New vehicles come out with more innovative safety features with each update. This is helpful in many ways, especially as safety features grow and change to adapt to the health concerns and needs of Americans.
Unfortunately, some safety features only target certain areas of the body, though. This leaves other body parts, like your spine and back, open to injury.
Whiplash and spinal fractures
Mayo Clinic takes a look at the damage resulting from whiplash. This is just one of many types of spinal injuries that you may experience in a crash. Whiplash occurs especially during rear-end collisions and results in the neck making a snap-like motion, whipping back and forward, hence the name.
Spinal fractures are a step more serious. This can cause muscular weakness, pain, numbness, bladder problems and more. This type of injury often requires surgery to facilitate a full recovery. You can also experience shifting discs and nerve compression due to the vertebrae absorbing much of the concussive force. Disc herniation often calls for surgery, too.
Shifting injuries
Then, you have shifting injuries. Most safety features in a car focus on protecting your head and chest. This is crucial, as damage to such areas can often prove fatal. But it also means the force of the impact often ends up shifted to the back, instead. Many spinal injuries that occur during crashes stem directly from these shifts.
One of the best things you can do for yourself is to seek immediate attention in the aftermath of a crash if you experience any physical symptoms. This is the fastest way to catch potential spine and back damage, so you can treat it quickly.