Category: Uncategorized

Can Physical Therapy Help Treat Balance Issues After an Accident?

Car accidents can lead to many injuries and symptoms, and one of the most common is dizziness or loss of balance. While these symptoms can be frightening, they’re entirely treatable. Here’s how physical therapy can help with balance issues after a car accident. 

Balance Problems After a Car Accident

Your body relies on many systems to help maintain balance. The eyes, joints, muscles, nerves, and vestibular organs in the inner ear all contribute to your ability to balance by sending signals to your brain. If any of those parts are impacted by a collision, it’s no surprise that your balance is often affected as a result.

One of the most common causes of balance issues after a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It’s estimated that 30-65% of people with a TBI suffer from balance problems. If you suspect you’re suffering from a TBI after a car accident, some of the common symptoms to look for include:

• Disequilibrium
• Dizziness
• Imbalance
• Lightheadedness
• Vertigo

Keep in mind that balance issues aren’t limited to your brain. If you experience a leg fracture or a spine injury from a car accident, these injuries can also impact your balance in a big way.

Physical Therapy Helps Post-Accident Dizziness and Loss of Balance

If you or a loved one are suffering from post-accident dizziness, imbalance, lightheadedness, or similar symptoms, physical therapy can help. Your physical therapist will prescribe a treatment plan based on your symptoms and their underlying cause. Every injury is different, so the exact treatments depend on the extent of your injury and your limitations. The typical treatment plan includes the following:

• Exercises to improve balance
• Exercises to help your brain correct problems in your inner ears
• Exercises to improve your focus and vision
• Exercises to reduce whiplash symptoms

After a full evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a treatment program that focuses on the muscles that need strengthening. A physical therapy program to restore balance centers on exercises, stretches, and body positioning strategies that improve your flexibility and strengthen your muscles. In some cases, medical devices or props are used. Your physical therapist may even teach you how to fall safely, protecting you from injury as you recover. By following a comprehensive treatment plan, you can regain your balance day by day, eventually leading to a full recovery.

Restore Your Balance Today With Physical Therapy

If you’re suffering from balance problems after a car accident, physical therapy can help. After a comprehensive medical evaluation, the physical therapists at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota can prescribe a customized treatment plan that addresses your underlying issues and limitations. We’re the team you can trust to support your full recovery, so you can regain your balance and get back to life as usual. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free consultation! 

Can a Brain Fully Recover From a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)?

A Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a serious injury, but there are many misconceptions that surround it. Many people who experience a TBI believe they’ll feel the effects of the injury for life. While this is true in some severe cases, most TBI patients can recover from their injury over time. Luckily, the chances of making a full recovery from a TBI are high. Here’s what you need to know about TBI rehabilitation, and how you can improve your chance for a full recovery after suffering this injury.

Is Full Recovery After a TBI Possible?

If you or a loved one are suffering from a TBI, you’re likely wondering if a full recovery is possible. Before explaining how you can maximize your chance of a full recovery, it’s important to dispel a common myth surrounding this injury.

In the past, rehab specialists claimed that recovery from a TBI peaked two years after the injury. Today’s research shows that recovery can continue long after the two-year mark, with improvements occurring even at the 10-year mark for some patients. 

A full recovery from TBI is almost always possible—but it often requires years of dedication, patience, and effort. By taking the right steps to heal from this injury, and being proactive in your rehab, your recovery will be much more successful. 

Recovering From TBI

There are concrete actions you can take to improve your chance of a full recovery from TBI. Take initiative and follow these steps:

• Engage Neuroplasticity. The best way to speed recovery from a TBI is by activating neuroplasticity, the mechanism your brain uses to form new neural pathways and rewire nerve cells. A physical therapy program that emphasizes repetitive actions can activate neuroplasticity and help a TBI patient regain abilities. From rebuilding physical strength and coordination to improving flexibility, physical therapy is critical to your recovery.

