Category: Uncategorized

Does Pain Management Help With Healing, Too?

Pain is often an overlooked part of recovery from trauma. Whether you’ve suffered a herniated disc, a knee injury, or any other impact injury, managing your pain is critical to making a full recovery. Read on to learn more about pain management and its critical role in helping you heal from an injury and restoring your quality of life. 

Types of Pain You May Experience After an Injury

There are many types of pain you can experience after trauma or an impact injury. The type of pain you’re dealing with—and its location and severity—will all factor into the pain management plan your medical team provides for you. Here are some of the common sources of pain after an injury:

• Acute Pain. This type of pain is sharp and is limited to the affected area, and it can last for days or weeks, depending on the severity and type of injury you’ve sustained.

• Chronic Pain. When pain lasts for three months or more, it’s considered chronic pain. This type of pain is often associated with nerve damage, tissue damage, or conditions that cause pain over time, including arthritis.

• Neuropathic Pain. Sensations like burning, numbness, or tingling may occur after an injury, and they’re often caused by inflammation or nerve damage. 

Managing Pain Helps With Healing

Managing your pain is crucial when it comes to recovery after an injury. Aside from the distraction and distress pain causes, keeping pain under control allows you to take part in any treatments—like physical therapy or chiropractic care—that your doctor has prescribed for your recovery. 

Other Benefits of Pain Management

There are several reasons why pain management is critical after an impact injury. Whether you’re suffering from a musculoskeletal injury or soft tissue damage, pain management can:

• Reduce the Risk of Further Injury. As you recover from your injury, effectively managing your pain reduces your risk of sustaining further injury or—worse yet—disability. Pain management helps you avoid overexertion, reducing the likelihood of more serious harm. 

• Improve Quality of Life. Pain after an injury often worsens over time and ignoring it won’t make it go away. Appropriately managing pain will help you participate in your everyday activities with less discomfort, allowing you to enjoy life.

• Avoid Dependence on Prescription Medications. Prescription medications only provide temporary pain relief, and prolonged use can quickly lead to addiction. Natural pain management remedies like manual, chiropractic care, or physical therapy deliver long-term solutions for managing pain and improving mobility, without exposing yourself to the risks that accompany prescription medication usage. 

• Promote Good Mental Health. Pain has a big impact not only on your physical health but also on your mental health. Managing pain effectively can help you avoid developing conditions like depression and anxiety. Reducing pain goes together with reducing stress, allowing you to focus on healing, rather than your challenges.

Take the First Step Toward Effective Pain Management Today

No matter what type of pain you’re suffering from, it could be keeping you from making a full recovery after an injury. The caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota is ready to provide you with a pain management plan that addresses your pain at the source, so you can focus on recovery. Call us today at (941) 722-8103 to schedule your free consultation.

Most Common Injuries Associated With T-Bone Accidents

T-bone accidents, also called side-impact collisions, are one of the most common types of motor vehicle accidents. In fact, the IIHS reported that T-bone accidents made up 23% of vehicle occupant deaths in car accidents in 2020. In the best-case scenario, these collisions cause significant injuries, many of which can lead to long-term negative health effects. Here are the most common injuries associated with T-bone accidents, and what you should do if you’ve been in one. 

Spinal Injuries

The most common T-bone injury is a spinal injury. As two vehicles collide, passengers experience the sudden force caused when inertia is disrupted, giving the body nearly no time to adjust to the impact. These abrupt movements often cause serious spinal injuries, including those that affect the back and neck.

Most T-bone injuries experience whiplash which often results in long-term pain. Other more serious injuries like fractures of the cervical bones in the neck and spinal cord injuries can cause long-term disability or even paralysis. 

One important thing to remember is that spinal injuries often take several days to fully manifest. If you’re experiencing any minor, initial symptoms, don’t shrug them off, and seek medical care immediately. 

Head and TBI Injuries

Head injuries are a common result of T-bone accidents, especially for passengers of the vehicle that’s struck from the side. These impacts often cause the heads of occupants to strike objects around them, including the side window, dashboard, steering wheel, or even other vehicle occupants. Any contact between the head and another object can cause serious injury, including anything from a concussion to Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Traumatic brain injuries are very serious, difficult to treat, and can cause lifelong complications, including permanent disability. If you’re in any kind of accident, including a T-bone accident, and experience an impact injury to the head, get examined by a doctor immediately to rule out any brain injuries, including TBIs.

