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3 Reasons to Never Drive With Your Feet Up

While we know it can be tempting to put your feet up on the dashboard when you’re on a long road trip, we highly recommend that you stop doing so immediately. Why? Because if you are in an accident, you could be in for catastrophic injuries due to the amount of force at which airbags are deployed.

Our after-accident care team at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel explains.

Revealing the Hidden Risks of Driving with Feet Up on the Dash

There are many reasons why putting your feet up on the dash while driving or as a passenger is a dangerous habit, and it’s important to understand them to avoid potential harm. Here are some of the primary reasons why you should never drive with your feet up:

• #1: Driving with your feet up can impair your ability to brake and accelerate quickly. In an emergency, every second counts, and having your feet on the pedals allows you to react quickly and effectively.

• #2: If you have your feet up on the dash when an accident occurs, the airbags will deploy at high speed and force. This can cause serious harm to your legs and other body parts due to their sudden movement. Additionally, because you are not sitting properly in your seat with a seatbelt fastened, you can easily be thrown from the vehicle upon impact.

• #3: Placing your feet on the dashboard also puts you at risk of injury from flying debris that may occur during accidents or sudden stops. Even minor accidents can cause items within the car to become projectiles that can strike passengers at high speeds.

Risky Business: The Danger of Driving with Feet Up

One of the most common injuries associated with riding with your feet up is knee damage. In an accident, your knees can be forcefully pushed up towards your chest causing fractures, dislocations, and tears in ligaments and tendons. This type of injury can result in long-term pain and mobility issues.

Another potential injury that could occur from riding with your feet up is head trauma. If you’re involved in a collision while sitting with your legs extended out, there’s a high likelihood that you’ll hit the windshield or dashboard with significant force.

Further, when you place your feet on the dashboard while driving or sitting on the passenger side, you’re essentially removing any chance of being able to brace yourself if an accident occurs.

This means that if you’re in a collision, your body will be thrown forward at high speeds without any protection or support from the vehicle. This can lead to serious injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord damage, and more.

Even worse, there have been cases where drivers and passengers have been killed instantly upon impact because they were unable to protect themselves due to their position in the car.

Get the After-Accident Care You Need

Remember, driving or riding with your feet up on the dashboard can be very dangerous. Not only can this put you at risk of an accident, but you could also suffer serious injuries as a result.

If you need medical attention due to a driving-related injury, visit Impact Medical Wesley Chapel for treatment and rehabilitation or give us a call at (813) 953-1002. We will help you heal!

5 Healthy Driving Habits That Can Help You Avoid Accidents

Driving is a daily part of most of our lives but navigating the roads can be a nerve-wracking experience. No matter how carefully we drive, there’s always the risk of an accident caused by someone else’s careless actions. It’s frustrating, but unfortunately, it’s just a fact of being on the road. So, what can we do to protect ourselves? The best thing you can do is focus on your own driving and be prepared for anything. Here are our top five healthy driving habits that can help you avoid accidents.

1. Avoid Distractions

Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of accidents in the United States. From texting and driving to eating and drinking, there are plenty of distractions that can steal your attention from the road. Keep your focus on driving only, and finish your text conversation, end your phone call, finish your food, or anything else before shifting your car out of park and driving.

2. Drive Slower

The faster you drive, the more likely you are to be involved in an accident. Also, higher speeds lead to more severe collisions. Stay within posted speed limits and enjoy the ride to protect the safety of yourself and other drivers.

3. Never Drive Tired

Thousands of crashes each year are the result of driver fatigue, and it’s something that’s completely preventable. Make it a priority to never drive tired. If you’re feeling fatigued, get some shut-eye before hitting the road.

4. Never Drive Under the Influence

Another common cause of car accidents that is completely preventable is driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. There are plenty of transportation options at your disposal, so there’s never an excuse to drive drunk. Whether you have to grab an Uber, call a friend, or walk with a buddy, never drive impaired.

5. Wear Your Seat Belt

Buckling up isn’t just the law—it’s a lifesaver. Seat belts prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle, as well as make airbags more effective. Always wear your seat belt, regardless of where you’re going or how long you’ll be in the vehicle.

Seek Medical Attention Immediately After an Accident

Regardless of how carefully you drive, accidents still happen. By being a diligent and cautious driver, you can minimize the risk and keep yourself safe, but you can’t control other people’s behavior on the roads. If you or a loved one is involved in a car accident, seek medical attention immediately, regardless of whether you feel symptoms. No matter how small the accident may seem, be sure to prioritize your health and seek medical attention as soon as possible. 

The caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Brandon will perform a comprehensive evaluation to make sure there are no underlying injuries that can affect you down the road. Call just today at (813) 522-8885 to schedule your free consultation!

Five Surprising Mental Health Benefits of Chiropractic Care

Considering chiropractic care? Many people think of it as a way to address physical aches and pains, but chiropractors provide many helpful mental benefits, too. Many studies link healthy spine alignment to proper sleep, less stress, and lower levels of anxiety. Read on to learn all about the five most surprising health benefits of chiropractic care. 

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic care is a holistic approach to health and wellness. By adjusting misalignments in the spine, known as subluxations, chiropractors relieve pain and tension in the body without drugs or surgery. Chiropractic care also provides non-invasive solutions for issues such as migraines, headaches, sciatica, arthritis, and back pain. 