• Improve Cognitive Health. Aside from physical therapy, it’s important to seek cognitive therapy to improve the health of your brain after a TBI. Psychological care and cognitive training exercises can improve your mental health and your memory skills. 

• Avoid Maladaptive Plasticity. Maladaptive plasticity refers to the practice of consistently repeating an action the wrong way. For example, if you can’t use your right hand to pick up a pen, you’ll use your left instead. After a TBI, your brain can “forget” how to use your right hand, leading to a condition called learned non-use. Your rehab therapists will help you follow restorative techniques, teaching you how to regain lost function, rather than merely adapting.

You Can Fully Recover From TBI

With the consistent engagement of neuroplasticity, a patient can fully recover from a TBI over time. If you or a loved one have experienced a TBI, following a comprehensive treatment plan gives you the best chance of recovery. The TBI experts at Impact Medical Group of St. Petersburg standing by to help. Call us today at (727) 722-8103 to schedule your free evaluation and begin your journey to a full recovery.

What Do Doctors Check for After An Accident?

After a car accident in Sun City Center, you may decide to visit a doctor due to an injury or troubling symptoms. Do you know what to expect?

Our accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center outlines what you should know about a checkup after an accident including when to see a doctor, what tests they might run, and what the next steps might be. Let’s get started!

The Diagnostic Process

Most visits to a doctor following an accident begin with a discussion of your current symptoms and medical history. This includes a discussion of what happened during the accident as well.

Understanding your concerns and medical condition will help your doctor determine what symptoms or injuries are or aren’t related to the accident. 

The doctor will typically conduct a physical examination during this time, and if they suspect any injuries, you might be asked to perform a few movements to gauge how your body reacts.

To better identify your injuries, your doctor may do several exams and scans. Blood tests, X-rays, CT scans, MRIs, and physical full-body exams are a few of the tests that may be performed.

Common Injuries After an Accident

The following list includes some of the most typical things a doctor will check for during your visit.

External Injuries

Most external injuries are apparent to the eye after an accident and can include:

• Cuts
• Bruises
• Burns
• Road rash

Though these injuries are pretty straightforward to treat, it is important to be upfront with your doctor about the severity of your condition and any pain that you are feeling.

Broken Bones

Broken bones are quite common after an accident, especially if you used an arm or leg to brace against an impact. Small fractures often go unnoticed, which is why your doctor might order X-rays or other imaging to rule out any issues.

Whiplash & Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissues are those that impact your body’s tendons, ligaments, and muscles, and can include tears, bruises, sprains, or strains.

These are quite common in car accidents as the body is forced into unnatural positions quite quickly due to the force of the collision.

One of the most common soft tissue injuries is whiplash which will likely be one of the first things that a doctor looks for if you are suffering from neck pain or headaches after the accident.

Brain Injuries

Any impact to the head may be classified as a TBI. In an accident, this might mean that you hit your head against the interior of the car, but it is also possible that the force of the accident jostled the brain so much that it hit the inside of your skull.

Concussions are common in car crashes and are treated quite easily, but some brain injuries are very serious and may need extensive care and treatment.

Because of this, your auto accident care team may perform cognitive tests to determine if your brain function was impacted by the accident.

Back Injuries

The human spine is susceptible to many injuries during an accident due to its complexity. Herniated discs are a common injury, as the soft gel-like discs that are between the vertebrae of the spine are pushed out of place or ruptured.

Back injuries are not as obvious immediately following an accident, but an experienced doctor or chiropractor will complete a thorough examination of your spine to determine its health and any injuries.

Seek Medical Attention ASAP After a Crash

Although many people move on from a car accident unscathed, it is important to seek medical attention promptly after an accident even if you don’t think you are hurt.

We recommend this because car accident injuries often don’t manifest for a couple of days or sometimes a couple of weeks after an accident.

Remember: Ignoring injuries or postponing treatment might result in symptoms that develop and may be more difficult and expensive to treat. Seek medical treatment ASAP.

