Back Clinic Personal Injury Chiropractic Team. Injuries from an accident can not only cause physical harm to you or a loved one, being involved in a personal injury case can often be a complicated and stressful situation to handle. These types of circumstances are unfortunately fairly common and when the individual is faced with pain and discomfort as a result of trauma from an accident or an underlying condition that has been aggravated by the injury, finding the right treatment for their specific issue can be another challenge on its own.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s compilation of personal injury articles highlights a variety of personal injury cases, including automobile accidents resulting in whiplash, while also summarizing various effective treatments, such as chiropractic care. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Whiplash is a neck injury where, because loads and displacements develop in the neck, they have become the main interest in the study of whiplash injury mechanisms. Human subject studies, however, have only reported the peak speed of the head relative to a fixed reference frame.
Since head acceleration is often the result of the head-restraint impact, these peak values might be conducive to whiplash injury and do not reflect loads developed in the tissues of the neck. The kinematics of the head have been computed relative to the axis between the C7-T1 vertebra to supply a better indication of the dynamics. The first peak in the acceleration trace results from the torso’s acceleration relative to the still-stationary head.
This peak is the larger and later acceleration peak, governed by the impact between the head restraint and the head. When head acceleration is measured, a result that highlights the importance of quantifying the head’s relative rather than absolute dynamics, the first negative peak isn’t observed.
Cause of Whiplash Injuries
Cadaveric, animal and human subject experiments have led investigators to propose various anatomical sites for whiplash injury, including the cervical facet joints, facet capsular ligaments, vertebral arteries, dorsal root ganglia, craniovertebral junction, and cervical muscles. Muscle injury could be responsible for some symptoms in patients; however, of the anatomical sites listed above, only the facet joints have been linked to chronic whiplash pain. The facet joints have become the focus of research directed at understanding the mechanical basis for chronic whiplash injuries.
In a study conducted by researchers and colleagues (1996), chronic whiplash pain was relieved in about 60% of whiplash patients by anesthetizing medial branches of the cervical dorsal rami. Articular branches from these nerves run through the capsular tissues and presumably originate in the capsular tissue from mechanoreceptors and nociceptors. Possible injury sites inside the facet joints include fractures of the bony elements, bruising of the rectal folds (menisci), or ruptures or tears of the capsular ligament. Skeletal fractures and aspect hemarthroses are not commonly observed in whiplash patients and are therefore related to loading. Bruising of the folds is common after fatal chest or head injury, and motions of the cervical vertebra consistent with this type of injury have been documented during the severe loading associated with whiplash injury in human subjects.
Cineradiography used to inspect the intervertebral motion of subjects exposed to simulated influences has shown that the C5 vertebra rotates about a stage than during voluntary expansion moves. This movement pattern resulted in compression of the facet joints posteriorly through impact-induced motion during activity and increased distraction of the vertebral bodies anteriorly. These researchers proposed that the posterior synovial fold might be pinched by rear compression of the facet joints though this altered motion was detected in only four of six subjects. This proposed mechanism of injury is promising. Follow-up research that quantifies the loads applied to the meniscus during whiplash exposures and the loads necessary to injure the meniscus is needed to confirm whether this proposed injury mechanism occurs at the loads generated during collisions that produce a whiplash injury.
The facet joint capsules contain fine, unmyelinated nerves that likely have a nociceptive function. Distending these ligaments by injection of contrast media has generated whiplash-like pain patterns in normal individuals. Tears or ruptures to the cervical facet joint capsular ligaments have also been observed under severe loading conditions. Excess capsular ligament strain was proposed as a mechanism for whiplash injury under minor- to moderate-loading requirements. With subsequent loading to failure, the technology strain in the capsular ligaments under both whiplash-like heaps and cadaveric motion sections has recently been quantified. Maximum strains in the facet joint capsular ligaments under loads were, on average, half. In two of the 13 specimens, the top songs observed in the ligament under whiplash-like heaps were larger than those detected in their initial failure.
This finding suggested that the neck loads developed during an automobile accident could injure some individuals’ facet capsular ligaments. Further work is needed to determine if these ruptures generate pain and whether the subcatastrophic failures identified with breaks inside the capsular ligaments in the response of the tissues correlate.
Whiplash injury has proved difficult to research because its pathoanatomy has remained poorly understood. The facet joints have been isolated as a site of chronic pain in many populations.
A better understanding of the etiology of whiplash injury will lead to improved care and injury prevention methods. Human subject testing has provided the essential kinematic and kinetic response information needed to conduct tests of those cells, and tissue evaluations have led to a possible mechanical explanation for whiplash injury. Additional research is required to complete the connection between the whiplash symptoms experienced by some people and an automobile accident.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, is frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine and the rest of the spine. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
Studies on the effectiveness of chiropractic care for patients afflicted with pain secondary to whiplash injury are emerging. In 1996, Woodward et al. published a study on the efficacy of chiropractic treatment of whiplash injuries.
In 1994, Gargan and Bannister published a paper on the recovery rate of patients and found that when patients were still symptomatic after three months, there was almost a 90% chance they would remain injured. The study’s authors were from the Department of Orthopedic Surgery in Bristol, England. No conventional treatment was shown to be effective in these based chronic whiplash injury patients. However, high success rates have been found by whiplash injury patients through chiropractic care in recovering these types of patients.
Whiplash Treatment Study Results
In the Woodward study, 93 percent of the 28 patients studied retrospectively were found to have a statistically significant improvement following chiropractic care. Chiropractic care in this study consisted of PNF, spinal manipulation, and cryotherapy. Most of the 28 patients had prior therapy with NSAIDs collars and physiotherapy. The average length of time before when the patients began chiropractic care was 15.5 months post-MVA (range of 3-44 months).
This study documented what most DCs experience in clinical practice: chiropractic care is effective for individuals hurt in a motor vehicle accident. Symptoms ranging from headaches to back pain, neck pain, interscapular pain, and extremity pain related to paresthesias all responded to quality chiropractic care.
Normal & Whiplash X-Rays
Whiplash MRI Findings
The literature has also suggested cervical disc injuries aren’t uncommon after a whiplash injury. In a study published on chiropractic care for disk herniations, it was demonstrated that patients improve clinically and that repeated MRI imaging often shows decreased size or resolution of the disk herniation. Of the 28 patients studied and followed, many had disc herniations that reacted well to chiropractic care.
In a recent retrospective study by Khan et al., published in the Journal of Orthopedic Medicine, on whiplash-injured patients concerning cervical pain and dysfunction, patients were stratified into groups based on levels of a good outcome to chiropractic care:
Group I: Patients with neck pain only and restricted neck ROM. Patients had a “coat hangar” distribution of pain with no neurologic deficits; 72 percent had a fantastic outcome.
Group II: Patients with neurological symptoms or signs and limited spinal ROM. Patients had numbness, tingling, and paresthesias in the extremity.
Group III: Patients had severe neck pain with full neck ROM and bizarre pain distributions from the extremities. These patients often described chest pain, nausea, vomiting, blackouts, and dysfunction.
The results of the study showed that in class I, 36/50 patients (72%) reacted well to chiropractic care: in group II, 30/32 patients (94 percent) responded well to chiropractic care; and in group III, only 3/11 instances (27%) responded well to chiropractic care. There was a significant difference in outcomes between the three groups.
