat or ice better for sciatica?
Typically, it’s better to use ice for the first three days after you first notice your symptoms. Apply ice for 10 minutes on, then off for 10 minutes and repeat as needed throughout the day. Heat is better if you’ve had sciatica symptoms for more than a few days. Use heat for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off through your day as needed.
Does massage help sciatica?
Massage therapy won’t treat the underlying cause of your sciatica, but it can fit into a holistic sciatica treatment plan. Massages can help relieve pain associated with your sciatica by helping your body release natural pain relieving hormones called endorphins. Moreover, massage therapy can help loosen up tense muscles around your sciatic nerve so there’ll be less pressure on it, which can ease some of your discomfort.