Bottom Line:
Getting into a car accident can be one of the scariest experiences of your life. In an instant, your life changes, and it can be difficult both physically and emotionally to get back to normal. Fortunately, the injuries sustained in most accidents can be treated conservatively, and many don’t require surgery.

Bottom Line:
Your body wasn’t designed to deal with the forces that occur in a car accident. Even though modern cars have an array of safety features, the damage from an accident can range from small aches to life-changing injuries. The force that both your vehicle and body absorb while driving along the road is known as kinetic energy. Your vehicle has been carefully built to displace the (kinetic) energy that occurs during an accident. However, no matter what type of car you have, your body will still absorb some of the impact.

Bottom Line:
The term whiplash is the term used to describe the injuries that result from a rapid back and forth motion of the neck. These injuries can occur during a car crash, sports accident, or during a slip and fall. The most common symptoms of a whiplash injury are neck pain, headaches, and radiating pain into the shoulders, arms, and hands.

Bottom Line:
Your core is made up of the groups of muscles that provide stability in the abdominal and lower back regions. It includes your abs and the deep muscles that surround and support your spine. These muscles also coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and spine. Ideally, your core and low back work together in a balance of strength and flexibility. A lack of flexibility or strength in your core can contribute to low back pain.