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Migraines Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 03:45:44 +0000

If you have been involved in a car accident and you have suddenly found yourself starting to suffer from migraines, it is possible that your condition is a side effect from the injuries that you sustained during your car accident. But what are the different types of migraines and how do you know if this what you are suffering from?

Migraine With Aura

Broadly speaking, there are two basic categories of migraines. The first is the migraine with aura. Once referred to as a “classical migraine,” this type of migraine includes visual symptoms such as seeing lines, shapes or flashes. Some migraine sufferers may also lose their vision for 10 to 30 minutes during the aura phase. You may also experience tingling in your arms and legs or you may experience changes to your smell, speech, taste and touch. Approximately one out of four migraine suffers experience auras, which typically start before the head pain begins and may last up to an hour.

Migraine Without an Aura

The other broad category of migraines is the migraine without and aura, which is also referred to as the “common migraine.” As the name implies, this type of migraine does not include the aura phase. You may, however, feel a pulsing or throbbing on one side of your head. You may also experience nausea as well as vomiting and sensitivity to light and sound.

To learn more about migraines and how they may affect you either before or after a car accident, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today. We will be happy to help you explore you options for helping you to live a healthier lifestyle.

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Exploring Common Car Accident Injuries

Site Admin — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 16:24:48 +0000

When involved in a car accident, you are likely to suffer from many different types of injuries. Here is a look at some of the injury types that are most commonly associated with auto accidents.

Soft Tissue Damage

Your soft tissues are your body’s connective tissues, such as ligaments, muscles and tendons. When involved in a car accident, your soft tissues may be damaged. One of the most common types of soft tissue injuries associated with this type of accident is the whiplash. This is when the soft tissues of your neck and upper back are injured.

S Head Injuries

Head injuries may also occur when your car unexpectedly stops or changes direction. Impact with the side window or steering wheel can cause bruising, lacerations or even internal injuries to your head. It is also possible to experience damage to the skull. In more severe cases, brain damage is possible.

Scrapes and Cuts

Scrapes and cuts are also commonly associated with this type of trauma. Loose objects in your car can turn into projectiles, including coffee mugs, cell phones, books and GPS systems. Cuts and scrapes may occur when these items hit your body during an accident. These injuries are often minor and do not require medical attention, though some may require stitches.

If you are involved in a car accident, getting medical attention is absolutely essential. At Advanced Spine & Rehab, we will help you address your injuries in order to give you the best chance to enjoy a full recovery from the injuries you have sustained.

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Treating Whiplash Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2021 01:02:06 +0000

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries associated with being involved in a car accident. Caused by a forceful and rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, whiplash is often treatable through a multi-pronged treatment plan. Here is a look at some of the most common methods used for treating whiplash.

Pain Management

In order to reduce the amount of pain associated with your whiplash injury, your doctor may tell you to rest for a day or two following the injury while also applying either heat or cold to the neck every 15 minutes. Over-the-counter pain medication, prescription medications and muscle relaxants may also be recommended for pain management. Depending on the severity of the pain, numbing medication may also be injected into painful muscle areas.

Exercise

While it is generally best to rest for a day or two following the injury, exercise is essential for recovery. Stretching and movement exercises that you can do at home will help to restore the range of motion in your neck. Some of these exercises may include rotating your neck, tilting your head, bending your neck toward your chest and rolling your shoulders.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy may also be necessary to assist with your recovery following a whiplash injury. This typically involves being guided through exercises to strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and restore normal movement. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) may also be used.

To learn more about your treatment options and to create a treatment plan that works for you, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today!

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Treating a Broken Tailbone Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Wed, 19 May 2021 03:57:41 +0000

Car accidents are one of the main causes of tailbone injuries, but what exactly is the tailbone and how is an injury to this part of the body treated following an automobile accident?

What is the Tailbone?

The coccyx, commonly referred to as the “tailbone,” is a group of small bones that are located at the lower end of your spine. This short grouping of bones may consist of three to five vertebrae and ends in a soft point. Other than the first segment, the vertebrae are typically fused together. When you sit down, part of your upper body weight rests on your tailbone, which means that a break or injury to this part of your body is particularly painful whenever you try to sit down.

What are the Symptoms of a Broken Tailbone?

If your tailbone is broken in a car accident, you will likely experience localized pain in the area where the tailbone is located. You may also find that the pain is triggered by certain actions and activities, such as sitting for long periods of time, leaning back while seated, standing for a long period of time or even getting up from a seated position. You may also experience pain when urinating, during bowel movements or when engaging in sexual intercourse. The pain may also radiate to your legs, though this is not common.

How is a Broken Tailbone Treated?

Broken tailbones are usually treated without surgery, but physical therapy is often needed. Other treatment options may include pelvic floor rehabilitation, massage, manual manipulation, steroid injections and electrical nerve stimulation. Contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today to learn more about your treatment options!

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6 Back Injuries Commonly Associated with Car Accidents

Site Admin — Fri, 18 Dec 2020 04:08:56 +0000

Back injuries are extremely common for those who are involved in a car accident. While there are number of different back injuries that you might experience from a car accident, here is a look at the ones that are the most common:

• Herniated Discs: Also referred to as a bulging, slipped or ruptured disc, this injury occurs when the discs shift and compress the nerves. The injury may be treated with physical therapy or may require surgery.

• Spinal Fractures: Typically occurs when the seat belt fails to hold the body in place properly, causing the lower body to remain still as the torso and head move around.

• Spondylolisthesis: Occurs when a stress fracture forces the vertebrae to move out of

• place, resulting in compressed nerves or a compressed spinal canal. Treatment may include physical therapy or surgery.

• Spinal Cord Injury: May involve everything from simple bruising to cutting or complete severing of the spinal cord. The severity typically depends upon the force of the impact, but even low-speed car injuries can cause damage to the spinal cord and can result in permanent paralysis.

• Whiplash: Occurs when the muscles, ligaments and tissues in the neck are damaged, typically when the head and neck are propelled forward as the body stays still. Whiplash injuries frequently occur after being rear-ended in a car and may require physical therapy to heal.

For those with spinal stenosis, a car accident can also aggravate the condition and make even someone who was asymptomatic start to feel symptoms again.

If you have been involved in a car accident, regardless of the type if back injury you have experienced, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab to learn more about how we can help with your recovery process.

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Recovering from Torn Ligaments Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 00:48:16 +0000

When involved in a car accident, you may experience any one of several different types of ligament trauma. This may be in the form of a stretch or a tear, commonly referred to as simply a sprain. Sprains can be quite painful and can even prevent you from being able to complete everyday tasks. Some common ligament-related injuries include:

Ankle sprains
Back sprain
Elbow sprains
Knee sprains or tears of the ACL, LCL, MCL or PCL
Neck sprain
Torn meniscus
Torn rotator cuff
Whiplash
Wrist sprains

Understanding the Degree of Ligament Injuries

With ligament injuries, there are varying degrees of severity. A mild sprain, for example, will require far less medical care than a severe pain. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), sprains can be categorized in one of three different categories. These include:

Grade 1 Sprain (Mild): Defined as a slight stretching resulting in some damage to the fibers of the ligament.
Grade 2 Sprain (Moderate): Defined as a partial tearing of the ligament resulting in abnormal looseness in the joint whenever it is moved in a certain way.
Grade 3 Sprain (Severe): Defined as a complete tear of the ligament, causing significant instability to the point that the joint is nonfunctional.

Getting the Care You Need

If you have been in a car accident or have otherwise been involved in a situation that resulted in a sprain or torn ligament, proper medical care is essential. At Advanced Spine and Rehab, we will help you recover from your injuries so you can once again return to the lifestyle you desire.

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Treating a Broken Sternum Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 02:08:54 +0000

When involved in a car accident, a broke sternum may be one of the injuries that you sustain. Here is a closer look at what is involved with a broken sternum, otherwise known as the breastbone, and how it is treated.

Symptoms of a Broken Sternum

If you have fractured your sternum, breathing will become difficult and painful to do. The pain is generally worse with deeper breaths or when laughing or coughing. Moving your arms and lifting heavy objects may also be painful.

Treating a Broken Sternum

To treat a broken sternum, you will likely be ordered to simply rest as your body heals. Ice may be applied to your chest to help reduce swelling and pain. You may also take over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen. If the pain is too severe, stronger pain medication may be necessary. Furthermore, depending upon the extent of the break, surgery may be necessary to put the bone back in place.

For most people, it takes a few months to fully recover from a broken sternum. During this time, it is essential to avoid developing a chest infection. To avoid a chest infection, you should:

Frequently take deep breaths throughout the day
Avoid taking cough medication or otherwise suppressing the need to cough
Provide support to the chest wall when coughing

You should also be sure to contact your doctor immediately if you feel short of breath, develop a fever or start coughing up yellow, green or bloody phlegm. To learn more about treating a broken sternum or other injuries following a car accident, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today!

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Internal Bleeding and Car Accidents

Site Admin — Tue, 19 May 2020 01:41:09 +0000

When involved in a car accident, it is possible that you may suffer from internal bleeding as the result of your injuries. By definition, internal bleeding is any type of bleeding that takes place inside of your body. As such, it is not easy to see or to diagnose. Yet, in some cases, internal bleeding can be a life-threatening condition.

Symptoms of Internal Bleeding

There are a number of symptoms associated with internal bleeding. These include:

Chest pain
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Low blood pressure
Nausea
Numbness
Passing out
Severe abdominal pain
Severe headache
Severe weakness
Shortness of breath
Visual problems
Vomiting
Weakness on one side of the body

You may also notice bloody or dark stool or vomit due to internal bleeding. In addition, if the bleeding is behind the internal organs located inside of your abdomen, you may notice bruising around your belly button or on the sides of your abdomen.

Causes of Internal Bleeding

When involved in a car accident, internal bleeding is typically caused by internal tears and damage to the blood vessels. If you suffer from certain conditions, you will also be more likely to develop internal bleeding. For example, the body is supposed to make proteins to help stop bleeding when you are cut or injured. If your body doesn’t make enough of these clotting proteins, however, you may bleed free. Certain medications, such as blood thinners, will also put you at a higher risk of internal bleeding because they will prevent your blood from clotting as it should. Chronic high blood pressure, inherited bleeding disorders and even gastrointestinal issues can also increase your risk of internal bleeding.

If you have been involved in a car accident, regardless of the injuries you have sustained, you can count on Advanced Spine and Rehab to be beside you every step of the way toward recovery. Contact us today to learn more!

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Treating a Broken Clavicle Following a Car Accident

Site Admin — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 04:28:17 +0000

Being involved in a car accident may sometimes result in a broken clavicle, more commonly referred to as a collarbone. Despite the name, the collarbone is not actually located in the neck. Rather, it consists of the two long, thin bones that connect your breastbone to your shoulder blades. Breaking this bone can create any of the following symptoms:

Pain and swelling
A grinding feeling when raising the arm
Shoulder sagging
Difficulty moving the arm and shoulder
The formation of a bump around the area that was broken

To diagnose a broken clavicle, your doctor will need to complete an x-ray. While a broken clavicle will often heal on its own, you might need to use a splint or brace to keep your shoulder from moving while it heals. You may also need to take anti-inflammatory painkillers to help reduce the pain and swelling. In addition, range-of-motion and strengthening exercises may be necessary to help you regain full function of your arm and shoulder.

For most people, it takes six to twelve weeks for a broken clavicle to heal. Once you are able to move your arm and shoulder without pain, you can resume some level of physical activity and therapy. It is important that you do not take on too much too soon, however, as it is possible that you could break the bone again.

If you have suffered a broken clavicle from a car accident or other type of accident, contact Advanced Spine & Rehab today! We will be happy to help you work toward achieving recovering from your accident.

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X-Rays and Scans for Car Accident Victims

Site Admin — Mon, 17 Feb 2020 00:21:50 +0000

After being involved in a car accident, your doctor may wish to run one of several different types of tests. Many of these tests are designed to help determine the type and extent of internal injuries from which you are suffering. Learning more about these different types of tests can help you to be better prepared to undergo them while also knowing what types of results to expect. To that end, here are four common types of tests that you may undergo if your doctor suspects internal injuries.

X-Ray

An X-ray uses low levels of radiation to make your bones visible. An x-ray may also be helpful for identifying other injuries, such as a collapses lung from a rib injury. X-rays do, however, have difficulty with revealing fresh fractures, particularly if the bone is merely cracked.

CT Scan

A CT scan may be able to reveal fractures that cannot be identified via X-ray. A CT scan can also be helpful in identifying injuries to soft tissues and blood vessels. This is because a CT scan takes X-rays from various angels and then combines them to create images of cross-sectional slices of the body’s internal structures.

MRI

An MRI uses radio waves and a powerful magnet to create cross-sectional images. This test is used to view the soft tissues and organs in order to determine if there has been any damage. An MRI may also be able to identify a more subtle fracture.

Bone Scan

A bone scan involves injecting a small amount of radioactive material into the bloodstream. This radioactive material then collects in the bone, particularly in the area where the bone is healing. In this way, it can be detected by the scanner. As such, bone scans are useful for viewing stress fractures, such as those that have been created by repetitive trauma.

Contact Advanced Spine & Rehab

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