Back Clinic Treatments. There are various treatments for all types of injuries and conditions here at Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic. The main goal is to correct any misalignments in the spine through manual manipulation and placing misaligned vertebrae back in their proper place. Patients will be given a series of treatments, which are based on the diagnosis. This can include spinal manipulation, as well as other supportive treatments. And as chiropractic treatment has developed, so have its methods and techniques.
Why do chiropractors use one method/technique over another?
A common method of spinal adjustment is the toggle drop method. With this method, a chiropractor crosses their hands and pressed down firmly on an area of the spine. They will then adjust the area with a quick and precise thrust. This method has been used for years and is often used to help increase a patient’s mobility.
Another popular method takes place on a special drop table. The table has different sections, which can be moved up or down based on the body’s position. Patients lie face down on their back or side while the chiropractor applies quick thrusts throughout the spinal area as the table section drops. Many prefer this table adjustment, as this method is lighter and does not include twisting motions used in other methods.
Chiropractors also use specialized tools to assist in their adjustments, i.e., the activator. A chiropractor uses this spring-loaded tool to perform the adjustment/s instead of their hands. Many consider the activator method to be the most gentle of all.
Whichever adjustment method a chiropractor uses, they all offer great benefits to the spine and overall health and wellness. If there is a certain method that is preferred, talk to a chiropractor about it. If they do not perform a certain technique, they may recommend a colleague that does.
What is a Herniated Disc?
Herniation of the nucleus pulposus (HNP) occurs when the nucleus pulposus (gel-like substance) breaks through the anulus fibrosus (tire-like structure) of an intervertebral disc (spinal shock absorber).
A herniated disc occurs most often in the lumbar region of the spine especially at the L4-L5 and L5-S1 levels (L = Lumbar, S = Sacral). This is because the lumbar spine carries most of the body’s weight. People between the ages of 30 and 50 appear to be vulnerable because the elasticity and water content of the nucleus decreases with age.
The progression to an actual HNP varies from slow to sudden onset of symptoms. There are four stages: (1) disc protrusion (2) prolapsed disc (3) disc extrusion (4) sequestered disc. Stages 1 and 2 are referred to as incomplete, where 3 and 4 are complete herniations. Pain resulting from herniation may be combined with a radiculopathy, which means neurological deficit. The deficit may include sensory changes (i.e. tingling, numbness) and/or motor changes (i.e. weakness, reflex loss). These changes are caused by nerve compression created by pressure from interior disc material.
Progression of Herniated Disc
The extremities affected are dependent upon the vertebral level at which the HNP occurred. Consider the following examples:
Cervical – Pain in the neck, shoulders, and arms Thoracic – Pain radiates into the chest Lumbar – Pain extends into the buttocks, thighs, legs
Cauda Equina Syndrome occurs from a central disc herniation and is serious requiring immediate surgical intervention. The symptoms include bilateral leg pain, loss of perianal sensation (anus), paralysis of the bladder, and weakness of the anal sphincter.
Diagnosis of a Herniated Disc
The spine is examined with the patient laying down and standing. Due to muscle spasm, a loss of normal spinal curvature may be noted. Radicular pain (inflammation of a spinal nerve) may increase when pressure is applied to the affected spinal level.
A Lasegue test, also known as Straight-leg Raising Test, is performed. The patient lies down, the knee is extended, and the hip is flexed. If pain is aggravated or produced, it is an indication the lower lumbosacral nerve roots are inflamed.
Other neurological tests are performed to determine loss of sensation and/or motor function. Abnormal reflexes are noted as these changes may indicate the location of the herniation.
Radiographs are helpful, but Computed Axial Tomography (CAT) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides more detail. The MRI is the best method enabling the physician to see the soft spinal tissues unseen in a conventional x-ray.
Radiographic Evidence of HNP
The findings from the examination and tests are compared to make a proper diagnosis. This includes determining the location of the herniation so treatment options can be reviewed with the patient.
Whether your doctor recommends surgery for a ruptured Achilles tendon may depend partly on your age and activity level, foot experts say.
The Achilles tendon is a band of tissue that runs down the back of the lower leg and connects the calf muscle to the heel bone. A rupture is a complete or partial tear of the tendon that leaves the heel bone separated or partially separated from the knee.
Length of recovery from this type of injury varies depending on whether a patient undergoes surgical or nonsurgical treatment.
“Treatment processes are dependent upon a patient’s overall health, activity level and ability to follow a functional rehabilitation protocol,” said Dr. Jeffrey McAlister, a foot and ankle surgeon in Sun City West, Ariz. Advances in treating Achilles tendon rupture were discussed by McAlister and other specialists at a recent meeting of the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons, in Las Vegas.
