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I Went to the Hospital After a Crash, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?

A car accident can turn your life upside down in a split second. Once the immediate dangers have passed, you’re often left with a laundry list of medical professionals suggesting various treatments and paths to recovery. Among these, you might find yourself wondering if a chiropractor has a place in your healing process. If you’ve asked yourself “Do I need chiropractic care after a car accident,” keep reading to learn what you should know.

The Injury You Don’t Always Feel: Whiplash

Despite the modern safety features of vehicles, the force from a car crash can still cause unexpected injuries. One of the most common, and sneakiest, is whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the head is suddenly forced backward and then forward, putting the cervical spine through an extremely fast and intense range of motion. Whiplash can cause severe, and often delayed, pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, and upper back, sometimes accompanied by headaches or dizziness.

The insidious nature of whiplash is that it may not manifest symptoms immediately, leading accident survivors to forgo or delay treatment—that’s why early intervention is so important. Seeking chiropractic care can help manage the pain, improve range of motion, and expedite the healing process, preventing long-term discomfort.

Why Chiropractic Care Is Crucial Post-Accident

After visiting the hospital, many patients are left with pain medications and a general ‘wait-and-see’ approach. Chiropractic care offers a more proactive and comprehensive treatment plan.

Unlike medication that merely masks symptoms, a chiropractor will approach your injuries from a rehabilitative perspective. They lean towards holistic management, focusing on the body’s inherent ability to heal itself. Through spinal adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and specialized exercises, they aim to not only alleviate symptoms but also restore the body’s proper alignment and function.

Chiropractors are uniquely positioned to diagnose and treat the root causes of musculoskeletal injuries, which are often prominent in post-accident cases. Their expertise in spinal health is particularly relevant to the type of trauma the body experiences during a crash. By engaging in regular chiropractic sessions, accident survivors can not only expect relief from their immediate discomfort but also a tailored plan to strengthen and stabilize the affected areas, reducing the likelihood of chronic pain.

Making Chiropractic Care Part of Your Recovery Plan

The decision to seek chiropractic care should not replace traditional medical care or any urgent medical intervention necessary after a car accident. Instead, it’s about adding another layer to your comprehensive recovery plan. Your chiropractor can work in tandem with other healthcare providers, ensuring a unified approach to your well-being.

If you are considering whether chiropractic care is needed post-accident, consider the potential benefits and consult with the caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Port Richey. Our experts are here to support you through this challenging time. Our compassionate chiropractors are experienced in handling post-accident cases and are ready to devise a care plan tailored to your individual needs. Reach out today at (727) 848-3377 to schedule your free medical evaluation and start your journey toward complete healing.

Key Indicators of Sciatica Pain After an Accident & How to Treat It

Have you ever stopped in your tracks because of a sharp, shooting pain in your lower back, wondering if it’s something more serious? You might be dealing with sciatica, a condition that doesn’t just bring discomfort but can profoundly disrupt your daily life. Recognizing the signs of sciatica early on is crucial, especially if you’ve recently experienced a vehicular accident or physical trauma that might have triggered it.

Here’s a closer look at the key sciatica indicators you shouldn’t ignore and the treatment options that can guide you back to comfort.

Signs of Sciatica You Shouldn’t Ignore

The journey to managing sciatica starts with recognizing its hallmark signs. Sciatica isn’t just any lower back pain—it’s a distinct and sharp pain that can extend down your leg, signaling a deeper issue, especially for those who have recently been through vehicular accidents or physical trauma. Keep an eye out for:

• Radiating Pain: Often described as a sharp, shooting pain that starts in the lower back and may travel down the leg, following the path of the sciatic nerve.
• Numbness and Tingling: Beyond pain, you might experience numbness, a feeling of weakness, or tingling that can affect your lower back, buttocks, and legs.
• Pain that Worsens with Activity: If your pain escalates after sitting or standing for extended periods, it’s a clear indicator of sciatica complicating your daily activities.
• Mobility Issues: When pain or stiffness in the affected leg or side makes basic movements like walking or climbing stairs challenging, it’s time to take action.

Treatment Options for Sciatica

Upon identifying the signs of sciatica, the next step is to explore treatment options. There’s a silver lining in the variety of approaches available:

• Non-Invasive Strategies: Starting with rest and over-the-counter pain relief is a good initial step. Engaging in physical therapy or seeking chiropractic care can significantly help. Both physical therapists and chiropractors can provide specialized treatment plans that focus on reducing pain and improving function without immediate surgery or medication.
• Physical Therapy: This involves tailored exercises and stretches designed to strengthen the muscles supporting your spine and improve your flexibility, thereby alleviating sciatica symptoms.
• Chiropractic Care: Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to address the mechanical and neurological aspects of sciatica. These adjustments aim to reduce nerve irritability and inflammation, promoting natural healing.
• Direct Interventions: For persistent or worsening pain, medical procedures like epidural steroid injections or nerve blocks might be necessary. These treatments target the root cause of pain for more immediate relief.
• Surgical Options: In cases where conservative treatments haven’t provided the desired relief, and the pain significantly hampers daily life, surgical interventions such as discectomy or laminectomy may be considered.

Discover Your Path to a Pain-Free Life at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota

If you’re dealing with sciatica, deciding on the best path to relief can be a complex process. But here’s the good news: at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota, we’re committed to offering a comprehensive range of treatment options tailored to your unique needs. From direct interventions to chiropractic care and physical therapy, we offer hope for people with sciatica, treating your overall spine health rather than symptoms. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 and let us help you reclaim your health and vitality.

Medial Branch Blocks vs. Facet Joint Injections for Accident Pain

Medial branch blocks and facet joint injections are two common procedures interventional pain management doctors use to help their patients manage pain from auto accidents.

