Car Accidents and Whiplash

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

For those who�ve suffered a car accident, whiplash type injuries should be a very serious concern. Often times, the symptoms associated with a whiplash injury can develop several weeks or even months after the incident and it can be easy for an individual to believe there were no injuries as a result of the auto collision. Because of this, a majority of people don�t seek medical treatment following the car accident. Whiplash-associated injuries are among the most common neck injuries. Whiplash is caused by an abrupt movement of the head, either backward, forward, or sideways, which damages the supporting muscles, ligaments and other connective tissues in the neck and upper back.

The term whiplash was initially utilized in 1928 to identify an injury mechanism of sudden hyperextension followed by an immediate hyperflexion of the neck, resulting in damaged muscles, tendons and ligaments, most specifically, those supporting the head. Presently, we understand that this type of injury doesn�t necessarily occur as a result of extension and flexion beyond its natural range, instead, whiplash injuries are known to occur from an extremely rapid extension and flexion of the neck in any direction.

Because of their misunderstood, complex nature and the serious impact these could have on people�s lifestyles, only a limited amount of topics in the healthcare field have created as much controversy as whiplash injuries.�In order to help the individual better comprehend the nature of whiplash-associated injuries and how these should be properly treated, it is necessary to invest some time discussing the mechanics of how whiplash injuries occur.

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The Basics of Car Accident Whiplash Injuries

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

The neck is a complex structure composed of vertebral bones, joints, discs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, nerves and other tissues. During an auto accident, the force from the impact will act against the body, frequently causing the head to jolt abruptly back-and-forth in any given direction, otherwise known as whiplash.

Individuals who were solely involved in rear-end impacts face up to a 50 percent chance of suffering from car accident whiplash injuries, and of those injured, there is also the risk they will develop further complications, such as chronic pain symptoms and/or degenerative conditions. Roughly half of all people with chronic neck pain can associate their issues to a prior car accident.

Whiplash can damage or injure the structures located around the cervical spine. The sudden motion of the neck stretches the surrounding tissues causing spinal misalignments, or subluxations, muscle, tendon and ligament strains and tears as well as pinched nerves and spinal degeneration over a period of time.

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Understanding the Importance of a Car Accident Doctor

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

When an unexpected automobile accident occurs, it�s essential to seek immediate medical attention from a recommended car accident doctor and specialist to receive a spinal evaluation and diagnose for any possible injuries or conditions, including if the individual didn�t experience any symptoms after the incident.

Because people are not readily prepared to deal with the legal processes involved during a car accident, many individuals settle their cases with the insurance companies before they�ve had a proper medical diagnosis from a healthcare professional trained in soft-tissue injuries. Moreover, once the individual has settled their case, they lose the right for care if indeed it was necessary. It�s in one�s best interest to get the attention they need to restore the original health of their body and ensure all its structures are functioning properly.

If a recent automobile accident left those involved feeling merely sore, it is still important to check the overall health of the individual as soon as possible. Whiplash, for example, is a common neck injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth jolt of the head due to an external force and its symptoms may develop 2 to 3 months after the initial injury. In addition, a large number of people whose injuries remain undetected after suffering an auto accident, may also experience neck or low back pain, numbness, muscle stiffness, headaches, fatigue and other complications over time including arthritis.

Not only are car accidents an inconvenience, many victims describe that they don�t feel like their normal selves following the events of the incident. The trauma from an injury or an aggravated condition may also cause irritability, memory loss, difficulty concentrating while awake and difficulty sleeping at night.

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The True Physical Effects of a Car Accident

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

A majority of people choose to ignore their symptoms after the car accident, hoping these will resolve on their own over time. Occasionally, the damage or injury from the incident may be so mild, the pains and aches may actually resolve on their own over a period of time, but when the discomfort begins to worsen, it�s time for them to seek immediate medical attention to properly determine the source of their symptoms and develop a proper treatment plan for each individual.

The sooner the individual receives a proper diagnosis and follows up with treatment, the sooner they will be able to return to their regular lifestyles without experiencing aches and pains as well as reduce the risk of future complications.

After visiting a healthcare provider due to symptoms from a car accident, the individual will have their injuries examined, documented and filed. Common automobile injuries such as whiplash, can present symptoms immediately after the accident, but sometimes, the symptoms can begin days, weeks and even months after the incident. Whiplash is a neck injury which occurs when the head moves abruptly back-and-forth due to the force of an impact, stretching and occasionally tearing the complex structures surrounding the cervical spine. Common whiplash symptoms can include; pain in the neck, arm, back and shoulders which is usually accompanied by headaches and muscle spasms as well as neck stiffness or tenderness, difficulty focusing and dizziness. Other symptoms include nerve injury along with a pins and needles sensation.

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Recovery for Athlete’s with Jumper’s Knee

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

During jumping sports where great amounts of stress are suddenly placed on the lower extremities of the body, patellar tendinopathy, best known as jumper�s knee, can be a frequently reported type of injury. Patellar tendinopathy, or PT, ultimately alters an athlete�s overall performance, affecting their capacity to jump, land, run and change direction. While their decline in performance can lead to decreased training tolerance, the symptoms associated with the condition also often results in missed training days and competition for a majority of athletes.

For those individuals diagnosed with PT, managing the condition can be very challenging, especially for athletes during the competition phase of a season. Because increased amounts of force are constantly being placed against the tendon, patellar tendinopathy may commonly require many treatment sessions before it can truly begin to heal. It�s essential to be patient during the rehabilitation process to achieve a full recovery.

Taking this into consideration, several guidelines may be followed in order to properly formulate a rehabilitation program to restore the original state of the individual�s patella tendon and help athletes return to their regular training routines as soon as possible.

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The Differences of Chiropractic & Allopathic Healthcare

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

When it comes to making the proper health care decision nowadays, allopathic medicine and holistic medicine are two different forms of treatment that are widely considered by the general population. Finding the best, most appropriate healthcare option for any type of complication is essential, but many often question the expertise of these varying practitioners. While allopathic and holistic approaches can differ greatly from the other, both systems are frequently used to satisfy the main concerns involving the effectiveness and speed of eliminating painful symptoms. The two offer different benefits and approaches for treating the numerous injuries and conditions people are affected by.

Allopathic medicine refers to the system of medical practice which focuses on the use of pharmacologically active agents or physical interventions, such as the use of drugs or surgery, to treat and eliminate symptoms of injury, pathophysiologic processes of disease and conditions. Holistic medicine refers to the system of healthcare that emphasizes on naturally, treating the whole person to achieve optimal health and wellness, such as chiropractic treatment, rather than solely treating the single injury, condition and their symptoms.

Although many people commonly turn to more conventional, allopathic treatments for relief of their symptoms, holistic approaches, particularly chiropractic treatment, have progressively become more popular as an alternative, treatment option.

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