Typically, less active and unhealthy patients receive nonsurgical treatment, since they are not trying to return to active sports, McAlister said in a college news release. But this approach usually involves a long rehabilitation/recovery period (9-12 months). Also, these patients may be at increased risk of potentially dangerous blood clots due to inactivity during this period.
“For more athletic and younger patients, the surgical option may be best,” said Dr. Michael VanPelt, a Dallas foot and ankle surgeon. “We anticipate these patients have shorter healing times.”
But because there is low blood flow to the Achilles tendon, healing after surgery can be tricky.
“Advances in surgical techniques to repair Achilles tendon ruptures include limited incision, or smaller incision, surgical approaches to help patients have smaller scars, and less of a chance of wound complications,” said Dr. Jason Kayce, a Phoenix foot and ankle surgeon.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Preventing Sports Injuries
Many athletes largely depend on chiropractic care to enhance their physical performance. New research studies have determined that aside from maintaining overall health and wellness, chiropractic can also help prevent sports injuries. Chiropractic is an alternative treatment option utilized by athletes to improve their strength, mobility and flexibility. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations performed by a chiropractor can also help correct spinal issues, speeding up an athlete’s recovery process to help them return-to-play as soon as possible.
One of the main symptoms of fibromyalgia is extreme sensitivity to touch, so it�s understandable that some people with fibromyalgia avoid getting massages. However, they are missing out on something great.
Massage treatment might seem like the very opposite approach to take for fibromyalgia pain, but the right amount of pressure and manipulation can actually do a lot for your congested muscles and tissues. In reality, massage is a perfect natural remedy for fibromyalgia. Therapeutic kneading will stimulate blood flow, eliminate metabolic waste, and lengthen muscle fibers. The right fibromyalgia massage treatment will work within the limits of your condition to release pockets of tension, and improve your physical wellbeing and quality of life.
Recommended Fibromyalgia Massage Treatment
There are many types of therapeutic massage treatments, and the right style for your fibromyalgia pain will respect your muscle sensitivity and particular pain issues. Stick with these massage techniques for the most healing benefits:
Swedish massage techniques. This classic relaxation technique ��using the hands, arms or mechanical means ��will gently manipulate tense muscles to relieve long-standing tension.
Myofascial release. Focusing on the connective tissue called fascia, this technique aims to release pressure where the tissues connect to the bones. Muscles will relax and lengthen, leaving more space for the organs to expand.
Reflexology. A safe and gentle approach that stimulates points on the hands and feet that are believed to be connected to various organs and tissues. This may help to relax certain areas that would be difficult to stimulate directly.
Cranial-sacral therapy (CST). Using very mild pressure on strategic points at the base of the skull and along the length of the spine, the CST therapist can detect interruptions in the flow of spinal fluid, and improve the balance and function of every muscle area.
Massages to Avoid
The types of massage that are out of the question if you don�t like touch because of sensitivity include:
Thai massage treatment. It puts you through different poses for an entire hour.
Reflexology foot massage treatment. Presses on reflexology points that often hurt.
Barefoot massage treatment. The massage therapist walks on your back while holding onto a supportive rack suspended from the ceiling.
Rolfing/structural integration. You�ll feel beat up with this one.
Before proceeding with any fibromyalgia massage, be sure to consult a healthcare professional who has properly diagnosed your condition and who has recommended you to follow up with any of the above mentioned therapies. Preventing further aggravation of any type of symptoms is best to promote a healthier lifestyle and improve overall symptoms.
While fibromyalgia has been known to cause symptoms of chronic pain, many individuals with the condition avoid massage or other forms of similar treatment to avoid aggravating their symptoms. However, massage therapy performed by a qualified healthcare professional can not only be beneficial, it can help reduce and manage the pain caused by fibromyalgia.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Athletes are at higher risk of experiencing injuries or aggravating a previously existing condition due to the constant exposure to rigorous training and competitions. Although the lower extremities most frequently result in damage or injury, lower back complications have only been increasingly reported among the wide majority of athletes alike.
Among the young college athletes and professional athletes alike, low back pain is considered to be one of the most common complaints, estimated to affect more than 30 percent of athletes at least once in their career. A wide number of back injuries can affect the athlete, including muscle spasms and stress fractures, spondylosis, spondylolisthesis, disc degeneration, facet joint arthropathy and disc issues, such as lumbar disc herniation.
Lumbar disc herniation is a well-known type of injury which often causes impairing low back pain, however, it can also compress the nerve roots in the area and generate radicular pain and other symptoms along the lower extremities, such as altered sensations and muscle weakness. Furthermore, this type of injury will not only affect the athlete�s ability to perform during their specific sport or physical activity, it may also become chronic and affect the athlete in the future.
