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Promote Accident Healing: 5 Breathwork Techniques for Neck & Low Back Pain

Accidents, whether minor or severe, can leave us grappling with various kinds of discomfort, particularly neck and low back pain. While medical attention is crucial, incorporating breathwork into your healing regime can significantly enhance your recovery process. Breathwork, an ancient practice with modern applications, involves consciously controlling your breathing patterns to influence your mental, emotional, and physical state. Let’s explore effective breathwork techniques specifically tailored to alleviate neck and low back pain stemming from accidents.

How Does Breathwork Help With Pain?

Breathwork is more than just taking deep breaths. It’s a methodical approach to using your breath to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes. When you breathe deeply and intentionally, you encourage relaxation, reduce stress, and increase oxygen flow to your muscles and tissues, promoting healing.

Technique 1: Diaphragmatic Breathing for Core Stability

The diaphragm is a major muscle in respiration, and it plays a key role in stabilizing the lower back. Diaphragmatic breathing not only improves oxygen exchange—it also strengthens your core muscles to better support your lower back.

Here’s how to do it:

• Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
• Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen.
• Inhale slowly through your nose, feeling your stomach rise against your hand.
• Exhale gently, allowing the stomach to fall.
• Repeat for 3-5 minutes, focusing on keeping the hand on your chest still.

Technique 2: Lengthened Exhale for Relaxation

A prolonged exhale activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s ‘rest and digest’ response. This technique is especially beneficial for alleviating tension in the neck and shoulders.

Here’s how to do it:

• Sit comfortably with your back straight.
• Inhale deeply for a count of four.
• Exhale slowly for a count of six to eight.
• Repeat for several minutes, focusing on releasing tension with each exhale.

Technique 3: Alternate Nostril Breathing for Balance

Alternate nostril breathing, a common yoga technique, helps to balance the body and mind, reduce stress, and improve spinal alignment—crucial for neck and back pain relief.

Here’s how to do it:

• Sit in a comfortable position with your back straight.
• Place your right thumb over your right nostril and inhale deeply through your left nostril.
• Close your left nostril with your fingers and exhale through the right nostril.
• Inhale through the right nostril, then close it and exhale through the left.
• Continue this pattern for 3-5 minutes.

Technique 4: Visualization Breath for Healing

Visualization combined with breathwork can be a powerful tool for healing. By visualizing the breath as a healing energy, you can direct it towards areas of pain to promote relaxation and recovery.

Here’s how to do it:

• With your eyes closed, focus on the area of pain.
• As you inhale, imagine a healing light or energy entering your body and moving toward the painful area.
• As you exhale, visualize the pain and tension leaving your body.
• Repeat for several minutes, maintaining a focus on healing and relaxation.

Technique 5: 4-7-8 Breathing for Pain Management

The 4-7-8 technique is a simple yet effective method for managing pain and anxiety. It’s particularly useful for sudden spikes in pain.

Here’s how to do it:

• Inhale quietly through your nose for a count of four.
• Hold your breath for a count of seven.
• Exhale completely through your mouth for a count of eight.
• Repeat the cycle three more times.

Lasting Pain Relief Is Just a Phone Call Away

Incorporating these breathwork techniques into your daily routine can significantly enhance your healing process post-accident. Breathwork, when combined with proper medical care, can be a powerful ally in your journey towards recovery and well-being.

Struggling with persistent neck or low back pain after an accident? At Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg, we understand how debilitating pain can be. Our dedicated team provides comprehensive pain relief solutions tailored to your unique needs. We offer a range of services designed to alleviate your pain and restore your quality of life. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 and start your journey toward a pain-free life.

How To Best Check For Internal Injuries After An Auto Accident

The sad truth is that many people do not seek treatment after an accident. This is often due to “feeling fine.” But the reality is that they could have internal injuries that have not manifested symptoms yet.

This can be deadly as internal injuries don’t often present obvious symptoms that warn victims that they are in trouble. That is why our team at Impact Medical Sun City Center is here to offer tips on our tried and true ways that those involved in accidents can use as a guide to check for these internal injuries.

Types of Internal Injuries from Car Accidents

Accidents can be traumatic for all those involved. Occupants might be slammed against a window, the windshield, the dashboard, or the steering wheel. And that doesn’t include the impact of the airbags when they are deployed or injuries caused by seat belts.