This study provides new evidence that chiropractic care is effective for whiplash-injured patients. However, the study didn’t consider patients with back injuries, extremity injuries, and TMJ injuries. It did not identify which patients had disc injuries, radiculopathy, and concussive brain injury (most likely group III patients). These types of patients respond better to a model of chiropractic care in combination with multidisciplinary providers.
These studies show what most DCs have already experienced, that the doctor of chiropractic should be the principal care provider in these cases. It’s a common opinion that in cases like group III patients, care should be multidisciplinary to achieve the best possible outcome in difficult scenarios.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Automobile Accident Injuries
Whiplash, among other automobile accident injuries, is frequently reported by victims of an auto collision, regardless of the severity and grade of the accident. Whiplash is generally the result of an abrupt, back-and-forth jolt of the head and neck in any direction. The sheer force of an impact can cause damage or injury to the cervical spine and the rest of the spine. Fortunately, a variety of treatments are available to treat automobile accident injuries.
After a car accident, you may notice neck pain. It could be a slight soreness you think is nothing but take care of. More than likely, you have whiplash. And that little soreness can turn into a lifetime of chronic neck pain if only treated with pain meds and not treated at the source.
Whiplash trauma, aka neck sprain or neck strain, is an injury to the soft tissues around the neck.
Whiplash can be described as a sudden extension or backward movement of the neck and flexion or forward movement of the neck.
Severe whiplash can also include injury to the following:
Intervertebral joints
Discs
Ligaments
Cervical muscles
Nerve roots
Symptoms of Whiplash
Most people experience neck pain either immediately after the injury or several days later.
Other symptoms of whiplash trauma can include:
Neck stiffness
Injuries to the muscles and ligaments around the neck
Headache and dizziness
Symptoms & possible concussion
Difficulty swallowing and chewing
Hoarseness (possible injury to the esophagus and larynx)
The sensation of burning or prickling
Shoulder pain
Back pain
Diagnosis of Whiplash Trauma
Whiplash trauma usually causes damage to the soft tissues; a doctor will take x-rays of the cervical spine in case of delayed symptoms and rule out other problems or injuries.
Treatment
Fortunately, whiplash is treatable, and most symptoms resolve completely.
Most often, whiplash is treated with a soft cervical collar.
This collar may need to be worn for 2 to 3 weeks.
Other treatments for individuals with whiplash may include the following:
Heat treatment for relaxing muscle tension and pain
Pain meds such as analgesics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
Some people will tell you that whiplash is a made-up injury that people use to get more money in a settlement stemming from an accident. They do not believe it is possible in a low-speed rear-end accident and see it as a legitimate injury claim, mainly because there are no visible marks.
Some insurance experts claim that about a third of whiplash cases are fraudulent, leaving two-thirds of the cases legitimate. Much research also supports the claim that low-speed accidents can indeed cause whiplash, which is very real. Some patients suffer from pain and immobility for the rest of their lives.
NCBI Resources
Chiropractors will use different techniques to relieve the pain of whiplash and help with healing.
Chiropractic Adjustment The chiropractor performs spinal manipulation to move the joints into alignment gently. This will help to align the body to relieve pain and encourage healing.
Muscle Stimulation and Relaxation This involves stretching the affected muscles, relieving tension, and helping them relax. Finger pressure techniques may also be combined with trying to alleviate pain.
McKenzie Exercises These exercises help with disc derangement that whiplash causes. They are first performed in the chiropractor’s office, but the patient can be taught how to do them at home. This helps the patient have some degree of control over their healing.
Each whiplash case is different. A chiropractor will evaluate the patient and determine the appropriate treatment case-by-case basis. The chiropractor will determine the best course of treatment that will relieve your pain and restore your mobility and flexibility.
Whiplash-associated disorders, or WAD, describe injuries sustained from sudden acceleration/deceleration movements. It is a common outcome after a motor vehicle collision but can also be caused by sports injuries, falls, or assaults. Whiplash refers to the mechanism of the injury, while WAD refers to the presence of symptoms like pain, stiffness, muscle spasm, and headaches. A WAD prognosis is unpredictable, with some cases remaining acute with a full recovery, while others progress to chronic conditions with long-term symptoms and disability. Early intervention recommendations include rest, chiropractic care and physical rehabilitation, massaging and stretching exercises, and an anti-inflammatory diet.
Whiplash Associated Disorders
Cervical hyperextension injuries happen to drivers and passengers of moving, slow-moving (less than 14 miles per hour), and stationary vehicles when struck from behind.
The individual’s body is thrown forward, but the head does not follow the body and instead whips forward, resulting in hyperflexion or extreme forward movement of the neck.
The chin limits forward flexion, but the momentum can be sufficient to cause cervical distraction and neurological injuries.
When the head and neck have reached maximum flexion, the neck snaps back, resulting in hyperextension or extreme backward movement of the neck.
Pathology
Most WADs are considered soft tissue-based injuries with no fractures.
Stages
The injury goes through stages:
Stage 1
The upper and lower spine experiences flexion in stage one.
Stage 2
The spine takes on an S-shape while extending and eventually straightens, causing lordosis.
Stage 3
The entire spine is hyperextending with an intense force that causes the facet joint capsules to compress.
Symptoms
Whiplash-associated disorders can be classified through grades by the severity of symptoms, including neck pain, stiffness, occipital headache, cervical, thoracic, and lumbar back pain, upper-limb pain, and paraesthesia.
Grade 0
No complaints or physical symptoms.
Grade 1
Neck complaints but no physical symptoms.
Grade 2
Neck complaints and musculoskeletal symptoms.
Grade 3
Neck complaints and neurological symptoms.
Grade 4
Neck complaints and fracture and/or dislocation.
Most cervical fractures occur predominantly at C2 or C6, or C7.
A chiropractor will identify areas of restricted joint motion, muscle tension, muscle spasm, intervertebral disc injury, and ligament injury.
They will analyze posture, and spinal alignment, check for tenderness, tightness, and how well the spinal joints move.
This will allow the chiropractic physical therapy team to understand the injured body mechanics and how the spine is operating to make a thorough diagnosis.
The doctor will order imaging tests like an x-ray or an MRI to evaluate any degenerative changes that may have existed before the whiplash injury.
Once the injury has been accurately diagnosed, the chiropractor will design a personalized treatment plan.
Spinal Adjustments
Spinal manipulation is applied to areas of the spine that are out of alignment to realign the spine and activate the healing process.
Flexion-distraction technique is a gentle technique that uses slower, less intense pushing motions on the discs used to treat disc herniations that often occur after a whiplash injury.
Instrument-assisted manipulation utilizes special instruments to apply various forces or massage settings to the area.
Targeted spinal manipulation targets specific areas to rework, release, and rebuild the structures.
Massage Therapy stimulates the affected muscles to relax them from their tense state.
A treatment plan may utilize:
Instrument-assisted therapy
Trigger point therapy
Resistance-based stretches to rehabilitate soft tissue damage.
Our chiropractic team is ready to help you feel your best so you can return to normal activities and get on with your life.
