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Should I See a Chiropractor For A Herniated Disc? Yes, Here’s Why

Herniated discs are a common car accident injury that can leave you in severe pain and impacted mobility. If you are dealing with pain from a herniated or bulging disc, you might be wondering how to get the pain to stop.

Not to worry! That’s what our team here at Impact Medical Zephyrhills is here for. We explain how a herniated disc happens and how our chiropractic team can help you heal. Ready? Let’s get started!

What Exactly is a Herniated Disc?

A herniated disc is a relatively common medical condition that affects the spine. It occurs when the soft cushion-like discs between the vertebrae, which provide support and flexibility to the spine, bulge out or rupture. This puts pressure on the surrounding nerves and can result in pain, numbness, tingling sensations, or weakness in one or both legs.

Treatment options for a herniated disc depend on its severity and location but may include rest, physical therapy, medication, or surgery in more severe cases.

Symptoms of Herniated Discs

Herniated discs can cause intense pain, numbness, tingling sensations, and weakness in various parts of the body. The symptoms experienced by a person with a herniated disc may vary depending on which part of the spine is affected.

However, some common symptoms include:

• Sharp pains in one side or both sides of your lower back, buttocks, or legs that intensify during physical activities like bending over or lifting heavy objects.

• Muscle weakness accompanied by difficulty standing up straight or walking. This can be due to nerve compression causing reduced signals from your brain to your muscles. A person experiencing this symptom may also find it challenging to lift their foot while walking and drag it instead.

What About Chiropractic Care?

Does chiropractic care help with herniated discs? The answer is yes! Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment option for herniated discs.

To treat herniated discs, chiropractors use a variety of techniques including:

• Spinal adjustments: involve the use of controlled force to realign the spine and improve its function.
• Spinal decompression therapy: involves stretching the spine using a special table or device to relieve pressure on the affected disc
• Soft tissue manipulation: involves massaging or stretching the muscles around the affected disc.

Through these techniques and others, chiropractors can reduce inflammation and alleviate pressure on the affected disc, which can help to relieve pain and improve the range of motion.

Can I Exercise After Treatment for a Herniated Disc?

Once you undergo treatment for a herniated disc, you may wonder whether it is safe to exercise or not. The answer is yes but with some limitations and precautions. It is crucial to remember that each case of a herniated disc is unique, and therefore, it’s important to seek advice from your doctor before engaging in any physical activity.

One thing to note is that not all exercises are created equal when it comes to a herniated disc. You should avoid high-impact activities such as running or jumping, as they can put stress on your spine and exacerbate the problem. Instead, opt for low-impact exercises such as walking or swimming that won’t cause further harm but will still help keep you active.

Another essential factor to consider is proper form during exercise. Proper posture and alignment are key elements in avoiding additional injury.

When in doubt, ask your physical therapist or chiropractor for tips on how to ease back into exercise after completing your treatment plan.

Move Forward from a Herniated Disc

Dealing with a herniated disc can be debilitating and painful. However, our compassionate chiropractic team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills can help you move forward and manage your symptoms. Our comprehensive approach includes personalized treatment plans and ongoing support to help you achieve optimal health and wellness.

Don’t let a herniated disc hold you back from living your best life. Contact us today at (813) 706-5156 to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward a pain-free future.

Can A Car Accident Cause a Frozen Shoulder?

Numerous injuries can be sustained in a car accident, ranging from small scrapes and bruises to more serious ailments including fractured bones or brain trauma. One lesser-known injury that can occur after a car accident is a frozen shoulder.

At Impact Medical Zephyrhills, our experienced accident care team understands the complexities of car accident injuries and their potential long-term effects on your health. In this guide, we will explore the connection between car accidents and frozen shoulders.

What is a Frozen Shoulder?

Frozen shoulder occurs when the connective tissues surrounding the joint become thick and stiff, causing pain, and limiting movement. While it can occur for various reasons, including underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or thyroid disorders, one of the most common causes is injury.

Car accidents can be a major cause of shoulder injuries that lead to frozen shoulders. The impact of a collision can result in trauma to the joint and surrounding tissues, leading to inflammation and stiffness over time.

