Neck and back injuries from car accidents · Canton, OH
Automobile injury treatment in Canton, OH
Automobile injuries are neck, back and nerve injuries caused by a car crash, such as whiplash, low back strain or a disc injury. Symptoms can show up hours or days later. At Belden Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center in Canton, OH, we start with a full exam, then walk you through non-surgical care options.
Reviewed by Dr. Brent Ungar, DC · Last reviewed [date]
- 40+ years in practice
- Non-surgical care
- Massage therapy on site
Automobile injuries at a glance
| Also called | Car accident injury, auto injury, motor vehicle injury |
|---|---|
| Body area | Neck, upper back, low back and shoulders, sometimes the arms or legs |
| Structures involved | Muscles, ligaments, joints, discs and nerves of the spine |
| Common symptoms | Neck pain, headaches, dizziness, low back pain, pain, numbness or tingling into an arm or leg |
| Common causes | Rear-end, side and front collisions, including low-speed crashes |
| How we evaluate | Health and accident history, physical and neurological exam, imaging if needed |
| Care options | Chiropractic adjustments, physical rehabilitation, massage therapy, spinal decompression for disc injuries |
| Referral or insurance questions? | [confirm referral and auto insurance wording with practice] |
What is an automobile injury?
An automobile injury is any injury to the body from a car crash. The most common are whiplash, low back strain and disc or nerve injuries, caused when the sudden force of a collision stretches or compresses the muscles, ligaments, joints and discs of the spine.
How badly you are hurt depends on the speed, the types of vehicles and the direction of impact. Even a slow collision, such as being hit from behind at a stoplight, can cause painful injuries.
Some injuries start as minor aches and get worse over days or weeks. That is why it helps to get checked after a crash, even if you feel fine, and why care starts with a full exam.
Car accident injury symptoms and causes
What do car accident injuries feel like?
Symptoms may show up right away or hours to days after the crash.
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Headaches, often at the base of the skull
- Dizziness
- Low back pain, or trouble standing and walking
- Pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or legs
- Pain or tingling that affects sleep or daily tasks
What causes car accident injuries?
The sudden force of a crash moves the body faster than the muscles can protect it.
- The head whipping back and forth (whiplash)
- Strain on the large muscles of the low back
- Pressure on the discs in the neck or low back
- Irritated or pinched nerves
- Hitting the steering wheel, door or seat belt
- Factors that affect injury: speed, vehicle size, direction of impact, head position, seat and headrest setup
Which car accident injury is it?
A crash can cause more than one injury at the same time. Your exam helps sort out what is hurt and what care fits.
| Feature | Whiplash | Low back strain | Disc or nerve injury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where it hurts | Neck, upper back and shoulders | Low back, sometimes the buttocks | Neck or low back, traveling into an arm or leg |
| Other signs | Neck stiffness, dizziness, headaches at the base of the skull | Muscle spasm, trouble standing up straight or walking | Numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm, hand, leg or foot |
| Often worse with | Turning your head or looking up or down | Bending, lifting, standing or walking | Certain positions, coughing, sneezing or long sitting |
Get emergency care right away if
- You have severe neck pain or cannot move your neck
- You lost consciousness, feel confused or have a headache that keeps getting worse
- You have new or worsening numbness, tingling or weakness in your arms or legs
- You lose control of your bladder or bowels
- You have chest or belly pain, or trouble breathing
- You have vision changes, trouble speaking or repeated vomiting
What to expect at our Canton office
Our typical process involves:
- Obtaining a thorough history of the problem and health history of the patient
- Performing a complete examination of the patient
- Obtaining any diagnostic tests (if necessary) to better understand the problem
- Discussing the diagnosis with you
- Reviewing the findings and treatment options with you
Every case is different and results vary.
Your first visit after a car accident
Before
Wear comfortable clothes. Bring any emergency room or urgent care records, imaging reports, a list of medications and your auto insurance claim information.
During
We ask how the crash happened and when your symptoms started, then check your movement, reflexes, strength and sensation.
After
We explain what we found and the options that fit, so you can decide how to move forward.
Auto injury care options in Canton
Every care plan depends on your exam. Options your provider may recommend include:
- Chiropractic adjustments Gentle, targeted care to restore how the neck and back move after a crash.
- Physical rehabilitation Guided exercises to rebuild strength, flexibility and posture.
- Massage therapy Hands-on work to ease tight, guarded muscles in the neck, shoulders and back.
- Spinal decompression Slow, computer-guided stretch that may help when a disc injury is pressing on a nerve.
If your exam shows an injury that needs other care, your provider can refer you and coordinate with your physician.
Hurting after a car accident, even a minor one?
Your auto injury care team
Dr. Brent Ungar, DC
Chiropractic Physician | Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician | Laser Therapy Educator
Dr. Anthony Gatelaro, DC
Chiropractic Physician | Over 30 Years of Experience
Car accident injury questions we hear in Canton
It can help. Some injuries, like whiplash, cause symptoms that show up hours or days later. An exam can find problems early and gives you a record of your condition after the crash. If you have warning signs such as severe pain or confusion, go to the emergency room first.
As soon as you can, ideally within a few days. Get emergency care first if you have severe pain, numbness, weakness or signs of a head injury. Getting checked early also helps document your injuries.
Yes. Even a slow collision, such as being hit from behind at a stoplight, can strain the neck and back. How much you are hurt depends on many factors, including speed, vehicle size, head position and the direction of impact.
Whiplash is a neck injury caused when the head snaps back and forth during a crash. It can strain the neck muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves and discs, and it often causes neck pain, stiffness, headaches and dizziness.
[Confirm auto insurance, MedPay and billing wording with practice]
Belden Village Chiropractic and Wellness Center treats automobile injuries at 4200 Munson Street NW, Suite B, in Canton, near North Canton, Massillon and the Belden Village area.
Visit our Canton office
- Address
- 4200 Munson Street NW, Suite B, Canton, OH 44718
- Phone
- 330-493-0009
- Hours
- Mon–Thu: Dr. Ungar 7:45 a.m.–6 p.m.
Mon–Thu: Dr. Gatelaro 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fri–Sun: Closed - Parking
- [parking and entrance notes]
Patients visit us from Canton, North Canton and across Stark County.
Get checked after your car accident
Start with a full exam and a clear talk about your options. Call 330-493-0009 or send a request.