Ritchie, C., Ehrlich, C. & Sterling, M. Living with ongoing whiplash-associated disorders: a qualitative study of individual perceptions and experiences. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 18, 531 (2017). doi.org/10.1186/s12891-017-1882-9
Sterling, Michele. “Whiplash-associated disorder: musculoskeletal pain and related clinical findings.” The Journal of manual & manipulative therapy vol. 19,4 (2011): 194-200. doi:10.1179/106698111X13129729551949
Wong, Jessica J et al. “Are manual therapies, passive physical modalities, or acupuncture effective for the management of patients with whiplash-associated disorders or neck pain and associated disorders? An update of the Bone and Joint Decade Task Force on Neck Pain and Its Associated Disorders by the OPTIMa collaboration.” The spine journal: official Journal of the North American Spine Society vol. 16,12 (2016): 1598-1630. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2015.08.024
Woodward, M N et al. “Chiropractic treatment of chronic ‘whiplash’ injuries.” Injury vol. 27,9 (1996): 643-5. doi:10.1016/s0020-1383(96)00096-4
Forklifts, also known as lift trucks, are used for loading, unloading, and transporting various goods and materials in construction, shipping, and retail industries. They are heavy-duty equipment and require extensive training to operate safely. Forklifts are involved in many serious workplace accidents causing thousands of injuries annually. Chiropractors specialize in injury care and rehabilitation from vehicle accidents and collisions. They can help restore optimal musculoskeletal function and health through adjustments, massage, decompression, and traction therapies.
Forklift Operation
The forklift is one of the most widely used pieces of equipment to raise, lower, or remove pallets, boxes, crates, or other containers and transport and stock goods and materials. There are a variety of lift trucks that include:
The weight, speed, and operation difficulty increase the risk of an accident, increasing the risk of injuries. Other factors include:
They can reach up to 20 miles per hour or more.
They have front braking systems making it harder to stop.
The weight distribution is in the back.
The rear wheels turn instead of the front, causing tip-overs.
Most carry their loads in front and can obstruct an operator’s view.
Lifting too heavy a load can destabilize a forklift and cause it to turn over.
Accident and Injury Causes
Federal work safety regulations require individuals to complete a training program to operate a forklift safely. The most common causes of accidents include:
Lack of training and experience.
Lack of safety equipment – helmets, seatbelts, grab handles, roll cages, cage guards, warning lights, and sirens.
Lack of maintenance – bent forks, no load backrest, unbalanced wheels, etc.
Improper loading – off center, damaged goods, loose loads.
Lifting, moving or tilting the mast too fast.
Riding with a raised load.
Speeding.
Improper backing-up techniques.
Poor communication.
Horseplay.
Giving rides.
Failing to immobilize the machine when the operator leaves.
Failing to pay attention to the position of the forks.
Failing to yield to pedestrians.
Traveling up or down unsafe inclines.
Driving off the side of a ramp.
Design or manufacturing defects.
Common Accidents
The most common type of accidents involve:
Tip-overs and Rollovers.
Falling off the lift.
Getting struck by falling materials or objects.
Pedestrian injuries like getting hit by the vehicle or tripping over the forks.
Getting caught in or compressed/crushed by the vehicle or objects.
Injuries
The most common injuries that result from lift accidents include:
Chiropractic therapy can help heal and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries. A chiropractic team will relieve pain symptoms and restore the body’s alignment and function. Treatment includes:
Adjustments
To gently realign joints.
Decrease pain.
Increase range of motion.
Improves posture.
Soft-tissue massage
To relax tight muscles.
Relieve spasms.
Release tension in the connective tissue surrounding the muscles.
Reduces pain.
Improves the range of motion of the spine and joints.
Exercises and stretches
To restore and maintain flexibility, joint stability, and mobility.
Joint bracing and taping
To support sprained joints or muscles during healing.
Health Coaching
Guides diet and nutrition to reduce inflammation and promote healthy eating to manage weight.
Forklift Fails
References
Bage, T et al. “Forklift-related lower limb injuries: a retrospective case series study with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).” Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England vol. 103,10 (2021): 730-733. doi:10.1308/rcsann.2020.7124
Born, C T et al. “Patterns of injury and disability caused by forklift trucks.” The Journal of trauma vol. 40,4 (1996): 636-9. doi:10.1097/00005373-199604000-00020
Hong, Choon Chiet, et al. “Forklift-Related Crush Injuries of the Foot and Ankle.” Foot & ankle international vol. 36,7 (2015): 806-11. doi:10.1177/1071100715576486
Ull, Christopher et al. “Injuries after Forklift Trucks Accidents – Injury Patterns, Therapy and Outcome in the Context of the Statutory Accident Insurance.” “Gabelstaplerunfälle – Verletzungsmuster, Therapie und Outcome im berufsgenossenschaftlichen Kontext.” Zeitschrift fur Orthopadie und Unfallchirurgie, 10.1055/a-1402-1649. 19 Apr. 2021, doi:10.1055/a-1402-1649
Waters, Thomas et al. “Lower back disorders among forklift operators: an emerging occupational health problem?.” American journal of industrial medicine vol. 47,4 (2005): 333-40. doi:10.1002/ajim.20146
The body is designed to move. For individuals who spend a significant amount of time driving each day, whether for a living or a long commute, over time can lead to headaches, neck and back pain, sciatica, and increases the risk for serious injury. Chiropractic can retrain individuals to practice healthy driving posture. This is accomplished through decompression and massage therapy combined with recommended stretches/exercises, and an anti-inflammatory diet will bring pain relief and help prevent injury.
Healthy Driving Posture
Two main reasons driving impacts the back are poor posture and being in a fixed position for an extended period. Individuals who regularly drive for more than 4 hours a day are more at risk. An unhealthy driving posture can lead to an increased risk of discomfort/pain in the:
Over time these issues can become chronic, making the body vulnerable to various injuries.
Back Pain Symptoms
Sometimes back pain needs immediate medical attention if any of the following symptoms present:
Inflammation in the back.
Swelling on the back.
Constant pain does not go away or ease up after resting or movement.
Pain in the upper back that radiates to the chest.
A high temperature.
Unexplained weight loss.
Loss of bladder or bowel control.
Numbness or tingling around the buttocks or groin area.
Driving Recommendations
Spine Support
Slide the tailbone as close to the back of the seat as possible.
Leave a gap between the back of the knees and the front of the seat.
If the vehicle doesn’t allow for the proper position, a back support cushion can help.
Raise The Hips
If possible, adjust the area you sit on, so the thighs are supported along their entire length.
The knees should be slightly lower than the hips.
This will increase circulation to the back muscles while opening up the hips.
Sitting Too Close
An individual should be able to comfortably reach the pedals and depress them through their full range with the entire foot.
A safety study found that drivers whose chests were closer to the wheel were significantly more likely to suffer head, neck, and chest injuries in front and rear-end collisions.
Proper Height
Ensure the seat raises the eye level a few inches above the steering wheel to allow sufficient clearance between the head and roof.
Seat Angle
The angle of the back of the seat should go a little beyond 90 degrees to 100-110 degrees places minimal pressure on the back.
Leaning too far back forces the individual to raise/push their head and neck forward, which can cause neck pain, shoulder pain, and tingling in the fingers.
