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Here’s How We Treat PTSD After Being Involved in an Auto Accident

Suffering from emotional and psychological distress after a car accident? Collisions are scary, upsetting, and can leave a lasting mark on your mental health. Nearly one-third of car accident victims experience emotional trauma from the event, and one-fourth of that number will develop post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. Luckily, there is hope. Here’s how to recover from anxiety, emotional trauma, and PTSD after a car accident.

What Is PTSD?

PTSD is a debilitating mental health condition that can significantly impact a person’s quality of life. The condition is often triggered by a traumatic event, especially one that involves life-threatening situations. From acts of violence to natural disasters, witnessing a death to experiencing a car accident, there are many potential events that can trigger PTSD. For some, the lingering mental trauma after the event can become even more harmful and long-lasting than physical injuries.

Symptoms of Car Accident-Related PTSD

While PTSD manifests itself differently from person to person, some common threads exist. Many people experience the traumatic event over again in nightmares or flashbacks, and it can lead to avoidant symptoms that include people, places, or experiences that could be reminders of the event.

Car accident victims often experience some specific PTSD symptoms that may not appear immediately. It often takes weeks or months to develop symptoms, which may include:

• Extreme mood swings
• Feeling withdrawn from loved ones and friends
• Flashbacks of the accident
• Intrusive thoughts about self-harm
• Refusing to drive or ride in a vehicle
• Suicidal thoughts

How to Treat Car Accident-Related PTSD

Even minor car accidents can do more damage than physical trauma. These life-changing events can leave a lasting impact on your brain. As your fight-or-flight mechanism kicks into gear during a traumatic situation like a car accident, it leaves a permanent mark. As the brain relives the experience, it can lead to panic attacks; depression or anxiety; mood swings; and more.

PTSD after a car accident is serious—luckily, help is readily available. At Impact Medical Group of Sarasota, we provide Injury Trauma Counseling to address PTSD and other car accident-related mental health concerns. Our team of seasoned Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Social Workers work together to provide a customized treatment plan that allows you to take back control of your life. Treatments can include:

• Evidence-based treatment methods like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing; Supportive Talk Therapy; and more.

• Professional counseling through feelings of apprehension or anxiety surrounding surgery.

• Prescribing medications like antidepressants to ease anxiety.

Seek Injury Trauma Counseling After an Accident

For many car accident victims, recovering from an accident involves much more than simply healing physical symptoms. If you’re suffering from PTSD or any other emotional car accident trauma, the caring team at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota are standing by to help. We’re ready to offer the support you need to get through this and get back to living a fulfilling life. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free consultation.

When to Use Manual Therapy vs. Acupuncture for Accident Injuries

Injured in a car accident? While some injuries require surgical intervention, other non-invasive treatments like manual therapy or acupuncture can be effective at treating car accident injuries and supporting quicker recoveries. When you seek medical attention after an accident, your provider may recommend manual therapy or acupuncture to support your healing. Here’s a brief guide to these two effective treatments and when to use them.

When to Use Manual Therapy

Manual therapy aids in the healing process by working superficial and deeper layers of muscle tissue. Using various techniques, a manual therapist enhances function and promotes relaxation.

Manual therapy can help the recovery process after a car accident. Depending on the extent of your injuries and your treatment plan, your doctor may recommend several types of manual like Swedish manual, trigger point manual, deep muscle therapy manual, etc. Manual therapy is ideal for treating the following conditions following an accident:

• Soft Tissue Injuries. Most post-accident manual focuses on the muscle and the facia. By increasing circulation, manual can heal soft tissue injuries like whiplash, knee injuries, and more.

• Soreness or Generalized Pain. Many people develop soreness in the days following an accident—the sudden force of the incident can even make your whole-body ache. By providing pain relief, improving circulation, and reducing inflammation, manual can resolve both specific and generalized pain.

When to Use Acupuncture

Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicinal technique that involves inserting hair-thin needles in specific pain points on the body. The tiny needles facilitate healing by eliciting a neurological and/or hormonal response in target areas. Acupuncture has been used to treat a wide range of internal medical conditions, from infertility to menstrual regulation. Today, it’s commonly used to relieve pain after an injury, including a car accident injury.

