Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatica nerve gets pinched due to impact trauma event on your body such as an auto accident, a fall or other types of accident. The sciatica nerve is the longest nerve in our body and runs from the upper back all the way down to just below the knees. This nerve can be easily damaged during a forceful impact such as a car accident. This impact can result in herniated or ruptured discs, and in turn, herniated discs put pressure on the sciatica nerve causing pain. Sciatica is a collection of
Symptoms of sciatica pain
You’ll experience one or more of the following:
- Shooting pain in the lower back down to your legs,
- Numbness,
- Feeling of needles/pins in your feet,
- Tingling sensation
Diagnosing sciatica pain
Sciatica pain can manifest itself immediately after an accident or much later. Immediately after an accident your body might be in shock and mask symptoms of sciatica pain which is why you should insist of getting a full checkup by a qualified doctor after an accident.
A doctor would use diagnostic tools such as an X-Ray to get a good look at your body’s spine along with other parts of the body that were affected during the accident.
In case your symptoms show up late, you should still go ahead and be examined instead of self-medicating. If you find yourself depending on pain medication on a daily basis after an auto accident you should make an appointment to see a doctor.
Treatment options for sciatica pain
The treatment for sciatica pain depends on the severity of the injury. The first thing you need to do is locate a reputable auto injury clinic with a qualified doctor to examine your individual situation. On one hand, you may have acute sciatica which can be treated with medication and heat and cold therapies. In the case of chronic sciatica, you may need to apply physical therapy as well as exercise to minimize discomfort.
How long does it take for a sciatica nerve to heal after an accident?
The process of healing of the sciatica nerve varies from person to person and the severity of the impact that caused the problem in the first place. To ensure that your healing process is as smooth as possible, you should do the following:
- Do not self-medicate. See a doctor qualified to deal with sciatica pain and follow their advice,
- Avoid strenuous activities as you heal. Instead, choose to move around and stretch daily
Can sciatica be caused by whiplash?
In some cases whiplash, a type of injury that occurs when the head is thrust forward and backward during an accident, can cause sciatica pain when the sudden impact puts pressure on the nerve around the upper back or neck. Whiplash is a very common auto accident injury and causes a number of issues on the body including nerve damage, spinal misalignment and pain.
What to do next
If you’re suspecting you have sciatica pain due to an auto injury, come to The Brooks Clinic. Our team of board certified physicians are on hand to diagnose and treat you right away. The Brooks Clinic is a one-stop shop for all your auto injury treatment in Oklahoma. We have 4 locations and growing and our facilities and fully stocked with the equipment needed to get the job done. Our doctors are board-certified and have years of experience treating auto injury related conditions.