Hip and Leg Injuries

A side impact often is located squarely at the hip or waist, potentially causing serious injuries to a person’s hips. The force of the impact could cause occupants to hit either the door on one side or the center console on the other. From bruising to hip or leg fractures, the resulting injury can be painful and even debilitating.

While severe bruises can make it difficult to walk, fractures in this area are much worse, often requiring advanced medical procedures and even surgery. People with these injuries often require a physical therapy regimen to regain mobility and achieve recovery.

Seek Medical Care After a T-Bone Accident

If you’ve been in a T-bone collision—even one you think is minor—you should be examined by a doctor immediately. Many symptoms of an impact injury take several days to manifest, and the earlier you seek treatment, the quicker you can recover. Call the expert medical team at Impact Medical Group of Port Richey today at (727) 848-3377 to schedule your free evaluation and start your journey to a full recovery.

Our Top Tips for Promoting Injury Recovery From Home

Recovering from an injury, especially one sustained in a car accident, can be difficult and time consuming. But with the right guidance and resources, you can promote recovery in the comfort of your own home.

In this guide, our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center provides our top tips for promoting injury recovery from home so that you can get back to your normal activities faster. Let’s get started!

How Long Will It Take to Recover from an Accident?

Depending on the severity of your injury, it could take weeks or months for it to fully heal. The length of your recovery will depend on a variety of factors including:

• Your health before the accident
• The injuries you have sustained
• The amount of time you wait to receive treatment
• Your age
• Your diet and exercise habits
• How much sleep and rest you get

Promote Injury Recovery Effortlessly from Home

Injuries can happen at any time, and they can be quite debilitating. Whether it’s from a car accident or an accidental fall, promoting injury recovery is essential to get back on your feet.

Follow these tips to start your journey to recovery at home!

#1. Drink Plenty of Water

After an accident, it is crucial to drink at least six glasses of water each day to help the body reduce inflammation.

Avoid sugary drinks and alcohol. Drinks that have a lot of high fructose corn syrup in them can interfere with your body’s production of collagen, which plays an essential role in recovering from muscle tears.

#2. Utilize Hot and Cold Therapies

Knowing when to use hot or cold therapies can be tricky, so we recommend alternating between the two. This is called contrast therapy and it involves the use of heat and ice to relieve the pain from injuries.

• Ice therapy: The use of ice is effective in narrowing the blood vessels and lowering inflammation.
• Heat therapy: Heat therapy works to increase circulation by expanding blood vessels. This reduces pain and relieves cramps. But it can also make inflammation worse.

By alternating when you use these therapies, you can reduce inflammation, stimulate circulation, and loosen tight muscles, which will help you recover faster.

#3. Give Yourself Time to Heal

Don’t jump right back into your daily activities, take it easy as you recover from any injuries. Avoid pushing yourself while you are still healing as this could cause further damage.

#4. Get Ample Sleep

Getting enough sleep is crucial to healing. Though most adults need seven to eight hours of sleep to feel well-rested, you may find that you are sleeping more while you heal from an injury, which is perfectly fine!

To get good sleep:

• Avoid caffeine consumption in the evening
• Limit cell phone and computer use before bed
• Follow a regular sleep schedule

#5. Try Light Exercises and Stretching

While your normal workout routine of HIIT exercises or weightlifting should be avoided, gentle stretches and exercises can aid in the healing process.

Before starting, be sure to talk with your doctor or physical therapist for advice on what exercise you can participate in.

#6. Eat Healthy Foods

Eating certain kinds of food can shorten the recovery time needed by providing your body with an infusion of nutrients that it needs to repair itself.

Fruits and vegetables are great for reducing inflammation, while lean protein like fish or chicken can help you rebuild your muscle mass.

#7. Take Care of Your Mental Health

Recovering from an accident can be isolating, especially if the recovery process takes months rather than weeks. On top of that, aside from your physical pain, you may also be experiencing emotional trauma after your accident. This can include anxiety, depression, PTSD, or even a strong fear of getting behind the wheel to drive.

Overcoming this psychological trauma can be challenging, but with time and proper treatment, you will be able to move forward and regain the confidence to get out on the road.