Some of the most common internal injuries sustained in car accidents include:

• Broken ribs
• Collapsed lung (Pneumothorax)
• Organ damage
• Ruptured spleen
• Abdominal aorta rupture
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Internal bleeding

Internal Injuries: The Dangers

To adequately diagnose internal injuries, everyone involved in an accident will need a medical examination performed by a doctor. This examination will often include X-rays, CT scans, or angiography to examine tissues, bones, and blood vessels.

If you were to go to an Emergency Room following an accident, they often begin with an “EFAST” assessment, or “Extended Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma.” This test uses ultrasound technology to look for any fluid accumulation or internal bleeding.

Internal injuries to organs such as the liver, pancreas, gallbladder, or spleen do not produce the same symptoms that injuries to bones, muscles, or skin do. Don’t let that fool you though, they can be deadly and can cause hemorrhagic bleeding and extreme swelling and inflammation.

In light of this, let’s take a look at a list of the symptoms to look out for after a car accident.

Symptoms To Check For

While difficult to diagnose on your own, there are several symptoms you can look out for that could mean that you have an internal injury. They include:

Pain

Check for abdominal or chest pain or any tenderness. If you have any pain in your chest, stomach, or groin, you should seek medical attention, even if the pain is not severe.

Remember, the symptoms of internal injuries can be minor at first but often worsen over time.

Nausea

Nausea and dizziness are common symptoms after car accidents due to blood loss. Vomiting may also occur in victims who are suffering from internal injuries.

Note: Vomiting is a sure sign that something is wrong, especially if you notice blood in the vomit.

Bruising

Bruising, though often an outward sign of injury, can also be caused by internal injuries. If you notice patches of dark purple skin, this is an indication that you are bleeding into your skin and other soft tissues which is much more serious than a simple contusion.

Shock

If you are bleeding internally due to an accident, you may go into shock. Symptoms of shock include rapid heart rate, weakness, lightheadedness, and lethargy.

Blood in Stool or Urine

If you notice any blood when you use the bathroom, you should seek medical care immediately. Don’t assume that it will go away. It could be a sign of an injury or problem in your kidneys, bowels, or elsewhere in the body.

Seek Medical Treatment Today

If you have been in a car accident and are noticing any of the above symptoms, it is time to visit a doctor to diagnose your injuries. Do not wait. Treating any internal injuries quickly is imperative to your recovery.

Contact our skilled accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center at (813) 938-5195 for a thorough examination after an accident. We will ensure every injury or symptom is taken care of promptly.

Can Minor Car Accidents Still Cause Trauma?

Have you ever shrugged off a minor fender bender, thinking it couldn’t possibly cause any real harm? You’re not alone. Many people assume that only major accidents result in significant injuries, but our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills knows the truth.

While the impact of a minor collision may seem insignificant, the reality is that even seemingly harmless accidents can lead to unseen injuries with long-lasting effects.

Let’s explore why.

What Kinds of Injuries Are Caused By Minor Car Accidents?

Minor car accidents may give the impression of causing negligible harm, but they can result in several types of injuries including the following:

Whiplash

Whiplash is a common consequence, caused by the sudden jolting motion of the head and neck upon impact. This can lead to muscle strain and soft tissue damage, resulting in pain and limited mobility.

Concussions

Minor car accidents can cause concussions or other head injuries, even if there is no visible damage to the vehicle. The rapid deceleration and impact can cause the brain to strike inside the skull, resulting in potential long-term cognitive impairments.

Back Injuries

Minor car accidents can also lead to back injuries such as herniated discs or spinal cord damage. Even low-impact collisions have the potential to jolt or compress the spine, leading to chronic pain and reduced functionality. These types of injuries may not always be immediately apparent after a minor accident but can manifest days or weeks later.

Those involved in such incidents need to seek immediate medical attention to assess any potential underlying injuries.

Psychological Trauma Caused By Minor Accidents

While physical injuries are common in car accidents, the psychological impact of even a minor accident can also be profound. The sudden shock and fear experienced during an accident, even a seemingly small one, can trigger a fight or flight response in the body, increasing stress hormones like cortisol.

This acute stress response can manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and difficulty sleeping, indicating that even seemingly minor accidents have the potential to leave lasting emotional scars.

Even small accidents can result in long-lasting trauma and psychological distress, such as:

• Mood fluctuations that result in feelings of guilt, annoyance, and rage

• Excessive levels of persistent worry and anxiety

• Inability to fall asleep, including insomnia and nightmares

• New phobias and fears, like a fear of being in or driving a car

• Feelings of vulnerability and loss of control that may exacerbate existing mental health conditions or contribute to developing new ones.