Headrest Height
The top of the headrest should be between the top of the ears and the top of the head.
It should slightly touch the back of the head when sitting with a healthy driving posture.
This exercise activates the abdominal and external oblique muscles.
Press the lower back into the car seat.
Inhale and tilt the pelvis forward to create an arch in the lower back.
Hold for 3 seconds, then release.
Repeat ten times.
Posture is more than just how one carries themselves. The effects of unhealthy posture can carry over into an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional health. Whether it’s caused by injury, stress, work, or sports, a professional chiropractor will help you get back to optimal health.
Driving Position
References
Cvetkovic, Marko M et al. “Assessing Post-Driving Discomfort and Its Influence on Gait Patterns.” Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) vol. 21,24 8492. 20 Dec. 2021, doi:10.3390/s21248492
Pope, Malcolm H et al. “Spine ergonomics.” Annual review of biomedical engineering vol. 4 (2002): 49-68. doi:10.1146/annurev.bioeng.4.092101.122107
Tinitali, Sarah, et al. “Sitting Posture During Occupational Driving Causes Low Back Pain; Evidence-Based Position or Dogma? A Systematic Review.” Human factors vol. 63,1 (2021): 111-123. doi:10.1177/0018720819871730
van Veen, Sigrid, and Peter Vink. “Posture variation in a car within the restrictions of the driving task.” Work (Reading, Mass.) vol. 54,4 (2016): 887-94. doi:10.3233/WOR-162359
Internal injuries occur under the skin and muscle tissues. Internal organ damage occurs when an organ’s structure becomes altered or begins to malfunction and can be brought on by trauma or disease. Sympathetic nerves send and receive messages, including pain signals, from the brain through the spinal cord. Chiropractors understand the spine and internal organ connection. For example, the splanchnic nerves connect to the stomach, originating between thoracic vertebra six and ten.
Internal Organ Damage
Blunt Trauma
Blunt trauma/Non-penetrating trauma happens when a forceful impact strikes the body.
A car accident, hard fall, or getting hit by a dull object qualifies as blunt trauma.
Blunt trauma can rupture the blood vessels and organs.
Organs most likely to experience damage include the spleen and liver.
Penetrating Trauma
Penetrating trauma happens when an object enters the body.
The object can bruise, slice, and pierce organs.
Internal bleeding can occur if blood vessels are torn or cut.
Compartment syndrome occurs when swelling restricts blood circulation to and from the organ to the circulatory and nervous systems, causing pain and further damage to the organ tissues.
If circulation is not restored, the organs may fail.
Severe swelling of the organs can cause heart and lung problems, as the swollen organs leave no room for the lungs to expand or for the heart to pump blood.
Emergency Treatment and Rehabilitation
Blunt force injuries that produce significant organ impact, bleeding, and penetrating injuries may require surgery to repair or remove damaged organs. Doctors may keep the injured individual under observation for minor internal bleeding to see if surgery is needed. Minor internal bleeding often heals on its own without surgery. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer rehabilitation after surgery as a thorough way to expedite healing and recovery.
Chiropractic manages pain without medications that can interfere with the ability to perform simple tasks.
The body’s functions and biochemical responses from the trauma and surgery are addressed.
Inflammation and swelling are alleviated, and prevention is done through adjustments, massage, diet, and health coaching.
Severe Back Pain Chiropractic
References
Iheozor-Ejiofor, Zipporah, et al. “Negative pressure wound therapy for open traumatic wounds.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 7,7 CD012522. 3 Jul. 2018, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012522.pub2
McCausland C, Sajjad H. Anatomy, Back, Splanchnic Nerve. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549856/
Newman RK, Dayal N, Dominique E. Abdominal Compartment Syndrome. [Updated 2022 Apr 21]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430932/
Risselada, Marije. “Perforating Cervical, Thoracic, and Abdominal Wounds.” The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice vol. 47,6 (2017): 1135-1148. doi:10.1016/j.cvsm.2017.06.002
Shaheen, Aisha W et al. “Abdominal compartment syndrome in trauma patients: New insights for predicting outcomes.” Journal of emergencies, trauma, and shock vol. 9,2 (2016): 53-7. doi:10.4103/0974-2700.179452
Sikka, Rishi. “Unsuspected internal organ traumatic injuries.” Emergency medicine clinics of North America vol. 22,4 (2004): 1067-80. doi:10.1016/j.emc.2004.05.006
T-bone accidents/collisions, also known as side-impact or broadside collisions where the front end of one car slams into the side of another, can result in severe injuries and tend to have a more devastating effect on the body. Side impact collisions account for 24% of driver or passenger deaths; even at 30 mph, side-impacts regularly cause injuries to the occupants of the struck car. Modern vehicles have many safety features, including safety belt features, airbags, and collision avoidance systems that protect drivers and passengers from front and rear collisions; however, when it comes to side-impact, occupants tend to remain unprotected.
T-Bone Side Collision Causes
T-bone accidents usually happen at intersections. Usual Causes of T-bone accidents involve someone failing to yield the right of way. The most common causes include:
A driver makes a risky left turn at an intersection, believing the other car/s will stop.
A driver decides to run a red light crashing into a vehicle making a left turn.
A driver runs through a stop sign, slams into a vehicle, or gets slammed.
Back injuries can damage the spinal cord causing herniated discs, sciatica, and chronic pain that can radiate to the rest of the body.
Treatment and Recovery
Individuals have different recovery times and depend on the severity of the injury and on any pre-existing conditions. Brain injuries and spinal issues can take months to recover fully. Fractures placed in a hard or soft cast to heal for weeks or months can lead to muscle atrophy. Chiropractic therapeutic massage and decompression strengthens muscle weakness, resets and realigns the spinal column, improves range of motion/movement, strengthens grip, and relieves pain.
Neurosurgeon Explains DRX9000
References
Gierczycka, Donata, and Duane Cronin. “Importance of impact boundary conditions and pre-crash arm position for the prediction of thoracic response to pendulum, side sled, and near side vehicle impacts.” Computer methods in biomechanics and biomedical engineering vol. 24,14 (2021): 1531-1544. doi:10.1080/10255842.2021.1900132
Hu, JunMei, et al. “Chronic widespread pain after motor vehicle collision typically occurs through immediate development and nonrecovery: results of an emergency department-based cohort study.” Pain vol. 157,2 (2016): 438-444. doi:10.1097/j.pain.0000000000000388
Lidbe, Abhay, et al. “Do NHTSA vehicle safety ratings affect side impact crash outcomes?.” Journal of safety research vol. 73 (2020): 1-7. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2020.02.001
Mikhail, J N. “Side impact motor vehicular crashes: patterns of injury.” International journal of trauma nursing vol. 1,3 (1995): 64-9. doi:10.1016/s1075-4210(05)80041-0
Shaw, Greg et al. “Side impact PMHS thoracic response with a large-volume airbag.” Traffic injury prevention vol. 15,1 (2014): 40-7. doi:10.1080/15389588.2013.792109
Muscle tension happens when the muscles stay contracted after working, sports, exercise, and stress, presenting with stiffness and achiness that progresses to chronic myofascial pain. Myofascial is used to describe the connective tissues throughout the body. Myo refers to the muscles, and fascia refers to the body tissues. Myofascial pain syndrome describes muscle pain in various forms. Most individuals have experienced chronic muscle tension in muscle pain or tension headaches. Myofascial pain can vary, ranging from mild to severe. Chiropractic can provide treatment and post-prevention plans to eliminate the pain and strengthen the body.
