By Julie Bowen
If
you have been injured in an Albuquerque
car wreck or some other accident, you know that you need
to seek immediate medical attention at the Emergency Room and follow-up care
from your primary care doctor. Chiropractors have an important role to play as
part of the health care team treating accident victims as well. They can help
to evaluate the full extent of your injuries from the accident, and provide
treatment to mitigate worsening of symptoms.
Whiplash Injuries from Car Accidents
Chiropractors
can treat injuries from car accidents, commonly known as whiplash, which is
caused during a rear-impact collision. The impact from the collision can result
in a number of health problems, including:
Loss
of resiliency in the spine or limbs
herniated discs
difficulty with movement
chronic pain
difficulty concentrating
Chiropractic Consultation
During
a consultation, the chiropractor will meet with you to discuss your injuries,
get a description of your symptoms and take a case history. Be prepared to
discuss any other treatments you have undergone with your family doctor and
other specialists during this part of the visit. Don't hesitate to mention the
emotional symptoms you are dealing with following the accident to the
chiropractor, such as difficulty concentrating, irritability, and trouble
sleeping. It's important to raise any existing conditions you may have, too, as
these may affect your tratment.
According to the results of a new study, for
example, there is a link between Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
and chronic whiplash symptoms. Patients who are living with
PTSD have higher levels of pain than whiplash patients who do not have this
disorder. Learning how to deal with PTSD following a car accident
will require seeking treatment from other professionals, and needs to be
diagnosed appropriately so that you can get the right type of treatment, which
may include medications, psychotherapy, or both.
Chiropractic Care for Soft Tissue Injuries
The
type of soft-tissue injury which presents following a car
accident may need more than just pain relievers and muscle relaxers to heal
properly. These measure provide symptom relief but don't really do anything to
get to the root of the problem.
The
damage caused to soft tissues will not necessarily heal within four to eight
weeks. It does not simply get better on its own with time and rest. This type
of injury requires specific treatment if you are going to be restored to the
state you were in before the accident.
Drug-free Treatment
Chiropractors
can offer a safe, drug-free
treatment option to accident victims. Their approach is
non-invasive. These trained professionals can focus on the following types of
injuries:
- Back pain
- Headache
- Neck pain
Once
the whiplash has been diagnosed, the chiropractor has a number of treatment options available to offer you. The
first thing you may think of when considering visiting a chiropractor is
manipulation, "cracking" the neck. This is not the only means of
treatment available. The chiropractor can also offer muscle relaxation or
stimulation therapy or suggest exercises which may help. He or she may also be
able to suggest some ergonomic or lifestyle changes which can help to lessen
the neck pain and promote healing.
The
first phase of the injury lasts for approximately 72 hours, during which time
the damaged tissue bleeds continuously. During this phase, the injured body
part should be treated with ice.
At
the 72-96 hour mark, the damaged blood vessels repair themselves. This step
marks the beginning of the regeneration phase of treatment, which lasts for
between six and eight weeks. At the end of this stage, the gap between the torn
tissues is bridged.
The
third, or remodeling, phase is where the tissues become stronger and change to
become more like the original, undamaged tissue. Proper treatment from a
chiropractor can help to ensure that they heal properly to avoid developing
into a chronic problem. Experts say that it takes about one year for damaged soft tissues to heal
properly.
Compensation for New Mexico Accident Victims
If
you have been injured in a New Mexico motor vehicle, truck, motorcycle, bus or pedestrian accident or collision and the other
driver was at fault, you may be able to recover money for your injuries and
your reasonable medical expenses resulting from the accident, including the
cost of doctor's and chiropractor's bills. You can make a claim for pain and suffering. You may
also be able to make a claim for compensation for loss of income (past and
future), which is why you and your legal team need to understand the full
picture regarding your injuries and the impact they will have on your
life.
The Albuquerque law firm of Caruso Law Offices is well prepared to assist you with your claims against the insurance company. Mark Caruso, the owner of Caruso Law Offices, is a former insurance company attorney, and he will explain your right to compensation and what you are entitled to be paid for from the insurance company.
You can contact Mark Caruso directly at 505-883-5000 or their web site at www.carusolaw.com They have some great YouTube videos describing your rights following a car accident at http://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1CfFrQ5rMb3eegwRl_S3aQ
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