It is very common for someone involved in a PA or NJ car accident to experience back pain and/or neck pain. But do you know that this pain may not be the kind that goes away in a few days but rather could be pain resulting from a bulging disc in your spine? This type of spinal injury is often brought on by the way you are hit during an auto accident, explains Bucks County personal injury lawyer Michael L. Saile, Jr.
We all have discs composed of cartilage that sit between the vertebrae (bones) of our spine. A bulging disc is that which sticks out abnormally compared to where it should naturally exist. The bulging disc will sometimes press on surrounding nerves, causing you the pain you are feeling. While bulging discs can often be attributed to aging, they can also be brought on by severe trauma, such as a Bucks County car accident.
Bulging discs are commonly found in:
- the lower back,
- the middle back, and
- neck regions.
Nerve damage can result from a bulging disc if the amount of pressure on the nerve is great enough. Varying levels of pain can occur from bulging discs. Here are symptoms to be aware of that might alert you to the possibility that you could be suffering from a bulging disc:
- Severe pain in the area surrounding a disc
- Muscle spasms and cramping
- Tingling and numbness around the area affected
- Overall weakness
Do not attempt to diagnose yourself but rather use the symptoms as a guide. Make an appointment with your family doctor right after your involvment in any sort of accident. Your doctor will schedule you for the appropriate tests and subsequent therapy (if needed).
Treatments for a bulging disc often include:
- Resting of your back or neck to prevent further damage or inflammation.
- Avoid sitting and standing for too long and do not lift heavy objects.
- Apply a cold pack to the area that is hurt 10-20 minutes at a time (it will help reduce nerve muscle inflammation).
- Anti-inflammatory medications.
- Chiropractic care.
If you have been diagnosed with a bulging disc and you feel it is attributable to your recent Philadelphia area auto accident, contact the personal injury lawyers at Cordisco & Saile LLC. We provide guidance and answers to your questions. Start gaining information about what to do next by instantly downloading our Car Accident Book here or requesting to receive your copy by mail.