Sun City Center After Accident Care

Don’t delay if you have been in an accident in Sun City Center or the surrounding area. Our team of doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists is here to diagnose, treat, and ultimately help you heal from your accident.

Reach out to our clinic in Sun City Center to schedule an appointment today at (813) 938-5195!

Common Waverunner Accident Injuries To Be Aware Of

Have you ever ridden a waverunner or jet ski? If yes, then you know how thrilling it can be. But, riding a waverunner comes with risks that could lead to accidents and injuries. With the increasing number of jet skis on the water, accidents are becoming more common.

If you’ve been injured in a waverunner accident, seeking medical attention is crucial. At Impact Medical Zephyrhills, we specialize in accident care and can provide you with the necessary treatment to get you on the road to recovery.

Our experienced team of doctors and nurses will assess your injuries and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored specifically to your needs.

Let’s dive into some of the most common waverunner injuries.

Common Waverunner Injuries

Whether you’re a seasoned rider or just starting, accidents can happen to anyone. These accidents can leave riders with serious injuries that can impact their lives in various ways. While some injuries are minor and require little medical attention, others can be severe and even life-threatening.

Whiplash

One of the most common accident injuries that we see from jet ski riders is whiplash. This injury happens when the neck is suddenly jolted forward and then backward, causing strain on the muscles in the neck.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain
• Stiffness
• Headaches
• Dizziness

It’s essential to seek medical attention immediately if you experience any symptoms following an accident.

Concussions / Head Injuries

One of the most significant dangers associated with waverunners is the potential for concussions and head injuries.

Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that occurs when the head experiences a sudden impact or jolt. Waverunner accidents can easily cause these types of injuries, particularly if riders are not wearing helmets. The force generated by the collision with another boat or object, combined with the speed at which jet skis travel, can be enough to cause severe head trauma.

Even more concerning is the fact that many people who experience concussions may not realize it at first. This is why it is so important to seek medical care following any kind of accident, even if you feel fine.

Fractures / Broken Bones

Another common injury resulting from waverunner accidents is broken bones or fractures. The forceful impact of a collision can cause bones to break or fracture easily. Broken bones can result in long-term recovery and physical therapy to regain full movement and mobility.

Spine Injuries

Spinal injuries due to jet ski accidents can be severe and life-altering.

One of the most common types of spinal injuries that occur in waverunner accidents is a herniated disk. This happens when the soft cushioning between your vertebrae slips out of place or ruptures. Symptoms may include pain, numbness, or tingling in your back, arms, or legs. Other injuries may include fractures or dislocations of the spine which could lead to paralysis.

Preventing a spinal injury while riding a waverunner requires proper use and safety measures such as wearing appropriate gear like life jackets and helmets.

Contact Burns

Contact burns due to jet ski accidents are a common occurrence and can cause serious injury if not properly treated. Contact burns occur when the skin comes into contact with hot surfaces, such as the engine or exhaust system of a jet ski.

To avoid contact burns from waverunner accidents, it is important to wear proper protective gear such as gloves and long-sleeved shirts. Additionally, it is crucial to stay alert and avoid distractions while operating a jet ski. It’s important for operators to be aware of their surroundings and keep an eye out for any potential obstacles or other vessels in the area.

In case of contact burn injuries due to jet ski accidents, immediate medical attention should be sought.

Cuts / Bruises

Cuts and bruises are also common from collisions with other boats, rocks, or even underwater debris. These types of accidents can cause serious harm if not properly treated.

Drowning

Since you are usually in deep water when using a waverunner or jet ski, it’s important to be aware of the risk of drowning when using a waverunner.

Visit Impact Medical Zephyrhills

A waverunner accident can result in serious pain and discomfort. If you have been involved in an accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately. Impact Medical in Zephyrhills provides high-quality care and services from experienced professionals who can help you get back on your feet quickly.

No matter how serious the injury is, seeking medical attention is the best way to ensure your recovery process goes smoothly.

Don’t wait and take control of your health today by visiting Impact Medical Zephyrhills for help or calling us at (813) 706-5156!