Connective Tissue
Myofascial pain syndrome is a complex condition that could be repetitive stress injuries on the muscles or nervous system malfunction and is often characterized by symptoms like:
Each symptom is not a sign of the condition, but it could be myofascial pain syndrome when combined and does not resolve with some time. This chronic pain disorder is associated with referred pain that appears in one part of the body but the root cause in another region.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic medicine will get to the root of the problem with a thorough diagnosis. This will be done through physical examination, medical history, and symptom review. The chiropractor will perform a detailed exam of the affected muscles, including a range of motion test, strength test, and palpations of suspected trigger points to see how the muscles respond, twitch, and/or cause pain in a specific pattern or region. Sometimes blood tests are ordered to look for other causes, like vitamin D deficiency or hypothyroidism. Chiropractic can combine treatment therapies that include:
Massage therapy
Therapeutic massage will loosen the tight, knotted muscles and relieve cramping and/or spasms.
Physical Therapy
Includes stretching, postural, and strengthening exercises.
Pain medications are directly injected into the trigger points.
Chiropractic physicians work on the whole body and not just the hurting areas. Chiropractors are trained to incorporate treatment with primary care and specialists. Patients receive education in exercise programs, corrective exercises, nutritional recommendations, and health coaching.
Lavelle, Elizabeth Demers, et al. “Myofascial trigger points.” Anesthesiology clinics vol. 25,4 (2007): 841-51, vii-iii. doi:10.1016/j.anclin.2007.07.003
Stults-Kolehmainen, Matthew A et al. “Chronic psychological stress impairs recovery of muscular function and somatic sensations over a 96-hour period.” Journal of strength and conditioning research vol. 28,7 (2014): 2007-17. doi:10.1519/JSC.0000000000000335
Tantanatip A, Chang KV. Myofascial Pain Syndrome. [Updated 2021 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499882/
Vernon, Howard, and Michael Schneider. “Chiropractic management of myofascial trigger points and myofascial pain syndrome: a systematic review of the literature.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 32,1 (2009): 14-24. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2008.06.012
Everybody is always moving in their vehicles as they go from one place to another in less time. Sometimes accidents happen as vehicles collide with each other and cause excruciating pain to the body as it lunges forward, causing back and neck pain to the individual. These are physical effects on the body, but the emotional impact also takes a toll on the individual. It can cause a person to become miserable and affect their quality of life. Today’s article discusses the effects of an auto accident are cause the back and body, as well as how non-surgical decompression therapy can help alleviate the pain in the back from an auto accident. Patients are referred to qualified, skilled providers specializing in spinal decompression and non-surgical treatments. We go hand in hand with our patients by referring them to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is valuable for asking critical questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
Have you suffered from back pain after a vehicle collision? What about experiencing whiplash or neck pain? Or has your lower back been feeling stiff and aches more? Many of these symptoms are signs that the spine, back, and neck all have suffered from the effects of an auto accident. Research has shown that the impact of a person in an auto accident causes the body to rapidly lunge forward and back after a complete stop, causing damage to the body, especially on the spine. After the auto accident has occurred, many individuals don’t feel the effects of the injuries that are caused by auto accidents sometimes until the day after the accident. This is due to the adrenaline in the body, which is both a neurotransmitter and a hormone and is fully turned on to the max. Additional information has stated that many individuals suffer from low back pain after a motor vehicle collision. Even if the accident was non-lethal, the impact can cause strain on the lower back muscles and compress the spinal nerves, making them irritated.
How The Body Is Affected
Research studies have shown that the impact of an auto accident may cause the body to have non-fatal physical injuries but also cause psychological trauma that can affect a person’s psyche. Many people that have experienced an auto accident will have various emotions that leave them in shock. During that process, emotions like distress, helplessness, anger, shock, and frustration are presented as the individual who was in the accident experience these negative emotions. Additional research also found that many individuals can experience low back pain episodes reoccurring along with the emotional presence that they are feeling. Fortunately, there are ways to alleviate low back pain caused by auto accidents and can help restore the spine to its functionality.
Spinal Decompression Therapy Alleviates Auto Accident Injuries- Video
Have you experienced low back pain after a car accident? How about feeling the effects of muscle stiffness on the neck and low back the day after? Do emotions like stress, frustration, and shock affect your quality of life? These are signs and symptoms of what a person is going through after being involved in an auto accident and dealing with neck and back pain. There are ways to treat neck and back pain through decompression, and the video above explains the impressive effects of what decompression does to the individual. Decompression is a non-surgical treatment that allows gentle traction to alleviate the flattened spinal disc and take the pressure off the aggravated nerves surrounding the spine. The gentle traction also pumps the nutrients back to the dehydrated discs while increasing their heights. This link will explain what decompression offers and the impressive results for many individuals who suffer from back or neck pain due to an auto accident.
How Spinal Decompression Helps Relieve The Spine After Auto Accidents
After a person suffers from an auto accident, they experience pain in their spine and back the day before or after. Many individuals who suffer from low back pain, neck pain, and whiplash from auto accidents tend to find ways to alleviate the pain in their spine. One of these treatments is spinal decompression. Spinal decompression allows the individual to sit on a traction table in a supine position and be strapped in. Research studies have mentioned that spinal decompression is a non-surgical treatment for many individuals suffering from low back pain. In contrast, the traction machine slowly but gently pulls the spine to relieve the pain caused by a spinal injury due to an accident. This will provide effective recovery for many individuals suffering from low back pain. Additional information also mentioned that the effectiveness of decompression could reduce the inflammatory markers induced by the aggravated nerve roots through negative pressure, thus causing relief to the back.
Conclusion
Overall, suffering low back pain or neck pain after an auto accident is nerve-wracking for many individuals. The emotional and physical trauma caused by a motor vehicle collision can dampen a person’s mood, and the residual pain afterward can affect their quality of life. Utilizing decompression for non-surgical treatments can provide beneficial results in restoring functionality back in the spine and alleviating the pain the person is in. When people use decompression, they can get back to their activities and become pain-free from their lower back.
References
Daniel, Dwain M. “Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy: Does the Scientific Literature Support Efficacy Claims Made in the Advertising Media?” Chiropractic & Osteopathy, BioMed Central, 18 May 2007, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1887522/.
Kang, Jeong-Il, et al. “Effect of Spinal Decompression on the Lumbar Muscle Activity and Disk Height in Patients with Herniated Intervertebral Disk.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2016, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5140813/.
Nolet, Paul S, et al. “Exposure to a Motor Vehicle Collision and the Risk of Future Back Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Accident; Analysis and Prevention, U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 2020, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32438092/.
Nolet, Paul S, et al. “The Association between a Lifetime History of Low Back Injury in a Motor Vehicle Collision and Future Low Back Pain: A Population-Based Cohort Study.” European Spine Journal: Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Jan. 2018, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28391385/.
