Auto Accident Recovery

A woman wearing a pink sweater and a head and body harness undergoing a gait analysis or physical therapy test while a therapist or technician assists and monitors her. The setting appears to be a medical or physical therapy office with computer equipment in the background.

Understanding Spinal Injuries After an Accident

Even low-speed collisions, as little as 5 mph, can lead to significant spinal injuries, many of which may not produce symptoms right away. At Body In Balance, we specialize in the accurate diagnosis and effective treatment of these injuries to support full recovery and prevent chronic dysfunction.

The Three Most Common Spinal Injuries Following a Collision:

  1. Spinal Fractures: Breaks or cracks in the vertebrae, typically diagnosed through standard X-ray imaging.

  2. Disc Herniations: Damage to the intervertebral discs that act as shock absorbers for the spine. These are best visualized with MRI and can cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness.

  3. Spinal Ligament Injuries: Often the most severe and commonly overlooked. These injuries involve damage to the ligaments that stabilize the spine, resulting in spinal instability, nerve irritation, chronic pain, and accelerated joint degeneration.

    We use the latest diagnostic technology, including Computerized Radiographic Mensuration Analysis (CRMA), a motion-based X-ray study that precisely measures spinal ligament integrity. This advanced approach allows us to detect injuries that are frequently missed in traditional assessments.

A woman performing a chiropractic adjustment on a man lying face down on a chiropractic table in a well-lit room.

Why This Matters

While disc injuries can be painful and disruptive, spinal ligament injuries are often the root cause of long-term symptoms and disability. Unfortunately, they are rarely evaluated properly. Our team is trained to identify and treat these complex injuries early, when intervention is most effective.

We believe informed patients make empowered decisions. That’s why we offer comprehensive patient education resources, including:

  • In-office consultations to walk you through your imaging results

  • Educational handouts and video materials on spinal health and injury recovery

  • Personalized care plans that outline each step of the healing process

Our neurologically-based approach to care focuses not only on symptom relief but also on addressing the underlying cause of dysfunction. With your active involvement and our clinical expertise, we’ll guide you through a care plan designed to help you heal fully and return to living your life pain-free.

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