Pothole Season: How Sudden Jolts Cause Neck & Back Pain

Spring is here, and with it comes pothole season—a frustrating time for drivers as roads become littered with deep cracks and holes left behind by winter’s harsh conditions. While potholes are known for damaging tires and suspensions, they can also take a serious toll on your body. Sudden jolts from hitting a pothole can lead to neck, back, and spinal pain, even if the impact seems minor at first.

At Ohio Therapy Centers, we see many patients dealing with neck and back pain caused by the unexpected force of a pothole impact. Let’s take a closer look at how potholes can injure your body, common symptoms to watch for, and what you can do to recover.

How Potholes Can Cause Neck & Back Pain

When your car hits a pothole, the impact sends a sudden shock through your vehicle, jolting your spine, neck, and muscles. Depending on the size of the pothole and the speed at which you hit it, the force can lead to:

1. Whiplash-Like Injuries

• Sudden movements from pothole jolts can cause your head to snap forward and backward, similar to what happens in a car accident.
• This can strain your neck muscles, ligaments, and upper spine, leading to stiffness, headaches, and pain.

2. Compressed or Herniated Discs

• Your spine absorbs a lot of force when driving over potholes.
• Repeated jolts can compress spinal discs, or in more serious cases, cause a disc herniation, which can lead to nerve pain, tingling, or numbness.

3. Lower Back Strain

• The sudden impact from a pothole can shock your lower back muscles and joints, causing inflammation, stiffness, and difficulty moving.
• If you already have a history of back pain, hitting a pothole can worsen pre-existing conditions.

4. Sciatic Nerve Irritation

• If the jolt affects your lower spine, it can trigger sciatic nerve pain, which may cause discomfort that radiates down your legs.
• Sciatica symptoms include burning, tingling, or sharp pain in the lower back, hips, and legs.

Signs That a Pothole Impact Has Injured Your Neck or Back

Sometimes, pain from a pothole impact doesn’t show up right away. It can take hours or even days for symptoms to develop. Here’s what to watch for:

✔️ Neck stiffness or soreness
✔️ Headaches that start at the base of the skull
✔️ Back pain, especially in the lower or upper spine
✔️ Pain that radiates into the shoulders or legs
✔️ Reduced range of motion or difficulty moving
✔️ Tingling or numbness in the arms or legs

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms after hitting a pothole, it’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible.

How Ohio Therapy Centers Can Help You Recover

If you’re suffering from neck or back pain after hitting a pothole, don’t ignore it! Left untreated, even minor injuries can become chronic problems. At Ohio Therapy Centers, we offer specialized treatments to help relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent long-term damage.

Our Treatment Options Include:

✔️ Chiropractic Care – Gentle adjustments to realign the spine and relieve pressure on nerves.
✔️ Physical Rehab – Targeted exercises to strengthen muscles and restore movement.
✔️ Spinal Decompression Therapy – Reduces pressure on herniated or compressed discs.

Don’t Let Pothole Pain Keep You Off the Road—Get Help Today!

If a pothole has left you with neck or back pain, don’t wait for it to get worse. Early treatment is key to a faster recovery!

📞 Call Ohio Therapy Centers today at 1-833-253-2020 to schedule a FREE consultation!

Let’s get you back to pain-free driving and everyday comfort!