Salam, Mahmoud M. “Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Physical versus the Psychological Trauma.” Journal of Emergencies, Trauma, and Shock, Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd, 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5357873/.
Toney-Butler, Tammy J, and Matthew Varacallo. “Motor Vehicle Collisions – Statpearls – NCBI Bookshelf.” In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL), StatPearls Publishing, 5 Sept. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441955/.
The gut microbiome is “the second brain” in the body as it helps regulate homeostasis and metabolize the immune system for functionality and to keep the body in motion. The brain is part of the nervous system, providing neuron signals constantly traveling all over the body. The brain and the gut have a communication partnership where they send information back and forth for the body to function normally. When the body gets injured, either the brain, the gut, or both can be affected, causing dysfunction and unwanted symptoms that can cause other issues to affect the other systems in the body. One of these injuries can affect the brain in a traumatic way, which can disturb the signaling to the gut microbiota and affect an individual’s quality of life. Today’s article looks at a traumatic brain injury known as a concussion, its symptoms, and how it affects the gut-brain axis in the body. Refer patients to certified, skilled providers specializing in gut treatments for individuals that suffered from concussions. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is critical for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Alex Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
Have you been headaches that pop out of nowhere and affect you daily? Have you been experiencing leaky gut or other gut disorder issues causing problems? Do you have trouble concentrating on the simple tasks at hand? Many of these symptoms are signs that you might be suffering from a concussion. Research studies have defined a concussion as a transient disturbance that traumatically induces brain function in the body. Concussions can vary depending on the severity of the injury. When a person suffers from a concussion, the neurotransmitters get disrupted as the brain’s electrolytes go through neurological dysfunction, and blood glucose metabolism decreases cerebral blood flow. Other research studies have found that a concussion does an axial rotation to the brain, which results in the brain jiggling and causes whiplash to the neck. This disruption will cause a biochemical injury that either alters the blood glucose metabolism or can cause derangement of the adenine nucleotides of the nervous system.
Its Symptoms
Research studies have found that when a person suffers from a concussion, the symptoms in its acute phase can drastically change and evolve into a chronic situation over time. Concussions usually occur in individuals that play a contact sport, where they bump each other in the heads, auto accidents that causes severe injuries that affect the neck and brain, or even a simple blow to the head. Other research studies have stated that the symptoms of a concussion can include:
Blurry vision
Headaches
Dizzyness
Mood changes
Light sensitivity
Concentration and memory complications
Additional research studies have mentioned that neuronal dysfunction can occur when a person suffers from a concussion as there are ionic shifts, impaired connectivity to the brain, and changes in the neurotransmitters from completing their jobs to provide sensory-motor functions to the entire body. When this happens, not only does the nervous system gets affected, but the gut system gets affected as well.
An Overview Of Leaky Gut & Concussions-Video
Do gut disorder symptoms seem to be affecting your quality of life? Have you become sensitive to light? Have you felt muscle stiffness in your neck? Or have you been suffering from frequent headaches? If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it might be due to a concussion affecting your gut microbiota. The video above explains how a concussion and a leaky gut are linked. In an average functioning body, the gut and the brain have a bi-directional connection as they help send the neuron signals to each of the body systems and muscle tissues that make the body move. When traumatic forces like a concussion affect the brain, it can disrupt and change the neurotransmitters signals that can cause gut disorders in the microbiota. When gut disorders affect the gut microbiota, it can cascade a series of inflammatory effects that can affect the body’s homeostasis and immune function. Experiencing these symptoms in the body can drastically affect a person’s mood and quality of life if it is not taken care of immediately.
How The Gut-Brain Axis Is Affected By A Concussion?
Since the gut-brain axis has a communication partnership, this axis helps the body’s immunity, homeostasis, and metabolism function. When a concussion starts to affect the gut-brain axis, research studies have shown that the communication pathways are affected in the gut-brain axis as tit incorporates the afferent and efferent signals. The signals involved in the gut-brain axis include the hormones, neurons, and immune pathways that can result in chronic gastrointestinal dysfunction and disability to the body. Since the gut helps keep the body functional through homeostasis, the brain helps the neuron signals provide sensory functions. With a concussion, these signals are disrupted, affecting the body’s functionality and causing a change in a person’s mood.
Conclusion
Overall the gut-brain axis provides functionality to the body by maintaining the homeostasis and metabolism of the immune system. A person’s involvement in a traumatic accident can lead to brain injuries like a concussion that can impair the gut and brain relationship. A concussion can become severe when it is not treated right away and can affect a person’s quality of life in their health and wellness journey.
Giza, Christopher C., and David A. Hovda. “The Neurometabolic Cascade of Concussion.” Journal of Athletic Training, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, Inc., Sept. 2001, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC155411/.
Mann, Aneetinder, et al. “Concussion Diagnosis and Management: Knowledge and Attitudes of Family Medicine Residents.” Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien, College of Family Physicians of Canada, June 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5471087/.
Tator, Charles H. “Concussions and Their Consequences: Current Diagnosis, Management and Prevention.” CMAJ : Canadian Medical Association Journal = Journal De L’Association Medicale Canadienne, Canadian Medical Association, 6 Aug. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3735746/.
Zhu, Caroline S, et al. “A Review of Traumatic Brain Injury and the Gut Microbiome: Insights into Novel Mechanisms of Secondary Brain Injury and Promising Targets for Neuroprotection.” Brain Sciences, MDPI, 19 June 2018, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6025245/.
The body is a well-tuned machine that is on the move constantly. The different systems like the musculoskeletal system, the immune system, and the joint system, to name a few, can help the body’s motor function to get the body from point A to point B. When injuries or auto accidents affect the body, it can cause various issues to affect the body over time. Many people who suffer from an auto accident injury will experience pain in the cervical and lumbar portions of their spine. It can be nerve-wracking as they are trying to comprehend what is happening. Today’s article will focus on herniation due to auto accidents, how it affects the spine, and how decompression treatments can help many suffering individuals with auto accident herniation. Referring patients to qualified and skilled providers who specialize in spinal decompression therapy. We guide our patients by referring to our associated medical providers based on their examination when it’s appropriate. We find that education is essential for asking insightful questions to our providers. Dr. Jimenez DC provides this information as an educational service only. Disclaimer
Can my insurance cover it? Yes, it may. If you are uncertain, here is the link to all the insurance providers we cover. If you have any questions or concerns, please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900.
Have you experienced pain in your neck or low back? Did you experience whiplash in your neck? Has the pain progressively gotten worse after the accident? Many of the symptoms are primarily the after-effects of an auto accident involving a person. After a person has been involved in an auto accident, the injuries and symptoms usually occur within a few minutes until the next day. Research studies have shown that auto accident injury symptoms like herniation occur when the cervical and lumbar portions are injured, causing symptoms like soft tissue strain and disc derangement to be accompanied by radicular pain symptoms. Auto accident herniation also starts to compress the surrounding nerves around the spine. It induces inflammatory markers in the affected areas situated in the neck and lower back. Additional studies have found that auto accident herniation also affects the thoracic portion of the back. Many individuals that suffer from herniation will experience posterior shoulder pain and upper/lower back pain from being involved in an auto accident.
How Does It Affect The Spine?