Further, exposure to traumatic events such as accidents puts individuals at risk for developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can significantly impact daily functioning and quality of life.

Remember, it is important for individuals who have experienced any type of accident, however small, to seek help from mental health professionals to address any lingering psychological effects.

The Next Step: Injury Trauma Counseling

Seeking injury trauma counseling can be a crucial step in reclaiming control over your life and well-being. Addressing the impacts of physical or emotional trauma requires professional support, and counseling provides a safe space to explore and process these experiences. By seeking help, you are actively taking charge of your healing journey and gaining the tools to navigate through the challenges caused by injury trauma.

At our accident care clinic we:

• Employ a group of skilled Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, Licensed Mental Health Counselors, and Social Workers who offer expertise, counseling, and psychotherapy to individuals experiencing emotional and mental trauma following an accident.

• Deliver the best possible care that is customized for each victim by utilizing evidence-based treatment techniques such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Supportive Talk Therapy, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, and more.

• Assist the patient in receiving counseling to overcome any anxiety they may have about having surgery.

• Can recommend drugs, such as antidepressants, to help patients feel at ease and reduce anxiety.

• Provide effective patient care via telehealth visits, regardless of the patient’s location in Florida.

Contact Impact Medical Zephyrhills

Impact Medical Zephyrhills is dedicated to providing comprehensive support and care for individuals who have experienced major and minor accidents. Our team understands the impact of these incidents on physical and mental well-being, and we are committed to standing by your side throughout the recovery process.

With our expertise and personalized approach, we strive to ensure that every individual receives the attention and treatment they need to regain their health and vitality.

Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance and guidance during this challenging time. Contact Impact Medical Zephyrhills today at (813) 706-5156 to schedule an appointment.

Chiropractic Adjustments vs. Spinal Manipulation

When it comes to treating back pain, neck pain, and other musculoskeletal issues, two terms often come up: chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation. While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, they have distinct aspects worth understanding. Let’s dive into what each process involves, their uses, and how they overlap.

Chiropractic Adjustments: Precision and Holistic Approach

Chiropractic adjustments are specific treatments offered by chiropractors. These professionals are trained to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal disorders, particularly those involving the spine. Chiropractic adjustments involve applying controlled force to a spinal joint using hands or a special instrument. The goal is to improve spinal motion and overall physical function.

What’s Involved?

• Targeted Approach: Chiropractic adjustments focus on specific joints that show abnormal movement patterns or fail to function normally.
• Holistic Evaluation: Chiropractors typically conduct a comprehensive evaluation, which may include X-rays, physical examination, and a review of medical history.
• Techniques: Techniques vary, including the diversified technique (quick and shallow thrusts), Gonstead adjustment (precision alignment), and others.

Chiropractic adjustments are often used for:

• Pain Relief: Particularly for back pain, neck pain, and headaches.
• Improved Mobility: Enhancing joint function and movement.
• Overall Wellness: Chiropractic care often includes lifestyle and nutritional advice for holistic well-being.

Spinal Manipulation: A Broad and Diverse Approach

Spinal manipulation, also known as manual therapy or manipulative therapy, is a technique used by various healthcare professionals, including osteopaths, physical therapists, and sometimes chiropractors. It involves applying pressure on muscles and joints to increase range of motion and decrease pain.

What’s Involved?

• Broad Techniques: Spinal manipulation encompasses a range of techniques, not limited to the spine.
• Varied Practitioners: Different practitioners bring diverse approaches based on their discipline’s focus and philosophy.
• General Application: The techniques are generally more varied and can be less specific than chiropractic adjustments.

Spinal manipulation is often used for:

• Pain Management: Common for back and neck pain.
• Flexibility: Aids in increasing mobility and flexibility in muscles and joints.
• Rehabilitation: Often part of a broader rehabilitation program.

While chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation share some commonalities, like aiming to alleviate pain and improve function, their approach and application can differ. Chiropractic adjustments are more specific and often part of a holistic treatment plan by a chiropractor. Spinal manipulation covers a broader range of techniques used by various healthcare providers.

Get the Care You Need for a Pain-Free Life at Impact Medical Group of Tampa

Knowing the differences and similarities between chiropractic adjustments and spinal manipulation is key to choosing the right treatment for your needs. At Impact Medical Group of Clearwater, we specialize in providing personalized chiropractic care tailored to each patient’s unique needs. Our experienced chiropractors are dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or seeking to improve your overall health, our team is here to assist you. Call us at (727) 292-0200 to schedule your free medical evaluation and take the first step toward a pain-free life.