How an Accident Causes Frozen Shoulder

The mechanism behind how a car accident causes frozen shoulder is not fully understood, but there are several theories.

• One possibility is that the impact of the crash causes damage to the soft tissues surrounding the shoulder joint, leading to inflammation and subsequent scarring.

• Another theory suggests that whiplash, which often occurs during car accidents, may be responsible for frozen shoulder by causing trauma to the neck and upper back muscles that connect to the shoulder blade.

Symptoms of a Frozen Shoulder

The symptoms of a frozen shoulder can vary in severity but usually include pain and stiffness in the affected arm. Initially, the pain may be mild but gradually become more severe over time.

You may also have trouble moving your arm or reaching behind your back without discomfort. In some cases, the affected arm may feel weak or numb due to nerve compression caused by inflammation around the joint.

It’s important to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you suspect you have a frozen shoulder after a car accident injury as you can lose mobility in your arm if left untreated over time.

The Three Stages of a Frozen Shoulder

Usually, frozen shoulder develops progressively over three stages.

• Freezing Stage: The shoulder hurts with every motion, and its range of motion is constrained. This stage can last for 2 to 9 months.

• Frozen Stage: During this phase, pain might lessen. The shoulder, though, stiffens up. It becomes more challenging to use. This stage can last for 4 to 12 months.

• Thawing Stage: The shoulder starts to move more easily. This phase lasts for five to twenty-four months.

Treating a Frozen Shoulder

Frozen shoulders are characterized by pain and stiffness in the shoulder joint, making it difficult to move the arm. This condition can be debilitating and affect one’s daily activities, such as driving or lifting objects.

If left untreated, a frozen shoulder can worsen over time and lead to permanent loss of mobility. However, with proper diagnosis and treatment, individuals with this injury can regain full range of motion in their shoulder joint.

Chiropractic Care

While there is no definitive cure for frozen shoulder, chiropractic care has been shown to be an effective treatment option for some patients.

Chiropractors use various techniques to manipulate the joints and soft tissues around the affected area. This can help improve range of motion and reduce inflammation in the joint capsule. Additionally, chiropractors may recommend exercise or physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles and prevent future injuries.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy is a non-invasive treatment option that is often recommended for individuals with frozen shoulder.

Physical therapy can help improve range of motion and reduce pain associated with the condition. Exercise, manual treatment, and modalities like heat or cold are just a few of the strategies physical therapists employ to speed up healing.

• Strengthening exercises are particularly important because they help improve strength in the muscles surrounding the shoulder joint which can alleviate stress on the joint itself.

• Manual therapy techniques may include soft tissue mobilization or joint mobilization to stretch and loosen tight tissues around the affected area.

Say Goodbye to Frozen Shoulder Pain

Frozen shoulder pain can be a debilitating and frustrating condition to deal with. However, with the right treatment and care from our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills, we can help you gain mobility and live pain-free.

Don’t let frozen shoulder pain hold you back any longer – schedule an appointment with us by calling (813) 706-5156 today and take the first step towards relief.

Can I Get a Traumatic Brain Injury From a Bike Accident?

Whether you bike for pleasure, competition, carbon-free transportation, or for any other reason, you know that biking’s an activity that carries some risk. While it’s easy to imagine scrapes and bruises on arms or legs—or even broken bones—did you know that the brain is highly vulnerable, too? If you’re wondering whether you can get a traumatic brain injury (TBI) from a bike accident, the answer might surprise you. Read on to learn more.

TBIs From Bike Accidents Are Common

Unfortunately, you can get a TBI if you’re involved in a bike accident. In fact, the American Association of Neurological Surgeons reports that bike accidents are the leading cause of sports-related TBIs in the U.S.

Bicycle accidents can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) due to the lack of protection that the cyclist has compared to people in cars. When a collision occurs, the cyclist’s head may hit the pavement or the side of the vehicle, causing the brain to bounce and twist inside the skull. This can lead to damage to the brain tissue, resulting in a TBI.

Even if you’re wearing a helmet, it may not provide enough protection for your brain in certain types of accidents—especially severe ones and those involving high speeds. TBIs can range from mild to severe, but all require prompt medical attention.