When a person has suffered from an auto accident, the after-effects do take a toll not only on the body but the spine as well. The painful, inflammatory symptoms cause the soft muscle tissues to become tender to the touch. Research studies have mentioned that the spine will experience possible fractures along the lumbar section of the spine due to the force impact causing axial compression and overstretching of the muscles and soft tissues, causing sharp shooting pain. This makes the back and neck succumb to more despair after the auto accident occurs, thus hindering a person’s quality of life. More research studies have shown that many suffering individuals experience lumbosacral radicular pain on top of herniation. When a person has been suffering from disc degeneration and has been involved in an auto accident, the cascading effects cause the intervertebral disc’s outer layer to rupture and allow disc material displacement to cause herniation on the spine. When the ruptured disc becomes herniated, it will constantly press on the nerve roots, and any normal reactions like coughing or sneezing will worsen the pain. Thankfully, there are therapeutic methods that help alleviate herniation and help restore function to the spine.
Mechanical Traction For Herniation-Video
Feeling uncomfortable pain in your neck or back? Have everyday actions like coughing or sneezing hurt your back when not supposed to? Does the pain progressively get worst throughout the entire day? All these symptoms are due to disc herniation caused by auto accidents and can affect a person’s quality of life. The good news is that traction therapy may be the answer for relieving some of the symptoms like herniation on the spine. The video above shows how mechanical traction is used for many individuals suffering pain in the cervical area of the body. Traction therapy is a form of decompression treatment that is either non-surgical or surgical, depending on how severe the pain affects the body. Traction helps the spine through gentle pulling, causing the herniated discs to withdraw from the compressed nerves and establish healing properties to remoisturize in the affected discs while increasing the disc space between the spinal vertebrae. Decompression/traction therapy for either the lumbar or cervical regions of the spine has many beneficial factors in preventing disc herniation. This link will explainhow decompression or traction offers impressive relief for many people who suffer from neck and low back pain herniation caused by auto accident injuries.
How Decompression Treatments Help Auto Accident Herniation
After a person suffers from an auto accident injury, the body will sometimes experience the painful effects the next day since the body has an adrenaline rush that masks the pain. When this happens, therapeutic methods help alleviate the pain and try to repair the body to be functional again. Research studies have shown that decompression treatments have helped many individuals suffering from herniation due to auto accidents by using unloading force traction from the therapy to reduce herniation on the spine. This opposing force helps ease the painful symptoms caused by disc herniation while the compressed nerves are relieved. Other research studies have mentioned that traction therapy, when utilized for herniation, causes vertebral separation to increase the disc space and decrease the nerve root compression. This allows the spinal ligaments to tense up, which is beneficial for the herniated discs to return to the spine and cause relief to the suffering individuals.
Conclusion
Overall the after-effects of an auto accident injury that causes the spine to become herniated affect a person’s quality of life. The painful symptoms cause compression to the surrounding nerve roots, sending pain signals to disrupt the brain and overstretch the muscles when the spine is injured. After the auto accident has occurred, the residual pain will cause tenderness in the cervical and lumbar portions of the spine causing even more pain to the person. Treatments like traction therapy allow individuals to find the relief they desperately need as the herniated disc is relocated to its original position and laid off on the nerve roots. Traction therapy provided beneficial relief to the spine due to negative pressure and brought back the spine’s functionality to the body.
References
Cornips, Erwin M J. “Crippling Upper Back Pain after Whiplash and Other Motor Vehicle Collisions Caused by Thoracic Disc Herniations: Report of 10 Cases.” Spine, U.S. National Library of Medicine, 20 May 2014, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24718062/.
Hashish, Rami, and Hasan Badday. “Frequency of Acute Cervical and Lumbar Pathology in Common Types of Motor Vehicle Collisions: A Retrospective Record Review.” BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, BioMed Central, 9 Nov. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5680606/.
Kumari, Anita, et al. “Effects of One-Fifth, One-Third, and One-Half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.” BioMed Research International, Hindawi, 16 Sept. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8463178/.
Oakley, Paul A, and Deed E Harrison. “Lumbar Extension Traction Alleviates Symptoms and Facilitates Healing of Disc Herniation/Sequestration in 6-Weeks, Following Failed Treatment from Three Previous Chiropractors: A CBP® Case Report with an 8 Year Follow-Up.” Journal of Physical Therapy Science, The Society of Physical Therapy Science, Nov. 2017, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702845/.
Pachocki, L, et al. “Biomechanics of Lumbar Spine Injury in Road Barrier Collision-Finite Element Study.” Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Frontiers Media S.A., 1 Nov. 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8591065/.
Suri, Pradeep, et al. “Inciting Events Associated with Lumbar Disc Herniation.” The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2010, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2919742/.
Individuals drive to jobs, to school, run errands, take road trips, spending a lot of time on the road. Accidents and crashes happen more frequently with all kinds of injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Commission has found that 37% of car accidents and crashes involve leg injuries and damage. Chiropractic physical rehabilitation and functional medicine can help heal injuries getting the individual back to everyday life.
Bruising and cuts are typical from the impact and the body getting slammed around. Lacerations can be noticed right away, but bruising comes from blood pooling underneath the skin and can take time to present, possibly 24 to 48 hours. Most bruises and cuts heal independently from home first aid care. A standard recovery used to take care of bruising is R.I.C.E or rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This helps the healing process; however, if the injury/s are more severe, chiropractic can help with therapeutic massage to relieve pain and strengthen the injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
ACL Injuries
The femur or thigh bone has several bands of tissue connecting it to the patella or kneecap and tibia or shin bone. One of the bands is the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. Injuries to this band of tissue are common in sports. Car accidents and crashes are another common cause, specifically tearing the ligament. Individuals experiencing a tear may notice some or all of the following symptoms:
A cracking or popping sound when the accident or crash took place.
Swelling in and around the knee.
Severe pain in and around the knee.
Unstable and unsteady when walking or standing.
Reduced range of motion that makes walking or moving difficult.
A chiropractor can help treat the injury and help correct any muscular imbalances.
Meniscus Tears
Tears to the meniscus are also common in car accidents and crashes. The meniscusis a part of the knee. Two wedge-shaped pieces of cartilage provide a cushion where the femur and tibia meet to absorb shock. The wedges are called menisci.
When the meniscus tears, individuals might feel or hear a pop and could feel the leg suddenly give out.
Swelling in the knee.
Some pain but still be able to walk.
The knee will be stiff for the next few days.
More difficulty bearing weight or walking.
The RICE method is a recommended method of self-care. Many meniscus tears do not require surgery to improve knee function. Mild to moderate meniscus tears can be successfully treated with chiropractic techniques like soft tissue work, corrective stretches, and exercises. Surgery could eventually be necessary for severe cases to repair the meniscus to prevent long-term complications.
Chiropractic care can help the body heal and recover from a bone fracture. A patient’s bone density is evaluated and tested with an individualized treatment plan to help regain and maintain optimal bone strength. The treatments strengthen the muscles, reduce stiffness, improve nutrition, and relieve pain. Manipulation adjustments, rehabilitation, relaxation techniques, and dietary health coaching help individuals heal faster and strengthen their bones. The objective is to help regain increased mobility and range of motion.
