How long should you have pain in your lower back after an accident?

Answer 1

There's no specific time period as it depends on the severity of damage and the person - everyone is different.

However, I will say that if the pain lasts longer than 1 or 2 weeks and it's not getting better, then you should get an MRI to rule out a disk problem. Muscle spasms aren't uncommon after any type of accident in which the back is injured, but the type of pain will give you an indication of where it's coming from. Sharp, needle pain is a nerve being compressed by a disk; dull, throbbing or burning pain is typical of muscle spasms, though they do also include the occasional sharp pain as well.

Also, if you feel the pain extending to any part of your legs, it's definitely an indication of a disk problem in the lower lumbar area. If it stops at the inner knee, the problem is at the L3/4 disk; down the back of the legs indicates the L4/5 or L5/S1 disks.

Even if the pain has gone away since submitting this question, it unfortunately doesn't mean you're completely free. If the pain was due to a damaged disk, you'll likely be susceptible to another event, since once the disk is weakened, it's always more susceptible to further damage than a healthy one. Our lower spines take a lot of stress, more than people realize. It doesn't take much to damage or herniate a previously stressed disk either - just bending over or sneezing can do it.

You can help yourself by getting yourself into a good stretching routine - by "good" I mean at least 30-45 minutes or more. Flexibility and strength in the abdominal areas are key to preventing further back problems, though it's never a guarantee once it's been damaged.