Can a Car Accident Cause a Herniated Disc?

Can a Car Accident Cause a Herniated Disc? Here’s What You Need to Know

Back pain after a car accident is common, and sometimes doctors find a herniated disc during imaging. But here’s something many people don’t realize: just because a herniated disc is discovered after an accident doesn’t necessarily mean the accident caused it.

In fact, herniated discs often develop slowly over time due to natural aging or wear and tear on the spine. It’s possible you had a disc issue before your accident and only became aware of it afterward—especially if the trauma of the crash made your back more sensitive or irritated tissues around the disc.

At Fluid Physio, we help patients understand their injuries and recover from pain with a combination of hands-on physical therapy and movement re-education. Whether your herniated disc was caused by your accident or not, the good news is physical therapy can help you move better and feel stronger again.

Could My Herniated Disc Be Old?

Here’s the reality: herniated discs are surprisingly common, even in people without pain. Studies show that many adults—especially over age 30—have small disc bulges or herniations visible on MRIs even though they’ve never had back pain.

So, if you had a car accident and your doctor ordered imaging, they may have found a pre-existing disc issue that wasn’t causing symptoms before. The accident didn’t necessarily create the herniation, but it could have made you aware of it by:

• Causing inflammation around the disc and surrounding tissues

• Irritating nerves in the area that were previously quiet

• Making you notice stiffness or discomfort that you’d been unconsciously compensating for

This doesn’t mean your pain isn’t real—it absolutely is—but it’s important to understand where it’s coming from so you can recover effectively.

How Physical Therapy Helps, No Matter the Cause

At Fluid Physio, we specialize in helping people regain mobility and reduce pain after injuries like herniated discs—whether the problem is brand new or has been brewing for years.

Here’s how we do it:

1. Hands-On Therapy to Relieve Pain

We use gentle manual therapy to reduce pressure on irritated nerves and release tension in surrounding muscles. This can ease spasms and improve circulation, setting the stage for healing.

2. Teaching Your Body to Move Safely

After an accident, your body often protects itself by moving differently. These compensations can actually make pain worse over time. We guide you through exercises that retrain your muscles and joints to move properly again, reducing stress on the injured disc.

3. Building Strength for Long-Term Support

A strong core and stable spine are essential for preventing flare-ups. We’ll design a customized program to build deep stabilizing muscles and keep your back healthy—even if your disc issue isn’t new.

4. Advanced Deep Tissue Laser Therapy

Our clinic also offers deep tissue laser therapy, which penetrates deep into muscles and fascia to calm inflammation, promote circulation, and accelerate healing. Patients often report less pain and improved movement even after just a few sessions.

Why Choose Fluid Physio?

At Fluid Physio, we take a personalized, holistic approach to care. You’ll never be handed a generic list of exercises or rushed through treatment. Instead, we focus on understanding your body’s unique needs and giving you the tools to heal fully—whether your herniated disc happened yesterday or has been quietly developing for years.

Don’t Wait to Get Help

If you’ve been in a car accident and are experiencing back pain, it’s important to get evaluated. A herniated disc doesn’t mean you’re stuck with pain forever—and with the right care, you can get back to doing the things you love.

At Fluid Physio, we’re here to help you move better, recover faster, and feel stronger than ever.