But while these treatments share the same goal of pain relief, they are very different when it comes to the areas they target and the intended outcomes. It can get confusing, which is why our team at Impact Medical Sun City Center offers our insights into the differences between the two. Let’s get into it.

Medial Branch Blocks Vs. Facet Joint Injections

First, let’s go over what each of these treatments are.

Medial branch blocks: A local anesthetic is injected near the medial branch nerves that transmit pain signals from facet joints. This procedure is generally used to diagnose and treat pain that comes from the facet joints in the spine.

Facet joint injections: A combination of steroid medications and local anesthetic are injected into the facet joint that is believed to be the source of pain.

Ultimately, both procedures can alleviate pain and improve a patient’s range of motion after an accident, but as you can see, they have different functions.

Facet Joint Injections: The Procedure

At Impact Medical Sun City Center, we offer facet joint injections to help patients recover after an accident.

The first step when a patient comes in for this procedure is a blood pressure check. Usually, the procedure will be done with the patient lying on their stomach, and the injection will be administered by fluoroscopic x-ray.

The skin will be cleaned with antiseptic, and the area where the facet joint injection will be injected will be numbed with local anesthetic. Using the x-ray for guidance, our interventional pain doctor will insert needles into the appropriate facet joint locations.

The local anesthetic and steroid will be injected after the needles are inserted, and then the needles will be taken out.

Are There Any Risks to Facet Injections?

As with any medical procedure, there are a few risks to be aware of. Bleeding, infection, allergic reactions, and nerve injuries can occur, though they are very rare.

Short-term side effects such as numbness or weakness from the local anesthetic can last for several hours, and there may be increased localized pain in the facet joints for a few days after the procedure.

Will Pain Relief Be Instant?

Your pain may be improved immediately after the injection due to the local anesthetic. The steroid that is included in facet injections can take two to three days to take effect and often peaks in about two weeks.

Patients may feel tender for a few days after the facet joint injection.

How Long Do Injections Last?

Facet joint injections often offer relief for three months or longer and can be repeated up to three times a year.

Remember, facet joint injections offer short-term pain relief, and do not offer a “cure” to pain, but rather allow patients to avoid invasive surgeries.

Who Are Facet Joint Injections Best For?

We recommend facet joint injections for pain that is caused by inflammation due to injury, arthritis, or chronic conditions. 

The best thing about facet joint injections is that they are less invasive than other treatment options and can effectively treat inflammation which often is the cause of chronic pain after car accidents.

Read More > Is Interventional Pain Management as Effective as Surgery?

Visit Impact Medical Sun City Center

As you can see, both medical branch blocks and facet joint injections can be effective methods to treat and manage pain after a car crash. At Impact Medical Sun City Center, we offer facet joint injections that will address inflammation in the joints, offering optimal pain relief and enhanced recovery.

Don’t wait to seek treatment. Schedule a consultation with our interventional pain management doctor, Dr. Gruber, today at (813) 938-5195.

Is a Chiropractor a Qualified Injury Doctor? Yes, Here’s How

Finding the right medical professional after an injury can seem confusing. With the multitude of fields and specialties in the healthcare industry, patients are often left with plenty of questions. One common question that arises is, ‘Is a chiropractor a qualified injury doctor?’ The short answer is yes—and in this detailed look at chiropractic care, we’ll explore the robust qualifications that make chiropractors an excellent choice for injury recovery.

The Credentials of a Chiropractor

Understanding the credentials behind chiropractic care helps establish the profession’s firm foundation in treating injuries. Chiropractors must complete extensive and specific training, much of which parallels that of traditional medical doctors.

• Educational Background. A chiropractor’s education starts with three to four years of undergraduate studies, followed by a rigorous four-year Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) program. A chiropractor’s education includes a comprehensive review of human anatomy and physiology, diagnostic procedures, chiropractic techniques, biomechanics, and the philosophy of patient care.
• Licensing and Certifications. Upon completion of their education, aspiring chiropractors must then pass national board examinations, granting them the license to practice. Additionally, many chiropractors pursue specialized certifications in areas such as sports chiropractic or rehabilitation, further enhancing their ability to treat a range of injuries.
• Expertise in Assessing and Treating Injuries. Chiropractic expertise extends to a deep understanding of musculoskeletal injuries. Chiropractors are skilled at identifying the root cause of pain and designing treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique injury. Through a combination of spinal adjustments, rehabilitative exercises, and lifestyle counseling, they can help patients recover from a variety of injuries.

The Unique Approach and Benefits of Chiropractic Care

The unique approach that chiropractors take to treating injuries is undoubtedly one of their greatest assets. By focusing on the body as a whole, they provide personalized care that not only addresses the injury but also enhances overall well-being.

• Patient-Centered Care. In chiropractic practices, the patient is at the center of the treatment plan. Chiropractors work with patients to set realistic goals, address fears or anxieties related to their injury, and empower them to take an active role in their recovery.
• Preventative Measures. Chiropractors don’t just treat current injuries—they also provide guidance on preventing future ones. By teaching patients proper body mechanics, ergonomics, and exercise techniques, they help reduce the risk of recurring injuries.

Embrace Your Path to Healing With Chiropractic Care

Ultimately, the question ‘Is a chiropractor a qualified injury doctor?’ is grounded in the undeniable expertise and focus that chiropractors bring to their practice. If you’re looking for a path to recovery from an injury that’s tailored, holistic, and patient-centered, chiropractic care may be the right choice. Ready to experience the difference that personalized injury treatment can make? Reach out at (813) 283-1910 and schedule your free medical evaluation at Impact Medical Group of Tampa today to learn how chiropractic care can enhance your life.