Whiplash is one of the most common auto accident injuries. It occurs when the head whips back and forth suddenly, causing trauma to the neck. Unfortunately, it can take days or even weeks for the full effects of whiplash to set in. In Florida, it’s essential to seek treatment within 14 days of an auto accident to use PIP insurance for the medical costs. By waiting to get treated until you feel the effects of whiplash, you may have to pay for the treatment out-of-pocket. 

There are a few reasons why whiplash pain is often delayed, including:

Adrenaline

When you’re in a car accident, your body’s fight-or-flight response is triggered. This response is designed to protect your body against danger. Part of the fight-or-flight response is the release of adrenaline from your adrenal glands. Adrenaline is a hormone that prepares your muscles to act by increasing heart rate, airflow, and the amount of glucose in the blood. (more…)

Back pain is a common issue, and it impacts most people at different stages of their lives. While minor back pain can often be resolved with rest and ice to relieve inflammation, more serious back pain should be evaluated by a specialist. Back pain can be a sign of a more severe medical condition and can eventually become chronic. 

You should schedule an appointment with a specialist, like one of the doctors at Florida Spine & Injury Institute of Lakeland, if: 

Your Pain Goes Beyond The Back. 

Back pain that extends beyond the back and into one or both legs is a sign of a more severe injury. Shooting pain that extends from the back to the leg can indicate a damaged spinal disc. Spinal discs are difficult to heal, so prompt treatment is necessary to minimize the damage. Chiropractic care and other specialized treatments for the spine can relieve pressure on the spinal discs so that the injury doesn’t worsen.  (more…)

It’s common knowledge that cold and heat therapy is recommended to help heal injuries. But, what many people are less sure of is when to use cold therapy and when to use heat therapy. While the answer can differ from case to case, there are guidelines that you can follow to ensure that you’re taking the best possible care of your injury. 

When To Use Cold Compression

Cold compression is usually most effectively used for acute injuries. In the first few days after the injury occurs, cold compression can help reduce inflammation and pain. Ice can also help manage inflammation and pain for chronic injuries. After activities that cause a chronic injury to flare up, using a cold compress can help you manage the injury and prevent it from swelling. 

It’s also important to note that cold compression is only beneficial if you use it properly. Apply the ice for no longer than 20 minutes at once. Place a thin rag or towel in between the compress and your skin to prevent damage to your skin. 

During an auto accident, the spine is particularly vulnerable to injury. The impact of the accident can lead to spinal issues, including whiplash, herniated disc, and even spinal fracture. That said, spinal injury symptoms sometimes don’t appear until days after the auto accident, at which point patients are already behind in receiving treatment. 

See a doctor promptly after an auto accident is essential for the diagnosis of any injuries. Additionally, chiropractic care may be crucial to treat the injury. Here’s why:

Your Chiropractor Can Restore The Alignment of The Spine. 

Chiropractors specialize in the musculoskeletal system and understand how a misalignment of the spine can impact the nerves, muscles, connective tissues, and other bones in your body. An auto accident can bring your spine out of alignment, which puts pressure on other tissues and can cause pain. 

If you’re suffering from persistent back, neck, or sciatic pain, it may be time to try a new treatment approach. Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy is a safe, non-invasive option that can make a sizable improvement in your pain, as well as the overall health of your spine.  

Let’s learn more about spinal decompression therapy, the benefits that it provides, and whether or not it’s right for you. 

What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy?

Available at the Florida Spine & Injury Institute of Lakeland, non-surgical spinal decompression is a non-invasive treatment that can effectively relieve back and sciatic pain, including pain from bulging and herniated discs. 

If you’re experiencing persistent pain relating to the spine, nerves, or joints, you may want to consider chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractic adjustments can make a lasting improvement to your pain by resolving misalignments in the spine that are contributing to the discomfort. Plus, chiropractic adjustments provide a host of other benefits that can improve your overall quality of life.  

What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?

A chiropractic adjustment is a non-invasive procedure, during which the chiropractor uses their hands or a small instrument to administer a controlled force to the joints of the spine. The force is intended to improve the function of the spine and resolve abnormal movement patterns. 

Chiropractic adjustments can be used for numerous concerns relating to the spine and nervous system, including spinal injuries, joint concerns affecting the arms, legs, or shoulders, whiplash, and even migraines or other headaches relating to the neck. 

Do you struggle with lower back pain? This is a common issue among people today, especially those who spend most of the workdays seated at a desk. However, whether due to a sedentary lifestyle, back injury, or chronic condition, lower back pain can affect your ability to get through the day comfortably. 

Here, we’ll provide our top tips on reducing lower back pain. With home remedies and/or help from the experienced team at Florida Spine & Injury Institute of Lakeland, you can achieve relief from lower back pain. 

At-Home Tips for Lower Back Pain

There are strategies that you can use to reduce lower back pain at home. These include:

Rear-end collisions are among the most common auto accidents. Unfortunately, even at low speeds, rear-end collisions often lead to injuries. If you were in a car that was rear-ended, you might experience back pain as a result of the accident.

Here, we’ll discuss how long you can expect to recover from back pain after a rear-end collision. 

Back Injuries After a Rear-End Collision

Multiple back injuries can affect drivers or passengers in cars that have been rear-ended. The most common include:

Electrical muscle stimulation is a therapeutic technique designed to speed the recovery process while providing relief from pain. It can also be used to improve strength and athletic performance. For many patients, electrical muscle stimulation provides many benefits when incorporated into a recovery regimen. 

How Does Electrical Muscle Stimulation Work?

In electrical muscle stimulation treatment, electrodes are positioned on the skin close to the injured area. Through these electrodes, gentle electrical pulses are delivered through the skin to the injured muscles and nerves. These pulses travel through nerve fibers to reduce or fully inhibit the pain signals going to the brain. 

If you’ve sustained an injury that’s moderate or severe, visiting an experienced physician will help you recover ASAP. But when you’re home after visiting a doctor or if the injury is mild, there are strategies that you can use to help speed the healing process on your own. 

You can use the methods listed below to care for an injury at home. Remember that if pain persists or symptoms don’t improve, visit a doctor, such as one of the skilled physicians at the Florida Spine & Injury Institute of Lakeland, for medical care. 

Time-tested and effective, the RICE method of at-home injury care should be your first approach after an injury.