Sciatica
Car accidents and crashes are one instance where the spine can be damaged enough to bring on sciatic pain where no back problems were present before. The impact from a car accident can cause the discs to be knocked out of place, damaged, and/or rupture around the surrounding tissue. Any of these results can pinch the sciatic nerve, leading to pain and other sciatica symptoms. Chiropractic can realign the spine and relieve pressure from the nerve/s.
DOC Spinal Decompression Table
References
Atkinson, T, and P Atkinson. “Knee injuries in motor vehicle collisions: a study of the National Accident Sampling System database for the years 1979-1995.” Accident; analysis and prevention vol. 32,6 (2000): 779-86. doi:10.1016/s0001-4575(99)00131-1
Foulk, David M, and Brian H Mullis. “Hip dislocation: evaluation and management.” The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons vol. 18,4 (2010): 199-209. doi:10.5435/00124635-201004000-00003
Wilson, L S Jr et al. “Foot and ankle injuries in motor vehicle accidents.” Foot & ankle international vol. 22,8 (2001): 649-52. doi:10.1177/107110070102200806
Any vehicle crash, collision, or accident can cause various injuries, with back pain issues as a primary injury or a side effect from other injuries. Usually, injury symptoms begin right after the collision, but in other cases, individuals may not start experiencing symptoms until hours, days, or even weeks later. This is from the adrenaline that rushes throughout the body during the collision/fight or flight response delaying the injury symptoms. There are reports of individuals who walk away from an accident unscathed but require urgent medical treatment a short while later. Chiropractic care can provide manual and spinal motorized decompression benefits.
Decompression Benefits
Head Injuries
Head injuries occur when drivers and/or passengers hit their heads on the steering wheel, windows, dashboard, metal frame, and sometimes each other.
A head injury is considered a severe condition that can cause concussions, skull fractures, comas, hearing loss, cognitive and memory issues, and vision problems.
A significant head injury can cause extensive and costly medical treatment with the possibility of long-term medical care.
Neck Injuries
Neck injuries are common in vehicle collisions.
The most common is whiplash, with the head and neck-snapping from indirect blunt force, like being rear-ended.
Whiplash can cause significant damage to the ligaments and muscles, like swelling and neck pain, and temporary paralysis of the vocal cords.
Injury patterns of whiplash can differ depending on the speed, force, and overall health of the individual involved.
Back Injuries
Back injuries can range in severity from sprains to significant damage involving the nerves and/or the spinal cord.
If the damage is severe, it can lead to loss of sensation in the body, loss of limb control, or permanent paralysis.
Disc herniation/s can lead to disability, muscle weakness, tingling and numbness in the limbs, and radiating body pain.
Chest and Torso Injuries
Vehicle collision forces can result in severe chest injuries that include broken ribs.
Broken ribs might not sound dangerous by themselves; they can puncture the lungs leading to other injuries and internal bleeding.
The legs, feet, arms, and hands are frequently injured, broken, and sometimes dislocated.
Motorcyclists are also at a higher risk for significant injury that includes:
Multiple fractures, internal injury, head injuries, and severe ligament damage.
Pedestrians struck by a vehicle have an increased risk for a combination of all injuries at once.
Non-Surgical Decompression Benefits
Chiropractors are trained to identify and treat injuries from vehicle collisions.
Non-surgical spinal decompression gently stretches the spine using a motorized traction device to help reposition the spine and remove the pressure.
As the pressure is taken off, the spinal discs regain their natural height, relieving the pressure on the nerves and other spinal structures.
Optimal healing is promoted by an improved circulation of nutrients, water, and oxygen to the injury site.
Decompression helps to strengthen the muscles in the affected area.
It provides positive spinal structural changes.
Improves nervous system function.
Non-surgical decompression is a tool for correcting injuries and relieving pain, allowing optimal health for the individual.
DOC Decompression Table
References
Apfel, Christian C et al. “Restoration of disk height through non-surgical spinal decompression is associated with decreased discogenic low back pain: a retrospective cohort study.” BMC musculoskeletal disorders vol. 11 155. 8 Jul. 2010, doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-155
Koçak, Fatmanur Aybala et al. “Comparison of the short-term effects of the conventional motorized traction with non-surgical spinal decompression performed with a DRX9000 device on pain, functionality, depression, and quality of life in patients with low back pain associated with lumbar disc herniation: A single-blind randomized controlled trial.” Turkish Journal of physical medicine and rehabilitation vol. 64,1 17-27. 16 Feb. 2017, doi:10.5606/tftrd.2017.154
Macario, Alex, and Joseph V Pergolizzi. “Systematic literature review of spinal decompression via motorized traction for chronic discogenic low back pain.” Pain practice: the Official Journal of World Institute of Pain vol. 6,3 (2006): 171-8. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2006.00082.x
Restaurant work takes a toll on the body with the repetitive moving, bending, twisting, reaching, prepping, cutting, serving, and washing. This is especially true of the shoulders, arms, and hands. When individuals avoid treating their aches and pains, this can lead to chronic pain conditions that can cause severe and permanent damage to the musculoskeletal system. Chiropractic can alleviate the tingling and pain by removing the compression, re-stretching/lengthening, and strengthening the muscles and nerves to perform at optimal levels.
Restaurant Work
The arms and hands are designed to accomplish various tasks. When functioning normally, tasks can be performed flawlessly. Repetitive/Overuse or trauma can cause nerve compression, stiffness, and pain, decreasing function and affecting daily routines.
Carpal Tunnel
Carpal tunnel syndrome is one of the most common disorders that affect the arm and hands.
The carpal tunnel is a space where a nerve and several tendons pass. If the nerve becomes compressed, it can cause numbness, tingling in the fingers, pain, and muscle weakness, making it difficult to grip objects.
Discomfort and pain start gradually in one or both hands.
It can cause tightness and pain in the shoulder, forearm, wrist, and hand.
It can also cause numbness in the palm and fingers.
Avoid scheduling multiple consecutive long shifts for jobs that require repetitive hand motions.
Body Composition
Sticking To A Meal Plan
Identify personal motivation to stick to a meal plan other than improving body composition. To keep motivation high, individuals need to identify other reasons behind goals. This could be:
Saving money from the food budget.
Spending time with loved ones preparing a healthy recipe.
Setting an example to family and friends.
It can be whatever motivates you.
Reassess and tweak the meal plan as needed.
Nutritional needs or dietary preferences change.
Meal planning should be a dynamic process.
Don’t get disappointed if not going as planned.
Refocus by making changes as needed.
References
Gentzler, Marc D, and Janan A Smither. “Using practical ergonomic evaluations in the restaurant industry to enhance safety and comfort: a case study.” Work (Reading, Mass.) vol. 41 Suppl 1 (2012): 5529-31. doi:10.3233/WOR-2012-0872-5529
Laperrière, Ève et al. “Work activity in foodservice: The significance of customer relations, tipping practices and gender for preventing musculoskeletal disorders.” Applied ergonomics vol. 58 (2017): 89-101. doi:10.1016/j.apergo.2016.05.013
Masear, V R et al. “An industrial cause of carpal tunnel syndrome.” The Journal of hand surgery vol. 11,2 (1986): 222-7. doi:10.1016/s0363-5023(86)80055-7
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