If you’re suffering from a car accident injury, acupuncture is an ideal treatment for:

• Inflammation-Related Injuries. Acupuncture reduces recovery times after an accident by treating sprains, strains, tears, and other trauma that involves inflammation. It can be a great technique for quick pain relief following an injury—or post-surgery.

• Whiplash is a common car accident injury, caused by rapid movement of the neck due to the force of impact. Acupuncture can be a vital part of a whiplash treatment plan, and it’s been successful at relieving neck pain, headaches, and other issues caused by whiplash.

• Stress and Anxiety. Many car accident victims feel stress and anxiety for weeks or months following the incident—especially if they’ve been seriously injured. Acupuncture provides helpful stress relief that can aid in your emotional recovery after an accident.

Always Seek Medical Attention After a Car Accident

If you’ve been in a car accident, the best thing you can do is seek medical attention as quickly as possible. The many injuries you can experience may not be obvious right away, so always seek advice from the medical team at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg as a precautionary measure. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free consultation.

Here Are Florida’s Top Ten Cities for Auto Accidents

If you live in Florida, you know that auto accidents are a part of life. Whether it’s rush hour traffic or an unexpected detour, getting around by car can be unpredictable. If you’re wondering which cities have the highest number of vehicle collisions, then this article is for you.

Our team at Impact Medical Sun City Center goes over the top ten cities in Florida with the highest rate of car accidents so you can stay safe when driving there.

Why Is Florida Notorious for Accidents?

Have you ever wondered why the state of Florida has so many auto accidents? From I-95 to back roads, auto accidents occur in large numbers across the Sunshine State. What causes all these collisions and what can motorists do to stay safe on the roads?

Living in Florida means living with certain risks when it comes to driving. While there are several factors that can contribute to car accidents–including weather conditions, distracted drivers, and road hazards–the main cause might surprise you. Generally speaking, auto accidents in Florida are most commonly caused by driver error or negligence.

Florida Top Ten Cities for Auto Accidents

By arming yourself with this knowledge and taking extra precautions while driving in these areas, we hope that it will help keep you safe.

Let’s dive in! In no particular order, the top 10 cities for auto accidents in Florida include:

#1. Fort Lauderdale, Broward County

Fort Lauderdale, home to beautiful beaches and spring break vacationers each year is notorious for its auto accidents.

The Fort Lauderdale Police Department reported 7,889 accidents in 2020. Of those, 131 were serious injuries and 30 were fatalities.

The intersection of A1A and Las Olas in Fort Lauderdale was among the top five deadliest intersections in South Florida in 2020 as well. 

#2. Hollywood, Broward County

The Hollywood police department reported 4,674 crashes in 2020. 64 accidents include serious injuries and 18 fatalities. The intersection of Highway 441 and Pembroke Road near Hollywood has been the site of many crashes over the years, and sometimes several crashes in one day.

#3. Jacksonville, Duval County

Jacksonville sits on the Atlantic coast and has the largest population of any city in Florida. In 2020, there were 26,765 accidents, 93 of which were fatalities and 319 serious injuries. Some of the most dangerous intersections in Jacksonville are along Blanding Boulevard.

#4. Tampa, Hillsborough County

In 2020, the Tampa Police Department reported 13,352 accidents. Of those, 238 involved serious injuries and 56 fatalities.

Several of the most dangerous intersections in Hillsborough country were in Town N’ Country as well as some in Tampa. In the county, 419 accidents were attributed to alcohol use.

#5. Tallahassee, Leon County

There were 6,322 accidents, 22 fatalities, and 59 serious injuries reported by the Tallahassee Police Department in 2020. Some of the most dangerous intersections in Tallahassee are found at Orange Avenue and Springhill Road, Capital Circle, and West Tennessee, and Monroe and Orange Avenue.

Although Tallahassee ranks among the top 10 for the number of crashes, Leon County is not high on the list of counties in Florida with the most accidents.

#6. Miami, Miami-Dade County

In addition to ranking as one of the top Florida cities for the most car accidents, Miami also ranks among the top cities in the United States for the most car accidents. However, there was a slight drop in accidents in Miami in 2020.

#7. Hialeah, Miami-Dade

In 2020, the Hialeah Police Department reported 9,179 accidents with 20 fatalities and 76 serious injuries.

The intersection of North Okeechobee Road and Hialeah Gardens Boulevard in Hialeah Gardens is one of the five most dangerous intersections in Florida.