To boost your emotional recovery after an accident:

• Talk with friends and family
• Get help from a therapist
• Avoid drugs or alcohol
• Ease yourself back into driving and your daily routine

Start the Road to Recovery

Though you can help promote injury recovery at home, nothing beats the care and compassion of our doctors and therapists at Impact Medical Sun City Center. From physical therapy and manual to chiropractic care and pain management treatments, we are ready to help you recover and get back to your life.

Contact us today to schedule an appointment at (813) 938-5195!

What Speed Do Most Car Accidents Happen At?

Speed plays a significant role in car accident injuries. Every year, countless people are injured or killed in motor vehicle collisions, often because of excessive speed. While crashes can occur at any speed, most of these devastating incidents happen at higher rates of speed than many people realize.

Our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills examines the link between speed and car accident injuries, discussing how specific speeds increase the risk of injury to those involved.

What Speed Do Most Accidents Happen At?

Car accidents are one of the leading causes of injury and death worldwide. While there are many factors that contribute to car accidents, speed is often cited as a major culprit. But at what speed do most car accidents happen? According to research, most car accidents occur at speeds below 40 mph.

While high-speed collisions can certainly be dangerous and result in severe injuries, it’s the more common low-speed crashes that cause most injuries on the road. In fact, studies have shown that whiplash injuries are more likely to occur in rear-end collisions involving speeds as low as 10-15 mph. This is because even at these relatively slow speeds, the force of impact can cause significant damage to soft tissues like muscles and ligaments in the neck and back.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that drivers should feel safe driving above 40 mph!

Common Injuries Caused by Low-Speed Accidents

Low-speed accidents may not seem as severe as high-speed collisions, but they still carry the risk of causing serious injuries. Even if a vehicle is traveling at a slow speed, the impact can create enough force to cause significant harm to the occupants inside the car. Some common injuries that can occur in low-speed accidents include whiplash, concussions, and broken bones.

Whiplash

Whiplash occurs when your neck and head jerk forward and then snap back suddenly due to the impact of a collision. Even at low speeds, this sudden motion can strain or tear muscles and ligaments in your neck, causing pain and stiffness. Other soft tissue injuries such as bruises or contusions may also occur.

Concussions

Concussions are a common injury that can occur during low-speed car accidents. While many people associate concussions with high-impact sports like football or hockey, they can also be caused by even minor collisions. Concussions happen when the brain is shaken inside the skull, causing damage to brain cells, and potentially leading to long-term cognitive problems.

Even if you were not seriously injured in a low-speed car accident, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of a concussion.

These may include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Sensitivity to light or noise
• Difficulty concentrating or remembering things.

Your doctor will likely order imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan of your brain to evaluate any potential damage.

Broken Bones

Broken bones in a low-speed car accident may seem unlikely, but they can happen. Even when the collision is at a lower speed, the force can still cause serious injuries that are not immediately apparent. Broken bones are among the most common types of injuries sustained in car accidents, and they can have long-lasting effects on victims.

A broken bone can cause significant pain and discomfort, and it may take weeks or even months to fully heal. Depending on the severity of the break, surgery may be required to set the bone properly. In some cases, physical therapy may also be necessary to help restore strength and mobility after the injury has healed. Yes, even in a 40 mph or less accident!

Recovery From Low-Speed Accidents

Being involved in a car accident, no matter how minor it may seem, can be a traumatic experience. Even low-speed collisions can cause significant physical and emotional damage that can affect you for months or even years after the incident. However, it’s important to take the necessary steps to recover both physically and mentally to get back on track.

Seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Don’t brush off any pain or discomfort as minor injuries could escalate if left untreated. Even if you don’t feel any immediate pain, schedule an appointment with your doctor for a thorough assessment. Follow all medical advice given to ensure proper healing and recovery time.

Don’t hesitate to seek support from family and friends during this difficult time. Car accidents can leave emotional scars that need healing just as much as physical ones do.

Post-Accident Healing Made Easier

The healing process after an accident can be difficult, but it is not impossible. With the help of our experienced team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills, patients are able to get back on their feet and reclaim their lives through chiropractic care, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more.

Contact us to schedule an appointment today; (813) 706-5156!