This gentle treatment can also help improve mental clarity, digestion problems, hormonal imbalances, sleep disturbances, and many more physical symptoms. The ultimate goal of treatment is to provide individuals with a healthier lifestyle to achieve optimal well-being.

How Can Chiropractic Care Improve Mental Health Symptoms?

There are a variety of ways that chiropractic care can improve mental health symptoms, including anxiety and depression. Here’s how:

1. Finding Balance Between the Body and Mind. Most people discover that finding balance in the way the body and mind work together can be critical for managing anxiety and depression. Regular chiropractic care can ensure the body functions optimally by alleviating spinal misalignments. In turn, this encourages your mind to focus on what it needs to heal. Chiropractic care makes it easier for you to balance exercise, nutrition, spinal health, and mental health.

2. Releasing Positive Hormones. Chiropractic adjustments trigger a natural, beneficial hormone release within the body. By releasing good hormones like cortisol and oxytocin, chiropractic care has a positive effect on your overall health and well-being, reducing stress and alleviating pain and inflammation to improve your mental state

3. Promoting Sleep. Running on too little sleep only worsens mental health symptoms like stress and anxiety. Chiropractic care is linked to more restorative sleep, helping you adopt better sleep patterns and, in turn, improving your mental state.

3. Reducing Reliance on Medication. Many people resort to prescription medications to deal with mental health symptoms. Unfortunately, long-term reliance on many of these medications also comes with unwanted side effects like fatigue, insomnia, or weight gain. Chiropractic care reduces your reliance on prescription medications, providing an all-natural remedy for anxiety and depression symptoms.

4. Relieving Tension. Muscle tension often accompanies mental health symptoms like anxiety or depression. Not only does chiropractic care improve your spinal health, but it also elevates your musculoskeletal health. It loosens up muscle tightness and tension which can also cause headaches and stiffness. Chiropractic care goes a long way toward helping people experience meaningful rest and relaxation.

Experience the Full Range of Benefits From Professional Chiropractic Care

If you or someone you love is affected by mental health symptoms, chiropractic care can make a world of difference. From balancing the body and mind to relieving tension, there is a full range of physical and mental health benefits that come with all-natural chiropractic care. Start your journey to better health and well-being by reaching out to the expert chiropractic team at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free consultation!

What Are the Most Common Leg Injuries From an Auto Accident?

Car accidents are a regular occurrence on America’s roads, and, unfortunately, they’re often accompanied by injury. The legs are one of the most vulnerable body parts to injury in a collision. In fact, a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Commission determined that at least 37% of car accidents involved an injury to the legs. Read on to learn about the most common leg injuries from auto accidents, and what you should do if you’re involved in a collision.

Bruises

Also called contusions, bruises are the most commonly expected physical injuries after a car accident. They’re usually visible on the skin, including the leg, and are marked by discoloration that ranges from blue to dark yellow. 

Bruises are usually among the least of the injuries you’ll experience from a car accident, and they’re typically found in places where the body impacted an object. A more severe bruise is called a hematoma—they’re much more painful and tender. Sometimes, bruising can signal significant damage to tissues, so even if they aren’t painful, they should be examined by a doctor.

Cuts

Cuts, or lacerations, are common on legs and other areas of the body after a car collision. Like bruising, they usually cause no reason for alarm if they’re treated properly. If you have a cut from a collision, use direct pressure to stop the bleeding. Seek medical attention immediately if the bleeding doesn’t stop, or if you start to feel dizzy.

Broken or Crushed Bones

Any of the bones in your body are vulnerable to injury in a car accident. In some cases, your legs may experience an impact that damages the bones and tissue around them. A crush injury can cause anything from fractures to completely shattered bones. Aside from getting immediate medical attention to properly set the bones, when necessary, you can often expect to follow a physical therapy program to support your full recovery. 

Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissues in the legs, including cartilage, ligaments, nerves, and tendons can be damaged during a car collision. Depending on the severity and type of damage, these injuries can be very painful and require long recovery times. Sprains, for example, affect tendons and ligaments, whereas strains impact muscle and fascia. Failing to treat the affected areas properly can even cause lifelong, recurring pain.

Most soft tissue injuries require a significant amount of rest and time for recovery. Your doctor may recommend the RICE method—rest, ice, compression, and elevation–to treat the injury. In some cases, advanced treatment options like injections or physical therapy are necessary for a full recovery.

ACL Injuries

The impact of a car accident often causes a vehicle occupant’s legs to twist suddenly, or to hyperextend the knee. This can often cause a sprain or tear to the ACL, and it comes with significant levels of pain. 

Most people who experience an ACL injury will hear a popping or cracking sound, followed by severe pain in the area. If you’re unable to stand or put on weight on the affected leg–or you notice swelling in the knee and a reduced range of motion—reach out to your doctor immediately.

Seek Medical Attention If You’re Involved in a Collision—No Matter How Minor It Seems

Car accidents can be scary and unexpected events that can leave you feeling shaken up and confused. While some accidents may seem minor, seeking medical attention immediately after it occurs is crucial. Even if you don’t feel any immediate symptoms, it’s important to get checked out by a medical professional to ensure that there are no underlying injuries that could cause issues down the road, especially leg injuries that could impact your mobility.

Take the first step in your full recovery by partnering with the caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free, comprehensive evaluation!