Understanding what to do when an accident happens, and what types of injuries can occur may save you time, money, and long-term medical care. A prompt physical examination is the best advice. A thorough examination by a chiropractic physician is a wise precaution to determine the presence or absence of "hidden" injuries. Confer immediately with your doctor of chiropractic who will determine the extent of any injuries. See how the nervous system controls & coordinates all organs of your body.
Common Injuries
Low-Velocity Injuries (under 10 mph), usually result from the rapid movement of the body during the accident. This movement may result in muscle strain, seat belt bruises or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Other symptoms may be delayed, but pain and stiffness may occur within 12-36 hours after impact.
High-Velocity Injuries (over 10 mph), usually result from a second impact, the body hitting objects inside the vehicle such as the dashboard, steering wheel, or window. Common injuries of this kind include shoulder, head or knee hematomas, wrist fractures, neck sprains, concussions, and a variety of contusions.
Traumatic Cervical Syndrome, more commonly known as whiplash, occurs when the neck is forced through a rapid series of movements faster than the bones, muscles and ligaments can accommodate. Some symptoms include swelling, tenderness, weakness or pain in the neck and shoulder; sore throat and/or loss of voice, trouble swallowing; jaw problems; vomiting; flashing lights in the visual field; headache; light-headedness or dizziness; painful tingling sensations; visual disturbances or blurred vision; and ringing in the ears. In some cases pain may not present itself for 12-36 hours after impact.
High-Velocity Injuries (over 10 mph), usually result from a second impact, the body hitting objects inside the vehicle such as the dashboard, steering wheel, or window. Common injuries of this kind include shoulder, head or knee hematomas, wrist fractures, neck sprains, concussions, and a variety of contusions.
Traumatic Cervical Syndrome, more commonly known as whiplash, occurs when the neck is forced through a rapid series of movements faster than the bones, muscles and ligaments can accommodate. Some symptoms include swelling, tenderness, weakness or pain in the neck and shoulder; sore throat and/or loss of voice, trouble swallowing; jaw problems; vomiting; flashing lights in the visual field; headache; light-headedness or dizziness; painful tingling sensations; visual disturbances or blurred vision; and ringing in the ears. In some cases pain may not present itself for 12-36 hours after impact.
Whiplash
Whiplash-a soft tissue injury to the neck-is also called neck sprain or neck strain. It is characterized by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck, usually because of sudden extension and flexion. The disorder commonly occurs as the result of an automobile accident and may include injury to intervertebral joints, discs, and ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots.
Symptoms such as neck pain may be present directly after the injury or may be delayed for several days. In addition to neck pain, other symptoms may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments (myofascial injuries), headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling (paresthesias), or shoulder or back pain. In addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression.
Symptoms such as neck pain may be present directly after the injury or may be delayed for several days. In addition to neck pain, other symptoms may include neck stiffness, injuries to the muscles and ligaments (myofascial injuries), headache, dizziness, abnormal sensations such as burning or prickling (paresthesias), or shoulder or back pain. In addition, some people experience cognitive, somatic, or psychological conditions such as memory loss, concentration impairment, nervousness/irritability, sleep disturbances, fatigue, or depression.
Computer Injuries
As more and more work, education and recreation involves computers, everyone needs to be aware of the hazard or Repetitive Strain Injury to the hands and arms resulting from the use of computer keyboards and mice. This can be a serious and very painful condition that is far easier to prevent then the cure once contracted, and can occur even in young physically fit individuals. It is not uncommon for people to have to leave computer-dependent careers as a result, or even to be disabled and unable to perform tasks such as driving or dressing themselves.
Repetitive Strain Injuries occur from repeated physical movements doing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. The rise of computer use and flat, light-touch keyboards that permit high speed typing have resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the hands, arms, and shoulders. Use of pointing devices like mice and trackballs are as much a cause, if not more so. The thousands of repeated keystrokes and long periods of clutching and dragging with mice slowly accumulates damage to the body. This can happen even more quickly as a result of typing technique and body positions that place stress on the tendons and nerves in the hand, wrist, arms, shoulders, and neck.
Repetitive Strain Injuries occur from repeated physical movements doing damage to tendons, nerves, muscles, and other soft body tissues. The rise of computer use and flat, light-touch keyboards that permit high speed typing have resulted in an epidemic of injuries of the hands, arms, and shoulders. Use of pointing devices like mice and trackballs are as much a cause, if not more so. The thousands of repeated keystrokes and long periods of clutching and dragging with mice slowly accumulates damage to the body. This can happen even more quickly as a result of typing technique and body positions that place stress on the tendons and nerves in the hand, wrist, arms, shoulders, and neck.
Wellness Care
Wellness care is designed to maintain your improved health, encourage normal spinal function, prevent the return of the original condition, and catch small problems before they become serious. A personal wellness care program will be designed specifically for you which will promote vitality, and the ability to enjoy life to its fullest.
A good way to look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry. We all know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with regular maintenance and check-ups, cavities are prevented. Similarly, it often takes a long time to develop a spinal misalignment. But with regular maintenance, spinal misalignments are prevented.
Few things as complicated as your body can be "fixed" and then ignored. Think of your car, your teeth, or your relationships. They take time and effort to maintain, but you know it's worth it in the long run. That's why we recommend a regular schedule of chiropractic check-ups
A good way to look at chiropractic is to relate it to dentistry. We all know it takes a long time to develop tooth decay, but with regular maintenance and check-ups, cavities are prevented. Similarly, it often takes a long time to develop a spinal misalignment. But with regular maintenance, spinal misalignments are prevented.
Few things as complicated as your body can be "fixed" and then ignored. Think of your car, your teeth, or your relationships. They take time and effort to maintain, but you know it's worth it in the long run. That's why we recommend a regular schedule of chiropractic check-ups