Conservative treatments are frequently utilized when managing lumbar disc herniation in athletes, although surgical options may be considered if the injury is too severe. Many elite athletes often request faster recovery methods for their type of injuries and symptoms in order to minimize their time spent away from training and competition. As a result, a wide number of athletes will seek surgical alternatives earlier than recommended, provided they meet the criteria for lumbar spine surgery. The most popular surgical procedure for athletes with a low back disc herniation is the lumbar disc microdiscectomy.
Anatomy & Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine
The intervertebral discs of the lumbar spine perform an essential biomechanical role within the spine. These function to provide mobility between the segments of the spine while distributing compressive, shear and torsional forces. These discs are made up of a thick, outer ring of fibrous cartilage, known as the annulus fibrosis, which surround the gelatinous core of the disc, known as the nucleus pulposus, which is contained within the cartilage end plates.
Each intervertebral disc consists of cells and substances, such as collagen, proteoglycans and scattered fibrochondrocytic cells, which function to absorb and conduct increased forces from body weight and muscle activity. In order to effectively perform its function, the disc depends immensely on the structural condition of the annulus fibrosis, nucleus pulposus and the vertebral end plate. If the disc is healthy, it will evenly spread the forces being applied against the spine. However, disc degeneration caused by cell degradation, loss of hydration or disc collapse, can decrease the disc�s ability to withstand external forces and these will no longer be absorbed and conducted evenly across the spinal structures.
Tears in the annulus fibrosis of the disc along with extrinsic loads may ultimately cause the disc to herniate. Alternatively, applying a large, biomechanical force against a normal disc, such as a heavy compression on the spine due to a fall on the tailbone or strong muscle contraction from heavy weight lifting, can also damage the healthy structures of the disc and cause a rupture.
Disc herniation is characterized when the nucleus pulposus, the soft, jelly-like material in the center of a disc, pushes through a tear in the annulus fibrosis, the fibrous exterior of the disc. If the protrusion does not compress the nerve roots that travel along the spine, the individual may only experience back pain. But, if the herniated disc pushes against the lumbar nerve roots or other structures within the lower back, the individual may experience radicular pain along with neurological symptoms, such as numbness and paresthesia.
The pain and other symptoms associated with lumbar radiculopathy occurs due to a combination of nerve root ischemia from compression and due to inflammation caused by the chemicals released from a ruptured disc. During a herniation, the nucleus pulposus places unnecessary pressure against the weakened areas of the annulus, protruding through these weakened sites in the outer structure of the disc, ultimately forming a herniation. It�s important to note that when a lumbar disc herniation occurs, in a majority of cases, some form of disc degeneration may have existed before.
The Process of Lumbar Disc Herniation
Unlike other musculoskeletal tissues of the body, intervertebral discs generally degenerate sooner than other structures. Some studies have shown adolescents between the ages of 11 to 16 with signs of degeneration. As people age, the discs will naturally degenerate further. In a research study conducted using normal, healthy subjects between the ages of 21 to 30, more than one third of the individuals presented degenerated discs.
While the spinal discs may be at risk of injury in practically all fundamental planes of motion, these are often more susceptible to damage or injury during constant and repetitive flexion or hyperflexion along with lateral bending or rotation. Trauma from an injury caused by an excessive axial compression can also harm the internal structure of the discs. This can commonly result after the individual has suffered a fall or due to strong muscular forces being placed against the spine during specific activities, such as heavy weight lifting.
When it comes to athletes, they are frequently exposed to conditions of higher loading. A herniated disc can be categorized according to its location: central, posterolateral, foraminal or far lateral. Herniation varieties can also be classified as: protrusion, extrusion or sequestered fragment. Finally, disc herniation may be identified according to the level where they occurred on the spine. Most develop along the lumbar spine, often affecting the lumbar nerve roots which may lead to symptoms of sciatica. Upper lever herniated discs are rare, but when they do occur along with radiculopathy, they generally affect the femoral nerve.
Disc Herniation in Athletes
Athletes who participate in sports or physical activities which utilized combined trunk flexion and rotation have an increased chance of experiencing herniated discs. Individuals between 20 to 35 years of age are the most common group to herniate a disc, most likely as a result of the nature of the nucleus pulposis and due to behavior. This age group is most likely to be involved in sports which require higher loads of flexion and rotation or they may practice improper postures and positions when carrying weight.
The sports most at risk of disc herniation include: hockey, wrestling, football, swimming, basketball, golf, tennis, weight lifting, rowing and throwing activities, because these sports involve either high loads or high exposure to combined flexion and rotation mechanisms. Additionally, athletes who engage in more intense, continuous training routines appear to be at an increased risk of developing spinal injuries or conditions, similar to those involved in impact sports.
Signs and Symptoms Indicating Discectomy
An athlete is generally driven by motivation and goals when they choose to undergo surgery to treat a lumbar disc herniation. Rather than waiting for the symptoms to decrease over a period of rehabilitation, athletes prefer a relatively simple microdiscectomy.