#8. Orlando, Orange County

There were 11,697 crashes reported in Orlando in 2020. Of those, 43 were fatal, and 182 involved serious injuries.

Of all six districts in Orlando, three of the leading Orlando roads for crashes include North Semoran Boulevard, Orange Blossom Trail, and Curry Ford Road.

#9. West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County

In 2020, there were 4,517 accidents in West Palm Beach, including 59 serious injuries and 23 fatalities. One of the most common intersections in the city for accidents is Military Trail and Okeechobee Boulevard. In 2018, there were 123 at that intersection, the fifth year in a row that it had more than any intersection in the county.

#10. St. Petersburg, Pinellas

In 2020, there were 7,531 crashes. Of those, 255 serious injuries and 28 fatalities were reported. One of the most dangerous intersections in St. Petersburg is at 66th Street and Tyrone Boulevard.

Injured in a Car Accident in Florida?

Our team at Impact Medical Sun City Center is here for you if you are injured in a car accident anywhere in Florida. Let our compassionate team help you heal and move forward with primary care, chiropractic treatments, manual, and physical therapy.

Contact us to schedule an after-accident check-up with our team today; (813) 938-5195!

What Is “Bikers-Arm” Injury & How Can It Be Treated?

Cruising on the open road in the Florida sunshine can be a lot of fun. But with this fun comes risks. Motorcycles are inherently dangerous because of their two-wheel frame and lack of protection for the rider and their passenger.

“Biker’s arm” is a common injury sustained in motorcycle accidents and can cause lasting pain if not treated properly.

Our accident injury team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills explains what the injury is and how it is treated.

What Is Biker’s Arm?

Biker’s arm, also known as rider’s arm, refers to injuries to the nerves in the upper arm. These injuries occur when a biker either lands on their arm in a crash or the motorcycle lands on their arm. Most commonly this injury is caused when a rider naturally tries to brace for a fall and uses their arms to protect their face.

When this occurs, limited mobility, and in some serious cases, partial or complete paralysis in the arm or hand can be caused by nerve damage.

Generally, a biker’s arm injury involves damage to one of the nerves that branch from the brachial plexus at the base of the neck including the nerves that control movement in the arms, hands, and fingers:

• Median nerve: Provides motor signals to the base of the hand and forearm.
• Radial nerve: Powers the movements of the back of the hand and triceps.
• Ulnar nerve: Provides motor and sensory signals to the fingers.

Symptoms of Biker’s Arm

If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, you might not immediately recognize that you have sustained nerve damage or a biker’s arm injury. It could take weeks for some injuries to manifest.

Some of the most common symptoms of rider’s arm include:

• Unusual tingling through the arm, hand, and fingers
• Lack of feeling in the upper arm or shoulder
• Numbness in your hands, fingers, and arms
• Arm paralysis

If you have been in a motorcycle accident and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should seek medical treatment immediately.

Treating Biker’s Arm

Treatment for the nerve damage caused by biker’s arm can include physical therapy, manual, chiropractic treatment, pain management, and surgery.

Treating nerve damage can be quite complicated, as a result, the outcome of treatment cannot always be predicted. Depending on the extent of the injury, most people should fully recover with treatment.

Preventing Biker’s Arm

Due to the nature of biker’s arm injuries, they can occur in every type of motorcycle accident. It doesn’t matter if the motorcycle crash is caused by rider error, other motorists, or poor road conditions, it is natural for a rider to attempt to reduce injury by using their arms to brace for the fall.

These injuries are common in these situations:

• Severe weather
• Inexperienced riders losing control of their motorcycle
• Riders under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Intersection or left turn accidents
• Motorcycle malfunctions

The best way to prevent biker’s arm is to wear the proper gear on every ride, don’t drink and drive when riding, and make sure that your bike and riding skills are well maintained.

Of course, you can’t avoid all accidents, but you can reduce the chances and minimize the damage that they can cause.

Recovery from Rider’s Arm

When you are suffering from injuries from a motorcycle accident, you must seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Not only is this important for your personal injury protection (PIP) benefits, but it can also help you heal faster.

If you have been in an accident and are experiencing the symptoms of biker’s arm, contact our friendly team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills for an appointment at (813) 706-5156. We’ll help you begin your road to recovery!