Recovering from a Bike Accident-Related TBI

Recovering from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a bicycle accident can be a challenging journey, but taking the right steps can greatly impact the healing process. While every person’s recovery journey is different, partnering with medical providers who are TBI specialists can help you through the journey. Recovery often includes:

• It’s important to visit a doctor immediately after a bicycle injury. You need to have a medical professional assess your injuries and determine the severity of your TBI. The doctor may order scans like X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to see the extent of the damage.

• The second step is rest and relaxation. It is crucial to give your body time to heal and recover. Resting, sleeping, and avoiding strenuous physical activities for a while can help speed up the healing process.

• Rehabilitation comes next, and it can take many forms. From physical therapy to occupational therapy, speech therapy to psychological counseling, there are many treatments available for your unique situation. Whether you need help with communication, dealing with the trauma of the injury, or anything else, your medical team is there to support you.

• Recovering from a TBI can be a lonely experience. It’s helpful to have a support system to depend on during this time. Family, friends, support groups, and therapists can all be helpful for emotional and mental support. They can encourage and motivate you during your recovery journey.

Heal From a TBI With the Help of Impact Medical Group

Remember that bikers who don’t wear helmets or take proper safety precautions put themselves at risk for serious head injuries in the event of a fall or collision. As you hit the open road on your bike this season, be sure to prioritize the safety of your entire body, including your most vital organ: your brain. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and you suspect TBI, don’t wait to reach out to the caring medical team at Impact Medical Group of Brandon. Call us today at (813) 522-8885 to schedule your free medical evaluation.

Is Manual Soft Tissue Therapy the Same As Manual Therapy?

It’s not uncommon to assume that manual soft tissue therapy and manual therapy are one and the same. After all, they both involve physical manipulation of the body’s soft tissues, right? While the confusion is understandable, these two treatments are quite different. Read on to learn about the important differences between manual soft tissue therapy and manual therapy.

Manual Soft Tissue Therapy

Manual soft tissue therapy involves hands-on techniques that are used to manipulate the body’s soft tissues, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These techniques are designed to help alleviate pain and improve range of motion and flexibility.

Some common techniques used in manual soft tissue therapy include deep tissue manual, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release. These techniques can help to reduce muscle tension and inflammation, increase blood flow, and promote the healing process.

Manual soft tissue therapy can be especially helpful for individuals with injuries, chronic pain, or limited range of motion. By targeting specific areas of the body, these techniques can help to release tension and restore optimal function to the soft tissues.

You’re a good candidate for manual soft tissue therapy if:

• You’re experiencing muscle tightness and pain from chronic stress, an injury, poor posture, etc.
• You’re an athlete looking to prevent injury and improve muscle function.
• You’re living with chronic conditions like fibromyalgia and arthritis and need pain relief.

Manual Therapy

Manual therapy is a method of treatment that has been used for centuries to reduce chronic pain, enhance circulation and increase flexibility. Whether you’re recovering from an injury or dealing with long-term chronic pain and limited mobility, manual therapy can be an effective holistic approach to relieving your discomfort.

During a manual session, your therapist will use a variety of techniques, including deep tissue manual, trigger point therapy, and myofascial release, to promote healing and relaxation. These techniques work by releasing tight muscles, removing scar tissue, increasing circulation, and reducing inflammation. With a knowledgeable therapist and consistent sessions, manual therapy can be an excellent option for those looking for a natural, non-invasive way to regain their mobility and lessen their pain.

While everyone is a good candidate for manual therapy—after all, it provides significant relaxation and pain-relieving benefits—it’s a valuable tool for anyone recovering from an injury.

Whether You’re Healing From an Injury or Dealing With Chronic Pain, the Medical Team at Impact Medical Group Can Help

Both manual soft tissue therapy and manual therapy have their unique benefits and can be highly effective in promoting overall well-being. Understanding the differences between the two can help you better choose the right treatment for your individual needs—in some cases, a combination of both may work best. Start your recovery journey at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota. We offer manual soft tissue therapy, manual therapy, and other healing techniques that can relieve your pain, improve your mobility, and help you heal. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free medical evaluation.