A conservative period of management for symptoms of a lumbar herniated disc may involve: medication therapy, epidural injections, relative rest and trunk muscle rehabilitation, acupuncture and chiropractic care with massage. However, athletes who experience low back pain with pain radiating down one or both legs, neurological signs and symptoms, mild weakness of distal muscles, such as extensor hallucis longus, peroneals, tibialis anterior and soleus and those who demonstrated positive on the straight leg raise test, may meet the criteria to follow through with a surgical intervention for their lumbar herniated disc.
Generally, elite athletes have a shorter time span in which to allow conservative rehabilitation to be effective. For a majority of the population, medical practitioners often prescribe a minimum 6-week conservative period of treatment with a review at 6 weeks to decide whether they should extend the rehabilitation or to seek treatment from a specialist. This particular healthcare professional may then offer other alternative interventions to treat the issue.
For athletes, however, these time frames are compressed. Epidural injections are often offered to athletes to assess the issue quicker, and if there are no results within a determined period, an immediate lumbar spine microdiscectomy may follow.
Imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, are considered to be the preferred method for identifying lumbar disc herniation, as these are also very sensitive when detecting nerve root impingements. Because abnormal MRI scans can occur in otherwise asymptomatic individuals, it�s essential to establish a clinical correlation of symptoms before any surgical considerations. Additionally, individuals may present clinical signs and symptoms suggesting the presence of a lumbar herniated disc but they may lack sufficient evidence on MRI to meet the criteria to follow through with surgical interventions. Accordingly, it�s been proposed that a volumetric analysis of a lumbar herniated disc on MRI may be potentially valuable for assessing an individual�s and athlete�s suitability to receive surgery.
MRI Lumbar Spine Disc Herniation
Chiropractic and Massage
Fortunately, before considering surgical intervention, although more time and patience may be required, there are several effective, alternative treatment options that can help reduce and eliminate the symptoms associated with a lumbar herniated disc. Chiropractic is a healthcare profession that focuses on injuries and conditions of the musculoskeletal system and the nervous system as well as the effects of these on general health. Chiropractic care emphasizes the treatment of the body as a whole rather than focusing on a single injury or condition. Through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, two of the most common techniques used in chiropractic, a chiropractor can carefully re-align the spine, helping to restore and reduce the pain and swelling caused by a lumbar herniated disc.
Along with a combination of massage, chiropractic care can ultimately help rehabilitate an injured athlete or individual. A massage, best referred to as myofascial release, is a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle, sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions, to eliminate pain and restore function. Massage can increase blood flow, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients to the muscles surrounding the affected region of the spine. The increased blood flow may also help carry away unnecessary substances which may have accumulated through time. Chiropractic care and massage are safe and effective treatments that can help rehabilitate athletes with lumbar disc herniation without side effects.
Sports injuries can become a difficult situation for any athlete, especially if the symptoms become more severe, leading to further complications. When recovering from an injury, an athlete’s main concern involves them returning to play as soon as possible. Chiropractic care and the use of physical therapy as well as other types of treatment methods and massage can help individuals effectively recover from their injuries.
For more information, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .�
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Low Back Pain After Auto Injury
After being involved in an automobile accident, the sheer force of the impact can cause damage or injury to the body, primarily to the structures surrounding the spine. An auto collision can ultimately affect the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other tissues surrounding the spine, commonly the lumbar region of the spine, causing symptoms such as low back pain. Sciatica is a common set of symptoms after an automobile accident, which may require immediate medical attention to determine its source and follow through with treatment.
Automobile accidents are the most common cause of whiplash. Any type of accelerated motion that thrusts the head forward and then backwards with extreme force can lead to whiplash. Sports accidents can also cause whiplash-associated injuries. An unpredicted head jolt can damage the complex structures of the cervical spine, leaving tendons and ligaments intensely irritated and inflamed. The tendons and ligaments as well as other tissues of the neck may become overly stretched and torn.
A whiplash type injury may be suspected if the individual involved in an�automobile accident experiences�the following symptoms: neck pain and stiffness; worsening pain with movement; loss of range of motion in the neck; headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull; tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms; tingling or numbness in the arms, fatigue and dizziness. Other individual�s may experience: blurred vision; ringing in the ears; sleep disturbances; irritability; difficulty concentrating; memory problems; and even depression. While these are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash, they may also suggest the presence of another type of injury or condition resulting from the automobile accident.
Thus, it�s essential to visit a qualified healthcare professional who can properly identify a whiplash injury and offer the required treatment to eliminate the resulting pain and symptoms.
Apart from assessing the doctor�s experience and qualifications, the victim of an automobile accident must primarily consider their geographical location and the type of insurance they are covered by when deciding on the type of doctor to visit following a whiplash type injury. Other factors that should influence the affected individual�s decision include whether they are represented by an attorney and whether they are living in a state where PIP, or personal injury protection, is mandatory.
Whiplash Injury Practitioners
People who�ve sustained injuries from auto accidents fail to receive the kind of medical care they require. It has been previously determined that the outcome of the patient�s rehabilitation depends on the type of doctor they receive care from.
Many individuals who�ve been involved in an automobile accident, regardless of the severity of the collision, will generally visit the emergency room, or ER, to have their injuries evaluated. The majority of ERs are designed to take patients out of life threatening situations. First, they immediately assess any visible injuries, such as open wounds and broken bones, treating them effectively on the spot. They may even prescribe medications to temporarily relieve the painful symptoms following a�traffic collision. However, many victims are not treated for their whiplash injuries. The trained specialists from the ER, provide first-aid, X-rays and medications to remove individuals from life-threatening situations but they don�t readily treat soft-tissue injuries like whiplash. From there, patients are sent to see their primary care physician, or PCP, to assess the rest of their injuries, yet, they may still face hardships to finally receive the proper care they deserve for their injuries.
Primary Care Injury Specialists and Whiplash
Many primary care physicians do not have the full qualifications in treating automobile accident injuries. Many of these doctors may even deny patients treatment. Whiplash associated disorders have been misunderstood in the medical field and many doctors believe whiplash is not a legitimate injury. However, those whom are suffering from whiplash can account for how painful it really is.
Other doctors refuse treatment to whiplash patients because they may not accept any kind of 3rd�party billing, a paying method where the doctor seeing the car accident victim has to bill the party at fault�s insurance company or utilize PIP or med pay to receive compensation.�This is a commonly well-known reason for denial of treatment as a large number of primary care physicians, or PCPs, still don�t have the required authorizations to accept 3rd�party billing.
Besides primary care physicians, medical doctors, orthopedics, chiropractors and physical therapists are several types of qualified healthcare professionals that specialize on treating automobile accident injuries such as whiplash. Among these, chiropractic treatment is the most popular, alternative treatment option for treating various soft tissue injuries or conditions.
Chiropractic Treatment for Car Wrecks
Many people from the legal and medical industry dismiss seeking a chiropractor for auto accident injury treatment. However, the fact is that a chiropractors are some of the only doctors who offer therapeutic treatments to accident victims. Treatment offered by medical doctors might include the use of drugs, although in many cases, they may also recommend physical therapy. This automatically highlights the importance of chiropractic care for whiplash victims because chiropractic care and physical therapy are very similar forms of treatment.
Whenever an individual who�s been involved in an automobile accident visits a chiropractor and complains of pain in the neck, the medical specialist will carry out a series of tests to determine whether the patient has suffered whiplash. Instead of focusing solely on the specific injury, chiropractors are trained to inspect the affected individual�s entire spine. Aside from soft tissue injuries like whiplash, chiropractic doctors may also check for: disc trauma or injury, tightness or tenderness, restricted mobility, muscle spasms, joint injuries, ligament injuries, posture and spinal alignment. They may also analyze the patient�s gait.
Besides checking for the above, chiropractors might also request X-rays and MRI of the patient�s spine in order to find out whether the spine features any degenerative changes which might have developed before the accident. To offer the best possible treatment, it is extremely important to determine which problems existed prior to the accident and which ones resulted from the accident. In most cases, insurance companies may argue that every single injury in the victim�s body is preexisting. This makes the role of the chiropractor considerably important as they will make sure to document all the previous and new injuries separately to ensure the insurance company pays for the patient�s treatment. In addition, the evaluation performed by the chiropractor also allows them to create the most effective treatment plan for each individual whiplash victim.
Main Stages of Care
The leading concern for chiropractors who treat whiplash-associated disorders involve alleviating inflammation in the neck. Chiropractors often recommend ice therapy, or the application of ice pack against the affected area, multiple times a day. This remedy is capable of reducing both pain and inflammation. Once the inflammation subsides, they often carry out a variety of manual therapeutic techniques to restore and increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
The kind of chiropractic treatment the individual will require depends largely on the severity of the whiplash encountered. However, it has been previously determined that the majority of individual�s with whiplash find spinal manipulations useful. The most common chiropractic treatment techniques involve, spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, to carefully re-align the structures of the spine and help reduce symptoms. The following spinal techniques are also used to treat whiplash injuries: Instrument-assisted treatment, which involves the use of handheld instruments to provide a gentle massage by applying force onto the spine without utilizing any kind of thrust.
Instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy is used mostly to treat older patients with degenerative joints; flexion-distraction, this technique involves the use of a non-thrusting motions, best described as a slow pumping action; specific spinal manipulation, this therapy involves the use of a mild thrusting technique and is mostly used for restoring motion to the affected joints. Specific spinal manipulation helps stretch the soft tissues, which makes the job of restoring motion to the affected areas of the spine easier; instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy, also known as the Graston Technique, is used during this form of chiropractic therapy to perform repetitive strokes on the injured body part; therapeutic massage, performed to ease muscle tension and stress in the injured region; interferential electrical stimulation, where a patient undergoing this type of therapy will see the chiropractor passing electrical current at a very low frequency through their body. This low frequency current helps stimulate the muscles and reduces inflammation; trigger point therapies, as the name suggests, involves the application of direct pressure onto specific points to alleviating muscle tension; and finally ultrasound therapy, capable of decreasing stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms in the affected areas. When ultrasound is passed through the patient�s muscle tissues, it warms up the treated region and increases blood circulation.
Neck Trauma and Auto Injury
Chiropractic Treatments
Ultimately, chiropractors can help victims of whiplash in many ways. These health care providers can ensure that an individual� whiplash and its associated symptoms may subside completely. They always make sure to create a patient-specific treatment plan to make the process of recovery simpler for every individual.
Other than recommending immediate treatment for reducing the acute pain and inflammation, the chiropractor might additionally recommend a series of stretches and exercises, to help speed up the rehabilitation process as well as help increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
Whiplash injuries, when left untreated, can cause severe complications. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident, visit a chiropractor immediately. By being prompt, you can even reduce your recovery time significantly. That�s not all; the chiropractor will also provide the required assistance to your lawyer, proving that the injury resulting from the accident wasn�t a preexisting injury or condition.
When you are injured in a car accident, you must get acquainted with your rights as soon as possible to receive the proper compensation and treatment for your specific situation. There is no such thing as a simple car crash.
Certain injuries or conditions which may have developed following an automobile accident may become chronic or permanent if left untreated. If an individual is experiencing neck stiffness or headaches after a traffic collision, it�s absolutely wrong to assume that this will subside in a few days. A minor discomfort could turn out to be a more serious complication.
Often, people injured in auto accidents develop scar tissue that remains with them throughout the rest of their lives and without the necessary treatments or exercises, these can become stiff and greatly limit an individual�s ability to move properly. The above issues generating from a car accident show how important it is for people to seek immediate legal and medical help. Chiropractors are known for their expertise in managing soft tissue injuries and the resulting chronic and traumatic pain; as a result, they are often considered to be the best healthcare professionals to consult�after a car accident.
Auto accidents can create enormous confusion and frustration. Most injuries associated with car accidents include trauma to the cervical spine. Dr. Jimenez discusses treatment options and procedures used in assisting patients reach optimal recovery. Choosing the right clinical team is always important. Many legal experts agree that a specialist focusing on soft tissue injuries is a search requiring great insight and assistance. Doctors of chiropractic and physical therapy along with surgical experts are best suited in assisting patients find the correct treatment options. If you have more questions please feel free to call 915-850-0900 in order to speak to Dr. Alex Jimenez.
The goals of the chiropractic treatment of a thoracic disc herniation are to reduce pain and dysfunction while the body heals itself.
Since most disc extrusions naturally regress in a few months, chiropractors will attempt to reduce the pain and pressure caused by the disc herniation. Chiropractic treatment of a thoracic disc herniation may include one or a combination of the following:
Some chiropractors will recommend nutritional support, such as proteolytic enzymes, to reduce the pain and swelling associated with a disc herniation.
More Chiropractic Treatments for Upper Back Problems
In addition to joint dysfunction, myofascial pain syndrome, and thoracic herniated disc, which have already been reviewed in this article, chiropractic care may be a treatment option for additional upper back problems, such as thoracic joint dysfunction, thoracic outlet syndrome, and shoulder dysfunction related to the upper spine.
Will your back pain become chronic?
Joint dysfunction
The thoracic spine is a marvel of joint interaction and complex motion patterns. Composed of a total of 220 separate joints,1 it makes up the lion�s share of the 313 total joints in the entire spine. With this many interactive articulations it is easy to see that maintaining normal joint function, motion, and position is important. Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments.
There are a variety of chiropractic-adjustment techniques that can be used to adjust a dysfunctional joint:
Most chiropractors employ manual adjusting techniques that utilize precise thrusting adjustments to help normalize joint function.
Chiropractors can also use softer directional adjusting techniques or adjusting instruments to accommodate the needs of the patient.
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a disorder in which the nerves of the brachial plexus and blood vessels are compressed. This compression can cause great pain and altered sensations such as a �pins and needles� sensation in the hands.
Treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome can include stretching, manual trigger-point therapy, and myofascial anchor-and-stretch release techniques to the affected muscles. Chiropractors may also include adjustments and postural instruction.
Thoracic/shoulder dysfunction
The function of the shoulder and the upper back are interrelated. Studies have shown that thrusting manipulations applied to the thoracic spine and ribs have reduced shoulder pain and dysfunction. Chiropractic adjustments to the thoracic region can be beneficial to certain types of shoulder dysfunction.
There are many causes and treatment options for thoracic spine disorders. Chiropractors have a wide range of treatment options for treating these conditions. Chiropractors are increasingly joining collaborative spinal care teams as a drug-free option for treating spinal and musculoskeletal conditions.
The thoracic spine is a marvel of joint interaction and complex motion patterns. Composed of a total of 220 separate joints, it makes up the lion�s share of the 313 total joints in the entire spine. �It’s easy to see that maintaining normal joint function, motion, and position is important. Chiropractors treat thoracic joint dysfunction with chiropractic adjustments.
While automobile accidents are the most common cause of whiplash, it must be noted, that these aren�t the only possible incidents behind the well-known injury. Any type of accelerated motion which thrusts the head forward and then backwards with extreme force from the entire body can lead to whiplash. Accidents from sports can also cause whiplash-associated injuries but auto accidents are the most prevalent.
The unexpected jolt of the head can damage the complex structures of the cervical spine, leaving the tendons and ligaments within the neck intensely irritated and inflamed. Furthermore, the tendons and ligaments as well as other tissues of the neck may become overly stretched and torn.
A whiplash type injury may be suspected if the individual involved in an automobile accident experiences the following symptoms: neck pain and stiffness; worsening pain with movement; loss of range of motion in the neck; headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull; tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms; tingling or numbness in the arms, fatigue and dizziness. Other individual�s may experience: blurred vision; ringing in the ears; sleep disturbances; irritability; difficulty concentrating; memory problems; and even depression. While these are some of the most common symptoms of whiplash, they may also suggest the presence of another type of injury or condition resulting from the automobile accident.
Thus, it�s essential to visit a qualified healthcare professional who can properly identify a whiplash injury and offer the required treatment to eliminate the resulting pain and symptoms.
Apart from assessing the doctor�s experience and qualifications, the victim of an automobile accident must primarily consider their geographical location and the type of insurance they are covered by when deciding on the type of doctor to visit following a whiplash type injury. Other factors that should influence the affected individual�s decision include whether they are represented by an attorney and whether they are living in a state where PIP, or personal injury protection, is mandatory.
Whiplash Specialists
A large number of people who�ve suffered injuries from auto accidents fail to receive the kind of medical care they require, occurring more frequently in the case of whiplash victims. It has been previously determined that the outcome of the patient�s rehabilitation depends on the type of doctor they receive care from.
Many individuals who�ve been involved in an automobile accident, regardless of the severity of the collision, will generally visit the emergency room, or ER, to have their injuries evaluated. The majority of ERs are designed to take patients out of life threatening situations. First, they immediately assess any visible injuries, such as open wounds and broken bones, treating them effectively on the spot. They may even prescribe medications to temporarily relieve the painful symptoms following a traffic collision. However, many victims are not treated for their whiplash injuries. The trained specialists from the ER, provide first-aid, X-rays and medications to remove individuals from life-threatening situations but they don�t readily treat soft-tissue injuries like whiplash. From there, patients are sent to see their primary care physician, or PCP, to assess the rest of their injuries, yet, they may still face hardships to finally receive the proper care they deserve for their injuries.
Primary Care Physicians and Whiplash
Unfortunately, many primary care physicians are not specifically qualified to treat automobile accident injuries and many of these may even deny patients treatment. For many years, whiplash-associated disorders have been misunderstood in the medical field. Many doctors believe whiplash is not a legitimate injury, however, those whom are suffering from whiplash can account for how painful it could really be.
Other doctors refuse treatment to whiplash patients because they may not accept any kind of 3rd party billing, a paying method where the doctor seeing the car accident victim has to bill the party at fault�s insurance company or utilize PIP or med pay to receive compensation.�This is a commonly well-known reason for denial of treatment as a large number of primary care physicians, or PCPs, still don�t have the required authorizations to accept 3rd party billing.
Besides primary care physicians, medical doctors, orthopedics, chiropractors and physical therapists are several types of qualified healthcare professionals that specialize on treating automobile accident injuries such as whiplash. Among these, chiropractic treatment is the most popular, alternative treatment option for treating various soft tissue injuries or conditions.
Chiropractic Care for Whiplash
A wide number of people belonging to the legal and medical industry will disregard the idea of visiting a chiropractor to treat auto injuries. However, the fact is that a chiropractors are some of the only doctors who offer therapeutic treatments to accident victims. Treatment offered by medical doctors might include the use of drugs, although in many cases, they may also recommend physical therapy. This automatically highlights the importance of chiropractic care for whiplash victims because chiropractic care and physical therapy are very similar forms of treatment.
Whenever an individual who�s been involved in an automobile accident visits a chiropractor and complains of pain in the neck, the medical specialist will carry out a series of tests to determine whether the patient has suffered whiplash. Instead of focusing solely on the specific injury, chiropractors are trained to inspect the affected individual�s entire spine. Aside from soft tissue injuries like whiplash, chiropractic doctors may also check for: disc trauma or injury, tightness or tenderness, restricted mobility, muscle spasms, joint injuries, ligament injuries, posture and spinal alignment. They may also analyze the patient�s gait.
Besides checking for the above, chiropractors might also request X-rays and MRI of the patient�s spine in order to find out whether the spine features any degenerative changes which might have developed before the accident. To offer the best possible treatment, it is extremely important to determine which problems existed prior to the accident and which ones resulted from the accident. In most cases, insurance companies may argue that every single injury in the victim�s body is preexisting. This makes the role of the chiropractor considerably important as they will make sure to document all the previous and new injuries separately to ensure the insurance company pays for the patient�s treatment. In addition, the evaluation performed by the chiropractor also allows them to create the most effective treatment plan for each individual whiplash victim.
Stages of Treatment
The primary concern for chiropractors treating individuals who�ve experienced whiplash-associated disorders involves alleviating the inflammation in the neck, one of the main sources of pain for victims. Chiropractors often recommend ice therapy, or the application of ice pack against the affected area, multiple times a day. This remedy is capable of reducing both pain and inflammation. Once the inflammation subsides, they often carry out a variety of manual therapeutic techniques to restore and increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
The kind of chiropractic treatment the individual will require depends largely on the severity of the whiplash encountered. However, it has been previously determined that the majority of individual�s with whiplash find spinal manipulations useful. The most common chiropractic treatment techniques involve, spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, to carefully re-align the structures of the spine and help reduce symptoms. The following spinal techniques are also used to treat whiplash injuries:
Instrument-assisted, this treatment involves the use of handheld instruments to provide a gentle massage by applying force onto the spine without utilizing any kind of thrust. Instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy is used mostly to treat older patients with degenerative joints; flexion-distraction, this technique involves the use of a non-thrusting motions, best described as a slow pumping action; specific spinal manipulation, this therapy involves the use of a mild thrusting technique and is mostly used for restoring motion to the affected joints. Specific spinal manipulation helps stretch the soft tissues, which makes the job of restoring motion to the affected areas of the spine easier; instrument-assisted chiropractic therapy, also known as the Graston Technique, is used during this form of chiropractic therapy to perform repetitive strokes on the injured body part; therapeutic massage, performed to ease muscle tension and stress in the injured region; interferential electrical stimulation, where a patient undergoing this type of therapy will see the chiropractor passing electrical current at a very low frequency through their body. This low frequency current helps stimulate the muscles and reduces inflammation; trigger point therapies, as the name suggests, involves the application of direct pressure onto specific points to alleviating muscle tension; and finally ultrasound therapy, capable of decreasing stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms in the affected areas. When ultrasound is passed through the patient�s muscle tissues, it warms up the treated region and increases blood circulation.
Neck Pain and Auto Injury
Chiropractic Recovery
Ultimately, chiropractors can help victims of whiplash in many ways. These health care providers can ensure that an individual� whiplash and its associated symptoms may subside completely. They always make sure to create a patient-specific treatment plan to make the process of recovery simpler for every individual.
Other than recommending immediate treatment for reducing the acute pain and inflammation, the chiropractor might additionally recommend a series of stretches and exercises, to help speed up the rehabilitation process as well as help increase the individual�s strength, flexibility and mobility.
Whiplash injuries, when left untreated, can cause severe complications. If you or a loved one have been involved in an automobile accident, visit a chiropractor immediately. By being prompt, you can even reduce your recovery time significantly. That�s not all; the chiropractor will also provide the required assistance to your lawyer, proving that the injury resulting from the accident wasn�t a preexisting injury or condition.
When you are injured in a car accident, you must get acquainted with your rights as soon as possible to receive the proper compensation and treatment for your specific situation. There is no such thing as a simple car crash.
Certain injuries or conditions which may have developed following an automobile accident may become chronic or permanent if left untreated. If an individual is experiencing neck stiffness or headaches after a traffic collision, it�s absolutely wrong to assume that this will subside in a few days. A minor discomfort could turn out to be a more serious complication. Often, people injured in auto accidents develop scar tissue that remains with them throughout the rest of their lives and without the necessary treatments or exercises, these can become stiff and greatly limit an individual�s ability to move properly. The above issues generating from a car accident show how important it is for people to seek immediate legal and medical help. Chiropractors are known for their expertise in managing soft tissue injuries and the resulting chronic and traumatic pain; as a result, they are often considered to be the best healthcare professionals to consult after a car accident.
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