Sciatica Symptoms after an Auto Accident

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

The spine is a complex structure surrounded by muscles, tendons, ligaments and other types of tissues. Although it is designed to be strong enough to support the weight of the head and hold the upright posture of humans, the spine is not built to withstand the shock of an automobile accident. The impact strains the muscles and ligaments in the back and the facet joints frequently bear the brunt of the force. This can result in several types of injuries, including whiplash, fractures and disc herniation. Among all these injuries and conditions, sciatica is repeatedly diagnosed throughout many accident cases.

Sciatica is best described as a set of symptoms rather than a single condition, characterized by radiating pain along the sciatic nerve, the largest single nerve in the human body.

One of the most common causes of sciatica after an auto accident is a herniated disc. The vertebral discs in the spine primarily function as a shock absorber between each vertebra. The tough yet soft jelly-like structure of the discs acts as a form of cartilaginous joint or cushion to provide smooth mobility to the spine, also acting as ligaments to hold the vertebrae of the spine together. Because the discs can absorb the majority of the shock from any direct trauma to the spine, it is possible for a disc to herniate during a car crash.

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Whiplash Injuries Causing Weakened Ligaments

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Whiplash occurs when the muscles and ligaments of the neck stretch further than their average range of motion. While symptoms of neck injury may not occur instantly, it�s essential to keep a close watch over any physical changes which may result following the accident and seek medical attention as soon as possible to properly diagnose the presence of any other spinal complications. Although whiplash is considered a relatively mild condition, it can cause long-term pain and discomfort.

During an auto collision, the sudden force of the impact causes an individual�s head to abruptly move back-and-forth in any direction, depending on the type of car crash. The rapid flexion and extension of the neck pulls and extends the muscles, straining the soft tissues around the cervical spine, occasionally causing them to tear.

After several years of research, it�s evident that the spinal ligaments can be stretched and/or torn during an automobile accident. Prior research has shown that the anterior longitudinal ligaments, the transverse ligaments, and the facet capsules, found within the neck, can be damaged or injured even in minor crashes.

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Back Pain Relief for Athletes Through Chiropractic

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Athletes are at a higher risk of suffering a back injury due to the intense physical activity they participate in. Whether the sport is gymnastics, basketball, football, weight training, or simply all around physical fitness, the spine experiences greater amounts of pressure and stress, twisting, flexion, extension and even bodily impact than an individual whom does not engage in strenuous physical activities. The demanding training and exercises of athletes can place significant amounts of force on the spine which may cause damage or injury to even the best and most fit athletes.

Although the entire spine is used during a majority of sports, it is estimated that a considerable amount of athletic injuries are associated with the lumbar spine, or low back. The prevalent rate of low back pain in athletes range from 1 percent to 40 percent. Back injuries in younger athletes are a common circumstance, resulting in 10 percent to 15 percent of individuals.

Back pain in athletes can range from a dull, constant ache to a sudden, sharp pain. Acute back pain is characterized by unexpected symptoms which usually last from several days to several weeks. Chronic back pain is identified when the symptoms last for more than three months.

Fortunately, there are a variety of treatment options available for athletes experiencing back pain and discomfort. A recent study researched numerous alternative treatments, including chiropractic care, to determine the efficiency of each when treating back symptoms. According to the study, chiropractic treatment showed the most promising results.

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Back Injuries Resulting from Auto Accidents

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

The human spine is a complex structure consisting of bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and other tissues. Spinal health is essential towards maintaining the body�s optimal performance as it functions to support an upright posture, provides flexibility to allow the body to bend and twist freely, and most importantly, it protects the spinal cord. While a healthy back can easily be taken for granted, a back injury or other type of complication may result in long-lasting consequences that could alter an individual�s aspect of daily life.

Unfortunately, back injuries are among the most common types of complications suffered after an automobile accident. Each day, thousands of individuals are involved in head-on, side-impact, and rear-end auto collisions, often leading to spinal injuries even during minor car crashes. Depending on the force of the impact, a single or multiple areas of the back may be affected. Automobile injuries can range from mild sprains and bruises to fractured vertebrae and spinal cord damage.

If you�ve had a car accident, it�s essential to take note of any symptoms of back pain, as there are a variety of spine complications which could result after experiencing an auto collision.

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The Risk of Whiplash During an Auto Accident

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Whiplash and other type of neck injuries can occur from any type of auto accident, especially a rear-end collision. During the abrupt and forceful movement from a car crash, the body goes through an extremely rapid and intense acceleration and deceleration where the individual�s head can move back-and-forth very suddenly and with great force in any direction. As a result, the soft tissues of the neck extend beyond their normal range of motion, damaging and injuring the various structures surrounding the cervical spine.

Symptoms of whiplash generally appear within 24 hours following the incident, however, sometimes the symptoms may develop after a few days, weeks, or even months after the automobile accident. Many individuals believe they are not as injured as they really are, that�s why it�s always essential to seek immediate medical attention after being involved in an auto accident in order to determine the presence of an injury or detect the early development of a much serious medical condition.

The most commonly reported symptoms of whiplash include neck pain and discomfort, accompanied by stiffness, headaches, especially at the base of the skull, dizziness, blurred vision and constant fatigue. Other, less common symptoms associated with chronic whiplash include, chronic pain on the neck, shoulder or head, difficulty concentrating or retaining memory, irritability, ringing in the ears and/or inability to get a good night�s rest.

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Rotator Cuff Tears Resulting from Auto Injury

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

The shoulder has a wider range of motion than any other joint in the body. The rotator cuff consists of four muscles and tendons which merge together to surround and protect the shoulder joint. The rotator cuff attaches the humerus to the shoulder blade, mainly functioning to provide motion to the arm, allowing it to lift and rotate in a broad extent of motions.

A tear is characterized when one of the four muscles and/or tendons around the shoulder joint become damaged or injured, usually from repetitive overuse of the shoulder, or in other cases, as a result of direct trauma from being involved in a forceful automobile accident. When a single or multiple of the rotator cuff tendons is torn, the tendon no longer fully attaches to the head of the humerus. Different types of tears may occur. A partial tear is identified as damage to the soft tissue where it hasn�t been completely severed. A full-thickness tear, also referred to as a complete tear, is identified when the soft tissue splits into two pieces. In a majority of cases, tendons may tear where they attach to the shoulder joint. With a full-thickness tear, there is essentially, a gap in the tendon.

Rotator cuff tears are most often associated with rear-end collisions, however, any type of car accident can lead to shoulder injury. During an auto accident, many individuals tend to tense up and brace their hands against the steering wheel which causes the shoulders to absorb a large amount of the force from the impact. Rotator cuff tears are very likely to occur in this instance.

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Chiropractic Treatment

by Dr Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP | Chiropractic

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a frequently diagnosed medical condition, characterized by pain, numbness and tingling sensations in the hand and arm. The well-known condition develops when one of the major nerves which runs through the hand, medically referred to as the median nerve, is compressed or impinged as it travels through the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway within the wrist that is surrounded by rigid tissues, making it minimally capable of stretching or increasing in size. �

The median nerve originates from a bundle of nerve roots found in the neck. These roots merge into a single nerve in the arm, where it then travels down the arm and forearm, passing through the carpal tunnel at the wrist and into the hand. This main nerve functions to provide feeling in the thumb and index, middle and ring fingers. The median nerve is also in charge of controlling the muscles around the base of the thumb.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common condition which may occur due to a variety of factors. Research shows that women and older individuals have a higher chance of developing this uncomfortable condition.

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