Question
I was rear ended at about 35 mph.  I was wearing my selt  belt.  Other than initially feeling shook up, I did not feel any pain.  As the day progressed, I began experiencing muscle spasms and shooting pains in my back.  I went to the ER and they said it was only muscle strain.  No tests were done, and I was given valium and vicodin for the pain and told that I should be better in a couple of days.  However, I am still (3 days later) experiencing a burning sensation in my lower back and a pain in my hip.  These don't feel like sore muscles, but are an actual pain.  I can't stand or sit for more than 15 minutes without the pain in my lower back beginning. Should I return to the doctor & if so, should I request that a specific test be done, or is this to be expected from a muscle strain?  

Answer
The ER people were wrong.  It's not muscle strain (implying damage); it's muscle spasm (contraction and the burn of muscle fatigue).

Your experience is typical of whiplash injuries; it's an automatic, self-protective reaction of tightening up.  The accident made an impression on your nervous system that is still running the show.

Your problems are easily resolved by means of clinical somatic education -- a few sessions would be required to teach you to relax the involved muscular reaction.

Please see the article on whiplash injuries at somatics.com/page4.htm.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold