What Are the Common Causes of Neck Pain?
Neck pain affects 30 to 50 percent of the general adult population each year. Some pain will go away on its own, while others will linger. If you ignore the pain, it can worsen and affect your quality of life.
By understanding different types of neck pain, you will know the best way to treat and manage it. It can be frightening, especially if the pain continues for over three weeks, but keep reading to learn the different causes of neck pain to gain control over the situation.
Acute Neck Pain Causes?
Muscle, tendon, and ligament strains are the most common causes of neck discomfort. They recover within a few days or weeks. Here are some examples of acute neck problems:
Poor Posture
Constant slouching over a computer screen results in a forward head position. This leads to increased neck strain.
Text neck means discomfort from staring down at a smartphone or tablet for a long duration.
Sleeping in an uncomfortable posture can be an issue. A stiff neck may be present in the morning if the head is in an awkward position while sleeping.
Repetitive Activities
Repeated movements in your neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments can cause pain. This is common in side-to-side dancing or swimming motions.
Trauma
Any fall or impact, such as a sports collision or whiplash from an automobile accident, can cause pain. That is why patients have a brace around their neck after a car accident. The goal is to prevent constant movement that can worsen the pain.
Chronic Neck Pain Causes
When neck pain persists for many months, this is often because of degeneration from gradual wear and tear. Here are some common causes:
Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease
Over time, all discs lose their moisture and capacity to cushion the vertebrae of the spine. If the disc degenerates enough, it can lead to pain from nerve compression or bone rubbing on each other.
Osteoarthritis
When the cartilage in the cervical facet joint deteriorates enough, osteoarthritis may develop. The constant inflammation and degeneration lead to chronic neck pain.
Herniated Cervical Disc
The protective outer layer of the intervertebral disc is the annulus fibrosus. The jelly-like inner layer is the nucleus pulposus.
If the outer layer breaks down, the inner part may leak and compress nearby nerves. This leads to inflammation and discomfort.
Spinal Stenosis
This is where the spinal canal narrows and constricts nearby nerves.
This leads to pain, tingling, numbness, and weakness. These symptoms may spread into the neck, arms, and legs if the nerve root or spinal cord gets compressed.
Other Neck Pain Causes
If physical and imaging exams are normal, here are some common potential causes to explore:
Stress
70 percent of dentists notice more patients are grinding their teeth during the pandemic. The pressure from this can transfer to your neck, resulting in pain.
Infection
The infected part of the cervical spine can cause inflammation. This also leads to fever, low blood pressure, and other symptoms. The best way to stop the pain is to get rid of the infection through IV antibiotics.
Myofascial Discomfort Syndrome
This originates from the trigger points arising from aching neck muscles. Pain can radiate from another place in the body.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia often causes pain in the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Usually, the blood test will reveal elevated ESR and CRP. These are inflammatory markers, but corticosteroids can reduce them.
Spinal Tumor
A tumor can form in the cervical spine and cause tissue damage or nerve compression. Diagnose this with an MRI and treat it with surgery and corticosteroid injections.
Spondylolisthesis
This disease arises when a vertebra slides across one another. It results from a vertebral fracture, ligament laxity, or severe disc degeneration.
Symptoms of Neck Pain
If neck pain persists, it can affect your sleep and quality of life. It can also impede other daily tasks, such as getting dressed or going to work.
Don't know when to worry about the pain? Here is a list of symptoms to give you some clues:
- Stiffness
- Difficulty moving your neck
- Sharp, stabbing pain
- General soreness
- Radiating pain from neck to shoulders
- Headaches
- Difficulty holding or lifting items
- Arm or fingers getting numb or weak
Neck discomfort often resolves on its own, but sometimes you have to treat the issue to relieve the symptoms.
How to Get Rid of Neck Pain
There are several strategies you can do at home. If that doesn't work, chat with a provider for more options. Here are some neck pain treatments to explore:
Rest
Avoid vigorous activities and motions for a few days. Persist with slow mobility to prevent the neck from growing weaker and stiffer.
Cold and Warmth
Ice helps reduce swelling and discomfort, while heat relaxes muscles and increases blood flow and nutrition.
Apply ice or heat treatment for 15 to 20 minutes. Then separate for at least 2 hours to allow the skin to recuperate.
Gentle Stretches
Gentle range-of-motion stretches may relieve some types of neck discomfort and muscular stiffness. If a specific action exacerbates the pain, stop and attempt another movement.
Massage
A massage may reduce pain and promote relaxation. It helps relieve muscular tension and spasms.
Manual Manipulation
A chiropractor or osteopathic doctor will use their hands to manipulate the spine. This helps increase the range of motion and decrease discomfort.
Spinal manipulation entails high-velocity maneuvers. Spinal mobilization uses procedures with a narrower range of motion.
Acupuncture
A licensed acupuncturist inserts tiny needles into precise skin locations. It depends on the nature and probable cause of the pain.
These needles get put into the neck or elsewhere on the body to treat the pain. The goal is to unblock stagnated energy (qi) to speed up recovery.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy helps increase neck strength and flexibility. The form and duration vary based on the unique condition and scenario.
It entails many visits per week with a qualified physical therapist. The treatment plan leads to workouts performed at home.
Medications
Nonprescription pain relievers, such as NSAIDs or acetaminophen, can reduce neck pain. If neck discomfort continues, your doctor can prescribe a more potent NSAID dose. They may also prescribe muscle relaxants or opioids.
Before taking any drugs, read the directions and adhere to the doctor's recommendations. This will reduce side effects or drug interactions.
Steroid Epidural Injection
Your provider will inject cortisone solution into the cervical epidural space. They will use contrast-enhanced fluoroscopy to guide them.
The goal is to decrease inflammation on adjacent nerve roots and tissues. Patients with a herniated disc or spinal deterioration found relief from these steroid injections.
Learn More About the Causes of Neck Pain
Each part of your body connects to one another. For example, if you experience constant stress, you will clench your teeth. The pressure can radiate to your neck, leading to pain.
You want what's best for your body, and stopping that nagging pain is the goal. From pain killers to injections, several treatments are available. For more information about the causes of neck pain, contact us today.
How Often Should You Get a Chiropractic Adjustment?
Chiropractic care is a natural form of medical care that helps ease pain and improve range of motion, and over 35 million people seek this care each year.
People visit chiropractors when they have back or neck pain from regular life events, but people also see them after car accidents. If you're recovering from a car accident, visiting a chiropractor might be helpful.
You might wonder, "how often should you get a chiropractic adjustment?" You can discuss this question with your chiropractor to hear what's right for you based on your situation, but in the meantime, you can read this article to learn more about the frequency of chiropractic adjustments.
What Is a Chiropractic Adjustment?
Going to a chiropractor might be something new for you, but it's a vital treatment to seek if you suffer from pain or a decreased range of motion.
A chiropractic adjustment is a fast process that involves spinal manipulation.
The chiropractor typically asks you to lie on your back, side, or stomach. The doctor then uses a fast movement to adjust the vertebra in your spine.
They might adjust you in several ways, and you might hear a popping sound when it occurs. While you may think the pop is your bones cracking, it's actually trapped air that releases during the adjustment.
Some people think adjustments are slightly painful, but most people find instant relief from pain through these.
The goal of an adjustment is to relieve pressure in your back and neck and improve the functions of the nervous system. Adjustments also encourage structural integrity to the spine.
Who Needs a Chiropractic Adjustment?
So, why do people visit chiropractors, and who should visit one? There are many reasons to seek chiropractic care, but here are some common ones:
After an Injury
When people encounter injuries from car accidents, workplace incidents, or other events, they might seek help from a chiropractor.
A chiropractor's services are helpful for most injuries if a person experiences pain or reduced motion.
Back and Neck Problems
Anyone can develop back or neck problems, yet living with this pain isn't pleasurable. Therefore, people with back or neck pain often visit chiropractors routinely for adjustments.
Headaches
Headaches often occur simultaneously with neck pain but can also be independent of neck problems. A chiropractic adjustment can do the trick when you have headaches you can't explain or treat effectively.
Neuropathy
Seeking chiropractic care for treating neuropathy is also an excellent option. Chiropractic care improves the body's nervous system's functions, leading to relief for many people.
Consider finding a chiropractor that you can trust if you have any of these problems. When you choose one, they will create a customized plan for you. Then, you'll know how often you should seek chiropractic adjustments.
What Benefits Does It Offer?
Each time you go for a chiropractor visit, they'll perform an adjustment. Some people go several times a week, while others might go monthly. But you can benefit from each visit.
So, what are the benefits of chiropractic adjustments? Here are some of the top ones:
Decreased Pain
The primary benefit you'll experience through adjustments is decreased pain. Therefore, one of the top goals of chiropractic care is to provide relief to people for the pain they experience.
A chiropractor will customize a plan to help you achieve this goal through treatment options.
Improvement in Movement
Second, chiropractic services help improve a person's range of motion. For example, if your injuries limit your movement and motion, you can improve them through chiropractic adjustments.
Many chiropractors measure a person's movement before offering treatment. Then, after several adjustments, they'll remeasure it to show you the improvement.
Increases Circulation
Each time the chiropractor adjusts you, it helps your body release toxins. It also helps your blood flow. As a result, your body will experience an increase in blood circulation, which is helpful for many things.
First, improved blood flow helps your body heal faster. Second, it decreases pain, numbness, and tingling sensations.
Loosens Muscles
An adjustment also loosens your muscles. So if you have tense, tight muscles, you'll find relief as these muscles loosen after your adjustments.
Improvement in Nervous System
Adjustments provide improvements to the nervous system. For example, when your vertebra pushes on your nerves, your nervous system can't function properly.
Adjustments provide relief for your nerves, helping them work more efficiently.
If you're currently suffering from car accident injuries, learn more about the benefits of adjustments after car accidents.
How Often Should You Get a Chiropractic Adjustment?
Now that you understand what chiropractic adjustments are and their benefits, you might wonder how often you need them. Here is a breakdown that might help you understand the required frequency for your issues:
Accident Injuries
If you have major injuries from a car accident, a chiropractor might use a sliding frequency scale for visits.
For example, they might ask you to get two or three adjustments during the first week or two after encountering the injuries. After that, they might suggest one adjustment per week for two to three weeks.
When you complete those, you might need to come back once a month for a few months.
Chronic Pain
If you suffer from chronic pain, a chiropractor might suggest getting adjustments once or twice a month. You can aim for once a month, but you can go more often if the pain worsens.
Normal Aches and Pains
Some people only need chiropractic adjustments two or three times a year. Going a few times a year can help with normal aches and pains that most people experience.
Are you ready to find the best chiropractor to treat your problems?
Visit a Chiropractor Today
So, how often should you get a chiropractic adjustment? The answer depends on your situation and pain level. Many people get them regularly to prevent pain, while others get them to treat their pain.
You can contact the Injury Care Center to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services. We look forward to hearing from you!
A Guide on the Different Types of Back Pain
Did you know that four in five Americans will suffer from back pain at least once?
If your back has been hurting you, remember that you are not alone. People of all ages and backgrounds experience back pain. And if you want to get better, it's important to know about the different types of back pain so that you can find the right treatment.
To help you out, we've written a guide. Read on if you want to find out more.
Nerve Pain
Those who experience nerve pain in their backs will probably feel intense sensations that radiate or shoot across the back. The pain tends to start at a certain location on the spine and radiates along the path of a particular nerve. A doctor who diagnoses you with nerve pain might call it radicular pain or radiculopathy.
The most common place on the back to experience nerve pain is near the lumbar spine and in the legs. It's also possible that you'll feel shooting pain that moves from your cervical spine to your arms and hands.
One common cause of nerve pain is disk herniation, which puts pressure on your nerve roots.
The best way to treat this condition is to eliminate the pressure that's being placed on the nerve root. Many people choose to get surgery to clear out the part of the disk that is herniated. But most cases get better on their own in a matter of weeks.
If you have chronic nerve pain, consider making use of our top chronic pain management tips.
Muscle and Ligament Sprains and Strains
Chances are that you've strained at least one muscle in your body in the past. For example, maybe you've overextended your ankle or twisted your wrist.
Strains happen when your muscles or tendons get irritated. Strains are similar, but they involve ligaments, which are strong tissues that hold bones together.
There are many muscles and tendons in the back, so it can often be difficult to pinpoint the exact locations where strains happen.
Two of the largest ligaments in the back are the anterior longitudinal ligament and posterior longitudinal ligament. These don't get sprained very often. When they do, the condition is often linked to other types of injuries in the spine.
If you feel pain in the muscles in your back that get more intense when you move, it's likely that you have a muscle strain. Along with using natural treatments for pain management, you should also get plenty of rest, put ice on the parts of your body that hurt, and elevate the affected areas as often as you can.
Bone Spurs and Fractures
The least common reason for back pain is bone pain. If you break a bone in your back, the pain will be so intense that you'll know that something is wrong.
Those who experience bone pain in their back struggle to find options for relieving back pain. It's likely that they'll feel a constant ache that won't go away.
It's also common to feel pain in your back if you have osteoporosis. This condition makes people's bones become weaker and more brittle. Those who have osteoporosis in the spine are more likely to suffer from compression fractures.
Structural Problems in the Back
There are many kinds of structural problems that you can have in the back, which create pain. Since this kind of pain can be so intense, those who have structural problems with their backs are constantly looking for back pain treatment.
If you've ruptured a disk, you'll feel lots of nerve pain. Since the spine's disks protect bones from rubbing against one another, when you rupture a disk, you'll feel a sharp pain that often won't go away.
Those whose spines have abnormal curvatures might also experience back pain symptoms.
Poor Posture and Unnatural Movements
If you work at an office and hunch over when you are working on the computer, it's possible that you'll experience back pain from time to time. Therefore, it's so important to be aware when you are slouching at your desk. When you recognize that you're doing this, always remember to correct your posture.
Many people who make unnatural movements also develop back pain. If you overstretch while doing your morning yoga, it's possible that you'll experience pain in your back. This also happens to people who push, pull, carry, or lift heavy objects.
Inflammatory Back Pain
Inflammatory back pain is less common than other kinds of conditions, and doctors sometimes misdiagnose it. It's characterized by excessive inflammation in the spinal joints. This inflammation happens because of a secondary condition where the immune system attacks the spine's joints.
People who suffer from inflammatory back pain are usually under forty years old. The pain will feel most intense early in the morning and at night when you're about to go to bed. People can often start feeling better by doing gentle exercise and taking anti-inflammatory medications.
Relief From Back Pain Is Within Your Reach
If you're not sure why your back is bothering you, it's important to know about all the different types of back pain. Once you know what the cause is, it will be easier for you to get treatment.
You shouldn't have to live in pain. If you're experiencing back pain because of an injury, we can help you get better. Please contact us today when you are ready to get started.
What Are the Most Common Auto Accident Injuries?
Approximately 7,500 people in America are injured every day in auto accidents, and Americans spend 1 million days in the hospital for common auto accident injuries every year. This results in around $18 billion in lifetime medical expenses and $33 billion in lost work.
If you have been involved in an auto accident, you know how frightening and jarring it can be. Car accidents cause many injuries, both psychological and physical.
However, most car crash victims don't feel the full extent of the injuries until several hours or even days after the accidents.
Here are some of the most common car accident injuries.
Scars and Disfiguration
Burns and facial injuries can result in disfiguring scars that alter a person's appearance. These may need plastic or reconstructive surgery and may never disappear completely.
Depending on the career, facial disfiguration might limit a person's ability to maintain their jobs. Scars can also cause many other long-term problems, such as anxiety and depression.
As the scars heal, they contract. This limits the movement of the affected area. In some situations, a scar can even grow into a keloid.
Bruising
Bruises are rarely severe and often heal in a week or two. The belt seat is among the items that cause bruising in a car accident while saving you from worse injuries.
Most bruises are harmless, but monitor them if you get them from a motor vehicle accident. Some bruises can be worse and penetrate as deep as the bone.
A bruise can also indicate internal bleeding. If it progresses into a contusion or hematoma, it may be because of a more serious injury beneath the bruise.
Always pay close attention to bruises on the head. They may be a sign of a brain injury which can worsen quickly.
Broken Bones
Fractures and breaks in the bones result from a heavy collision during a car accident and may not always be detectible at the time of the accident.
A displaced fracture involves breaking bones into several pieces, while a non-displaced fracture is when the bone breaks but remains where it was. When a bone fracture occurs, but there is no puncture in the skin or open wound, it is called a closed fracture.
Facial Injuries
The eyes, ears, and mouth are delicate parts easily injured in a car accident. During a car accident, the facial bone may break and sometimes not heal well, causing mutilation.
Lacerations can also occur. When they do, the face gets deep cuts requiring stitches that leave undying scars. If the eye is injured, blunt force or debris might cause blindness.
One may also lose teeth during accidents. Fortunately, there're dental experts in the industry to help with cosmetic dentistry services.
Neck Injuries
A car accident may cause injuries to the neck's tendons, muscles, cartilage, and other soft tissues.
Whiplash is a neck injury caused by an intense, quick back-and-forth neck movement, similar to the cracking of a whip. This movement can also be referred to as whip cracking.
Whiplash may not be visible, but can take months to heal or lead to a life of pain. During the accident, the airbags and steering wheel are the chief causes of neck injuries that need medical attention.
Loss of Limbs
The force of an auto accident can remove a limb completely or cause substantial damage that will require the limb to be partially or fully removed. Limb loss leads to expensive and long-term rehabilitation. It may also lead to the need for prostheses.
Hand and Wrist Injuries
If your hands flew up to shield you in reaction to a car crash, you could get injured. The delicate bones in the wrist and hand work together in a complex relationship. In severe accidents, you may need surgery to heal these injuries.
Foot and Leg Injuries
Drivers are mostly the victims of leg and foot injuries during a car accident. With their legs overextended frontward while driving, bones and tissues can take the brunt of a forward crash resulting in leg injuries that require physical therapy, among other medical services.
Like the hand, the foot has many small bones that can easily break or move out of place.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries can occur because of a car crash, but these injuries are slow to appear and diagnose. Problems with memory, body, and brain functions can signal worse injuries in the brain.
Traumatic brain injuries include blows to the head and penetrating injuries to the skull. Severe accidents resulting from these injuries lead to lifelong challenges or death.
Concussions
The best way to describe a concussion is when the brain comes to a sudden stop. It makes the brain bounce around inside the skull and stretch or twist out of shape.
Every concussion that occurs is possibly severe and life-threatening. Unlike broken bones or burns, you cannot directly see a concussion.
If you experience a concussion, you don't require an immediate brain scan. You can always observe your learning, memory, and concentration to identify changes.
Burns
During an accident, people come into contact with car parts, such as the engine, or spray liquids that can cause severe burns. The entire vehicle might also burst into flames, causing life-threatening burns or death.
Seek Medical Help If You've Sustained Auto Accident Injuries
Modern vehicle safety systems are designed to protect you during an accident, but auto accident injuries happen regardless of this. If you have been involved in a car accident, seek medical help quickly.
At the Injury Care Center, we have doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and assistants to treat your injuries. Contact us today, and we will respond as soon as possible so we can begin treating you.
What Doctor Should I See After a Car Accident?
Each year, over 2.5 million people around the world are injured in a car accident. Getting into a car accident can have serious, life-altering implications.
Some injuries are minor, while others are quite severe. Even more frighteningly, some injuries may seem minimal, but can be very damaging and potentially life-threatening.
Therefore, it is imperative to see a doctor after a car accident. You may wonder what type of doctor(s) to see. Continue to learn more.
Accident Scope's Role in Determining a Doctor
An accident's scope plays a central role in what doctor or doctors to contact. The first step after an accident is determining what areas of your body are in pain or feel discomfort.
If your accident is severe enough, you may be rushed to the hospital immediately. No matter the magnitude of your accident, if you experience pain or discomfort, it is wise to get examined.
Proper care after an accident has no black and white answer. The steps to move forward will be determined by your injury and dictate what different doctors or therapists to contact.
Below are a few common medical or alternative treatment professionals who help people who have been in car accidents daily.
Chiropractor
One type of doctor who specializes in neck and back pain is a chiropractor. Chiropractors are trained to treat conditions or incidents relating to the spine.
These doctors perform a treatment called an adjustment. Adjustments can be customized based on your needs and injury. Chiropractors also often have specialized equipment that can provide bodily relief.
To help design and plan a course of action for you, chiropractors often request that you go through specific testing, including x-rays. This will allow them to see where the injury took place and what would be the appropriate treatment.
Once a chiropractor determines a course of action, he or she will suggest how many times per week or month to come into the office. Many individuals see chiropractors frequently and develop a pleasant relationship with their doctor.
Neurologist
If you injure your head during an accident, it is imperative to get it examined in a hospital or, if needed, by a neurologist. A head injury of any degree is not something to take lightly.
Even if you feel okay, a head injury can cause a brain hemorrhage. This is more commonly referred to as internal bleeding. Without immediate correction, a brain hemorrhage will result in death.
If detected early, there are emergency surgeries that can attempt to correct the brain injury.
Many individuals who are involved in a brain injury endure a concussion. This will be determined by a hospital doctor or a specialist. Once a specialist determines there is no internal bleeding, this is a major relief and step forward.
An inevitable repercussion of a head injury is consistent headaches or pain for a period. A neurologist or even a chiropractor will provide some guidance on how to limit the pain.
Massage Therapist
Massages have many positive health benefits, especially for those involved in a car accident.
A massage therapist will determine what to focus on depending on the part of your body that was injured. Not only will the therapist work on the specific area of injury, but surrounding areas for overall wellbeing and health.
You can choose how often you see a massage therapist. Some individuals may get massaged a few times a week, while others get worked on a couple of times a month.
Most massage therapists, like chiropractors, create a customized course of action for you. This will provide guidance on how often to get massaged.
Physical Therapist
When involved in an injury, a physical therapist is a great person to have on your recovery team.
Physical therapy can make all the difference. Millions of Americans who have been involved in car accidents have recovered successfully because of consistent and reliable physical therapy.
What will a physical therapist do for you? He or she will help you complete critical exercises and activities to retrain your body after an accident. The therapist will monitor your progress and update activities accordingly.
These exercises and activities will not only help in the overall recovery process, but will support your long-term well-being.
Combination of Treatments May Be Vital After a Car Accident
Often, a car accident victim receives treatment from a chiropractor, massage therapist, and physical therapist. The combined treatments can be the perfect package for recovery.
The three medical and alternative treatment professionals have often collaborated. They are each reaching towards the same goal and that is your recovery.
Car accident victims who have experienced substantial injuries have seen the positive effects of a multifaceted recovery plan. Each professional can contribute their unique expertise and work side by side to help you move forward from your accident.
Invest in You and Receive the Care You Deserve
An injury after a car accident is something you have to be proactive about. To ensure your health for years to come, take the steps necessary to heal and recover correctly.
Contacting a chiropractor, neurologist, massage therapist, and/or physical therapist is an investment in yourself. With their care and monitoring, you can work towards overcoming your injury.
Medical and alternative treatment professionals find a great sense of enjoyment and satisfaction in partnering with you, so do not be afraid to contact a doctor or therapist to receive medical help.
To learn more about doctors or therapists you can work with and what treatment options are available for you, please contact us today.
What Is Manual Therapy? Your Complete Guide
Roughly 50 million US adults suffer from chronic pain. That means 50 million people are experiencing poor quality of life because of their bodies.
Are you one of these people? If so, you might be looking for treatment options and resources. The good news is that there is a non-invasive and simple treatment that can manage your pain.
Manual therapy is a type of physical therapy and has been proven effective. Not sure if it's right for you?
Read on for our complete guide to manual therapy.
What Is Manual Therapy?
Manual therapy is physical therapy that uses a hands-on approach. A trained professional will use their hands to massage your body. They won't use any machines or devices that can be costly and invasive.
Manual therapy can be different for everyone depending on the pain you have. Your therapist works with you to ensure a proper treatment plan that will take care of your pain.
Manual therapy involves a few different techniques to result in the desired outcome. We have established the Three M's that we follow for manual therapy.
Massage Therapy
The first step in manual therapy is massage. Applying pressure to the tissue on your body helps circulate blood flow and relieve symptoms of pain. Massage therapy is often used to help injury rehabilitation and pain management.
Manipulation Therapy
Manipulation is a chiropractic treatment where a professional applies force to realign your body. They apply a certain amount of pressure to a body part, and this puts it back into alignment. This is especially helpful for joint pain and mobility.
Mobility Therapy
Similar to manipulation, mobility will include applying force to a part of the body to realign it. Mobility, however, will specialize in the areas of joints. By forcing a joint to move in the proper direction, it increases mobility and joint function.
Benefits of Manual Therapy
There are a multitude of benefits to manual therapy since it is a three-fold treatment. Here are six that can have an immediate impact on you.
Increases Blood Flow
When you are being massaged, your blood flow circulates better throughout your body. This can help with any tingling sensations you may struggle with, or even swelling.
Relaxes Muscle Tension
If you struggle with tight muscles, then manual therapy may be perfect for you. Because your muscles are being massaged, this relieves the built up tension that may cause you pain.
Muscle tension can happen for many reasons, whether it's stress or an injury. Manual therapy can prove effective in combating it.
Effective Pain Management
Chronic pain can have a gross negative impact on someone's life. Rather than living with chronic pain, manual therapy can aid in making it better.
By seeing a manual therapist, you'll be provided effective pain management for the long-term. You may start by having multiple sessions a week, but eventually you may only need a session a few times a month.
Rather than going through lengthy invasive procedures or medications, consider manual therapy.
Positive Psychological Effects
Chiropractic adjustments have proven to have a positive impact on those with depression and anxiety. When being adjusted, positive hormones are released, and this combats the symptoms of depression.
Feeling tension and pain leave your body can also aid in making you feel less stressed and anxious. Sometimes, people feel depressed because of underlying pain in their body. When this pain is relieved, so are the depressive or stressed symptoms.
If you are struggling with mental health, giving manual therapy a try might make a difference.
Improves Range of Motion
When your joints are adjusted, your range of motion improves. This means you will have more energy and mobility to do the things that you want.
Your joints may prevent you from playing with your kids or going hiking with friends. Don't let it prevent you from enjoying activities anymore.
Quicker Healing
Athletes are prone to getting injuries while practicing or playing sports. If you have sustained a long-term injury, investing in manual therapy may be a good choice to speed up recovery. Massaging the muscles and improving mobility can quicken healing.
It may still take some time for your injury to heal, but the process will be quicker than normal.
When Would Manual Therapy Not Be Right For Me?
If you are looking for a diagnosis for your pain, manual therapy won't offer that. We offer diagnostic testing though, if that is something you need.
If you are suffering from a fractured bone, you will want to hold off on manual therapy until the bone is properly healed. Manual therapy will help strengthen the bones and tissue again once the fracture has healed.
Manual Therapy Costs
Manual therapy costs can differ depending on your insurance provider and the therapist. Most insurance should cover manual therapy, but certain add-ons may be extra.
Before you begin manual therapy, you can consult your therapist on treatment options, and find out what insurance will cover. Your therapist may be able to help you ensure coverage for the different areas you need.
How Do I Start?
Are you ready to live your life to the fullest again? Stop living in constant pain and choose a treatment that can change your life for the better. Manual therapy can be the solution you are looking for.
Contact us today to schedule a consultation!
When Should You Start Physical Therapy After an Injury?
Are you or a loved one currently out of commission from an injury? Recovery is an exciting and hopeful road made easier with the help of physical therapy.
Most soft tissue injuries heal in six to eight weeks. However, you might experience stiffness, pain, weakness, or inflammation during this time. More severe injuries will require extensive care and rehabilitation.
Physical therapy is vital in helping your body heal and get back to working order. But when is the best time to start? Are you looking to start physical therapy soon?
This guide covers everything you need to know and can expect from physical therapy. Read on to find out more.
Physical Therapy: Optional or Necessary?
Soft tissue healing takes roughly about 6 to 8 weeks. During this time, physical therapy is crucial in helping you regain the most function and performance.
Complete rehabilitation isn't only when the pain goes away. Physical therapy includes restoring range of motion and regaining muscle strength. After injuries, patients may need to practice coordination and balance.
Massive trauma, like spinal injuries, often includes therapy for relearning how to walk.
Finally, physical therapy includes general conditioning exercises.
Even though some injuries may leave lasting effects, the goal of physical therapy is to bring back as much normalcy as possible. There's always the temptation to minimize your injuries or tough it out.
There's no shame in seeking treatment, and you deserve the best quality of life. Read heartwarming stories here about how physical therapy helped people.
Does Physical Therapy Hurt?
Physical therapy isn't supposed to feel painful. However, expect some discomfort and soreness while your body restores itself. You should feel a "good pain" similar to the soreness after a satisfying gym workout.
The timeline for healing varies across injuries. More severe injuries take up more time for pain recovery and more time for physical therapy. Follow your physical therapy regimen as soon as your physician gives you the signal.
Here are the top reasons you should start therapy as soon as possible.
Optimize Healing Results
Starting physical therapy as soon as possible is your closest bet to regaining the full function of your injured body part.
Unfortunately, the longer you wait, the higher chance your body won't heal right. Human bodies are resilient by nature. It wants to protect you from injury, but it can sometimes work too well.
Think of how scar tissue develops. Your body goes into overdrive to prevent the bleeding. It then reaches a point where it overproduces skin tissue and fibers. Your skin forms a barrier, and it stops the bleeding; mission accomplished. However, your skin doesn't look the way it did before, while your muscles and tendons work the same way.
Your body sends repairing agents, blood, and healing signals towards your injury. You'll see and feel this as swelling and inflammation. Swelling and inflammation go away with treatment. However, if you leave it there, you risk it turning into chronic inflammation.
Chronic inflammation can limit your movement, increase pain, or flare up in the future. It may interfere with muscle healing, impinge nerves or blood vessels, and cause permanent damage.
Avoid Secondary Injuries
Delaying physical therapy doesn't hinder your body from taking charge of the injury. If you wait long enough or tough it out, your body will still heal, albeit less effectively.
Without physical therapy, your bones and muscles might heal with incorrect placement. One aspect of physical therapy is repositioning. It helps you ensure every component is where it needs to be.
Even people with prosthetic limbs need periodic readjustment for their prostheses. This is because the effects of pressure and movement build up.
If your muscles and joints don't go back to their proper position, it may exert force on other structures that aren't used to bearing force. This increases the risk of developing secondary pain symptoms. You may even risk future injury.
Don't let one injury lead to another. Let the injury heal fully in the normal position with physical therapy.
Reduce Recovery Time
When you start physical therapy early, it not only gives you the best results, it also gives you the best results in the smallest amount of time possible.
It's the best way to get your form and function back as early as possible since it's easier to repair damage when it hasn't healed yet. Rehabilitation is faster when you start with the base level of damage.
Early intervention prevents your body from picking up "bad habits." You reduce recovery time without these bad habits because you have less to unlearn and correct.
Minimize Treatment Costs
Treatment for your current injury might already burn a hole through your pocket. Imagine a secondary injury adding to the bills. Now imagine a chronic issue developing and having to pay medical bills for it in the future.
Physical therapy might seem like an unnecessary luxury. However, skimping out on your health now means paying for it in the future. Not only do you pay in the form of bills, but you also compromise your quality of life.
It all ties together in giving yourself the best results in the least amount of time. Fixing the issue now will help you minimize future expenses.
Start Physical Therapy Today
The degree and type of injury determine when you start physical therapy. However, regardless of injury, the earlier you start, the better chance you give yourself to return to your everyday life. If you don’t know when to start physical therapy, the answer is as soon as possible.
Thank you for reading our article. Debilitating injuries genuinely put into perspective the functions of our body that we take for granted. Contact us today for physical therapy services to get your life back!
Types of Alternative Treatment Available for Chronic Pain Disorders
According to the CDC, over 20% of the adult population in the U.S. has suffered from chronic pain in recent years. While chronic pain rates are higher among Americans over the age of 65, chronic pain can affect people of any age.
In recent years, the acceptance and use of prescription opioids to treat chronic pain has exploded. While these drugs might help to ease the symptoms of pain temporarily, taking them comes with significant risk.
If you are suffering from chronic pain disorders, there are other options beyond taking narcotics. Let's check out alternative treatments to try if you are suffering from ongoing pain.
Why Might You Want to Avoid Narcotics as Chronic Pain Treatment?
There are several reasons why you might want to find alternative medical treatment options for chronic pain instead of taking prescribed narcotics. Also referred to as opioids, these drugs can help to relieve short-term pain. However, they have several undesirable and potentially life-altering side effects.
Taking narcotics doesn't just impair your judgment or make you sleepy and confused. They can also be incredibly addictive. Even when taken as prescribed by a doctor, it is possible to develop a crippling addiction to opioid pain relievers.
Chronic Pain Disorders: What Types of Alternative Treatments Are Available?
If you are experiencing chronic pain, it's important to exhaust all other options before turning to opioids. You might find that one of these alternative pain treatments helps reduce your pain in a natural and healthy way.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a therapeutic technique where specific points on the body are stimulated through the insertion of thin needles through the skin. Used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for about three thousand years, this therapy is increasingly understood to help with a growing list of medical conditions.
Several studies suggest that many types of pain can be helped by acupuncture. These include low-back pain, neck pain, knee pain, osteoarthritis, headaches, and more.
Mind-Body Therapies
Another type of alternative treatment for chronic pain disorders is mind-body therapy. These can include a wide variety of approaches, including:
- Meditation
- Relaxation techniques
- Guided imagery
- Hypnosis
- Biofeedback
Studies have found that relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation can help to reduce stress-related pain.
Chiropractic Treatment
One of the most common nonsurgical treatments for back pain is chiropractic treatment. People seek this type of treatment for other types of chronic pain as well, including neck pain, headaches, and certain arm and leg conditions.
Lifestyle Changes
Some people might find that their pain is better managed by changing their diet and lifestyle. There are several schools of thought with the relationship between diet and pain, some of which focus on reducing anti-inflammatory agents in foods.
Another important lifestyle change that people suffering from chronic pain can make is working to reduce their stress. Increasingly, researchers understand that stress, inflammation, pain, and chronic diseases are intricately linked.
There are a lot of different things can that trigger stress, and you might find that your triggers lie somewhere in your home life, relationships, work, or elsewhere in your life. It's a good idea to identify the stressors in your life so that you can help to reduce them.
One way to reduce your stress levels is to spend more time in nature. There are also some studies that have found that music therapy might have a positive impact on pain. It's also a good idea to make sure you are practicing healthy sleep habits.
Nutritional Supplements
Some people with chronic pain also choose to take nutritional supplements to manage their pain. While there is typically not as much research regarding the efficacy of nutritional supplements when compared to pharmaceutical drugs, you might find that some supplements help you go about your daily business with less pain. Consider talking to your pain management doctor about what supplements could help with your condition.
Herbal Remedies
There are a lot of different herbal remedies that are thought to help reduce pain. When you search around for information about herbal remedies online, you'll likely find a broad spectrum of opinions regarding their efficacy. The best way to go about determining whether an herbal remedy is worth pursuing is to look into studies regarding the specific herb you are considering taking. As always, talk to your doctor about the right course of action for you.
Everything from ginger and peppermint to eucalyptus and capsaicin (a compound in chili peppers) is thought to help reduce pain.
Therapeutic Touch
Have you ever considered trying energy-based techniques in order to reduce your pain? Reiki healing and other therapeutic touch methods are thought to help activate the self-healing process of a person. There have only been a limited number of small studies regarding the efficacy of this type of technique.
Physical Therapy
Another common alternative treatment is physical therapy for chronic pain. When you undergo physical therapy, it can help you move and feel better while also strengthening you. Physical therapy doesn't just help to treat your pain, but it can also help to treat the source of the problem.
Are You Ready to Improve Your Chronic Pain Disorders?
Many of these alternative treatments for chronic pain disorders can help you have more energy and feel better in your everyday life. These are holistic approaches that support your whole being, while narcotics can often have a net negative effect on one's life.
Is it time for you to try some alternative treatments for your pain? If so, contact us today.
7 Future Injury Prevention Tips
Nearly 3.5 million children and teens suffer an injury from playing sports each year. Many athletes do not take the proper steps to keep themselves from becoming injured and will push through the pain even after they hurt themselves.
It is essential to your health and safety to do what you can to prevent injuries as well as know how to take care of yourself if one occurs.
Here are just a few of the most useful tips for injury prevention.
1. Warm Up and Cool Down Properly
The first step to preventing injury is to properly warm up your muscles before every workout, game, or practice. Warming up helps to increase the blood flow to your muscles and gets them ready for more intense activity.
You will want to take 5-10 minutes to complete a dynamic warmup. A dynamic warmup is best to do at the beginning of your exercise as it mimics movements you'll do during your workout. These include movement-based stretches such as lunges, squats, and high-knees.
After your workout, you will want to complete some static stretches to lengthen and loosen your muscles. Static stretches are held for a long time and are important to your flexibility and recovery.
2. Take Time Off
Many athletes pride themselves on working out intensely every single day. In reality, however, it is important to take time off for your body to properly recover and repair the muscle fibers that are torn during intense exercise.
Taking a rest day or an active rest day is important to letting your body heal and replenish its energy stores so you are ready for your next workout or game. It is also important to get enough sleep every night. A good night's rest allows you to think clearly and react quicker than you might with a lack of sleep.
3. Train Effectively
Besides warming up and cooling down, it is important to create a training schedule that works for your specific needs and lifestyle. Make sure you are properly training the muscles you use during your sport, but also giving them a break and training other muscle groups.
For example, if you play soccer, you may think you need to dedicate all of your time to training your legs and glutes. However, it is essential to also prioritize upper body training to balance out your muscles.
4. Treat Any Injuries ASAP
If you suffer from an injury, then seek treatment immediately. Physical therapy is a great option to help you restore movement, reduce pain, and prevent future injury.
If you don't seek the proper treatment, then you risk making an injury worse and being out of the game for an even longer period. The sooner you get help for an injury, the sooner you can get back to playing.
5. Don't Push Through the Pain
Many athletes have the mindset of "pushing through the pain," but this can be very dangerous. Trying to push through the pain will only increase your risk of injury.
Don't ignore aches and pains, especially if they seem to be getting worse or don't go away after a few days. Also, if you are incredibly sore or you are experiencing pain, then consider taking a day off of training or working out for a few days so your body can properly recover.
6. Follow a Healthy Diet
One of the most important parts of being a successful athlete is learning how to fuel your body correctly. Eating enough of the right types of food is essential to your overall health and fitness levels.
Athletes typically need to eat more than the average person to fuel their intense workouts. Female teen athletes need around 2,200-3,000 calories per day, while males need 3,000-4,000. Athletes in multiple sports may need up to 5,000 calories per day to support their needs.
It is critical to make sure these calories comprise the right kind of food. Make sure you are eating whole foods and getting in enough protein, carbs, and fats. Protein is especially important for athletes to prioritize, as it is helpful to keep you full and build muscle.
7. Wear Proper Protective Equipment
One important preventative measure you can take is to wear the proper protective equipment that is required for your sport. Make sure you have a good pair of supportive shoes if you are on your feet a lot.
If you have the option to wear pieces such as mouth guards, shinguards, padding, or helmets, then do so. Many athletes opt-out of this equipment if it is possible, but wearing it can save you from a major injury.
When to See a Doctor for a Sports Injury
Many athletes are unsure of when they should seek help for their injuries or pain. These are the signs that you should check in with a doctor or other medical professional:
- Your symptoms do not go away with a few days of rest
- Your pain gets worse
- There is visible swelling or bruising
- Injuries get better and then come back again quickly
- Painful popping or cracking when exercising
- Inability to fully move a joint
- Numbness in any joint or muscle
- Pain that disrupts sleep
- Pain accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or fever
Follow Our Tips for Injury Prevention Today
It is incredibly important to follow the proper steps for injury prevention. Keeping your mind and body in good condition is essential to being a successful athlete.
If you are an athlete with a current injury or history of injuries, contact us today to explore our different treatment options.
4 Crucial Steps to Seeking Medical Attention for Car Accident Injuries
There are over 33,000 fatal car crashes a year in the United States. When not fatal, car accident injuries typically need medical treatment. But what's the best way to seek medical attention after a car accident?
If you've been looking for ways to find medical treatment after a car accident, we're here to help. Read on for four crucial steps when seeking medical attention for your car accident injuries.
1. Consider Urgency
One of the first things you should do is decide how urgent your injuries are. It's especially important to do this immediately after a car accident. Accidents are stressful, and it's easy to get caught up in the flurry of everything.
There are also times when you won't get a choice in the matter, such as during intense car accidents. A paramedic or police officer may insist that you go to an emergency room or hospital.
The severity of the accident shouldn't be the only thing that helps you decide this. You can easily get whiplash or other injuries even in a slow-moving minor accident. It's always better to veer on the safe side and get attention immediately rather than waiting.
However, if it's been a few days since your accident, you should still monitor yourself. If you're experiencing new, sudden pains or stiffness in your neck, you may have gotten an injury you didn't notice.
You will never regret getting medical treatment or attention, so don't hesitate. If it seems urgent, go as soon as you can. If not, you should still get checked out so you can make sure there aren't any hidden injuries.
2. Find a New Doctor
Another tip that you might not expect is that you shouldn't go to your general practitioner with your injuries. Instead, these are specific situations in which a car accident doctor or professional can help you with.
Your Primary Care Physician has training in treating internal health conditions and other general ailments. However, in your current situation, you'll need a doctor that can accurately identify car accident injuries. Ailments like whiplash, concussions, soft tissue damage, and more are all common after an accident.
Finding a doctor that can specifically find these injuries is a much better option for you. Consider looking for a personal injury doctor and explain to them the situation and severity of the accident.
You can also ask your general practitioner for a recommendation to a specialist. Your doctor is fully aware that you need a specialist and will do what they can to help you. However, if your doctor remains insistent that they can treat you, you should still try to find a different doctor instead.
3. Check Insurance
Unfortunately, it's no secret that finances can often affect our decisions in these matters. It's far from unheard of for people to not seek medical attention because of money. Maybe it's an inability to afford medical care, or a hesitance to take on medical debt.
If you can do so, check your insurance and make sure that your chosen doctor is covered. Doing so can also help you see what other doctors might land in your budget.
Specialist care can often prove a bit more expensive, but if your insurance can cover it, it can help immensely. Note what is and isn't covered so that you know what to expect when it comes time to pay.
Speak to a representative and see what's covered. Doing so can help you narrow down your search if you're having difficulty.
You also can seek specialists that focus on making you better before anything else. That way, you can get a diagnosis without funds being at the forefront of everything.
While money can present many complications, you must put your health first. Medical debt is a daunting prospect, but spending months in pain - or worse - trumps debt. Do your best to keep your health at the forefront and try to keep an insurance policy that can properly cover you.
4. Ask Questions and Be Honest
Once you've found a doctor, it's important that you ask questions and stay active during the consultation. Many patients go to a doctor and treat the appointment as something happening to them. Doing so can lead to a lack of communication and many misunderstandings.
Instead of just sitting and waiting while the doctor checks you out, ask them questions. Speak about your symptoms and ask how long you should expect to deal with the injuries you're carrying.
Having this open communication can help you know what to expect. It's especially useful if your injuries remain longer than they should. If your doctor tells you that you'll be better in a week and you're still in pain a month later, you know you should likely seek another visit.
Just as important as keeping this lane of communication open is your honesty. Your doctor will ask you more than a few questions as they diagnose and inspect you. These questions help them understand the severity of injuries they can't see, like tissue damage or bruised bones.
Make sure that you're being completely honest with your doctor when answering their questions. A lack of honesty can lead to a misdiagnosis and a continuation of your injury.
Heal from Car Accident Injuries
Getting medical treatment after sustaining car accident injuries can feel overwhelming, but don't stress. Put your health first and get treatment as soon as you can, especially for urgent injuries.
For more information on treatment after an accident, contact us. You can also browse our website to learn more.
Treatment Options for Work Related Injuries
Physical therapy is an industry that's on track to surpass $45 billion soon. This form of treatment, along with chiropractic care, is often used to help people that are recovering from injuries in the workplace. If you're dealing with a worker's compensation case, you'll owe it to yourself to find natural treatments that can give you the total healing that you're looking for.
We're happy to explain. Here's how chiropractic care and physical therapy will help you with your work-related injuries.
Chiropractors Will Help With Neck and Back Injuries
Professionals can provide massage therapy treatments that will help you decrease the pain and tension that you're living with after an accident or injury. Neck and back injuries are two of the main kinds of ailments that people deal with in work injuries. These injuries happen in several circumstances, including:
- Heavy lifting injuries
- Slip and fall accidents
- Repetitive motion injuries
- Car accident trauma
- Prolonged wear and tear injuries
Neck and back injuries are tricky because they connect to so many muscle groups. You are likely to make these injuries worse if you let the injuries go unchecked. Chiropractors will help you out by providing adjustments, offering massages, and several other techniques.
Physical Therapy Will Help You Regain Mobility
You'll often have to take painkillers after a work-related injury. However, physical therapy is the main thing that you need to regain mobility. Your body will become inflamed and will swell up after an accident, which is where physical therapy comes into play.
Physical therapists will get you back used to moving your body, getting the blood flowing, and getting more fluid to your joints. Here are a few of the ways a physical therapist can help you with treatments:
- Weight training, resistance bands, and other types of resistance training
- Treadmill and elliptical work
- Stretching, calisthenics, and mobility workouts
- Water-based resistance and strength training
- Boxes, steps, agility ladders, and lower body strengthening exercises
These exercises grease the joints, build strength, and help you get back to your old habits.
Physical Therapists Help You Avoid Surgery
Avoiding surgery is one of the biggest benefits of working with a physical therapist. Surgeries are expensive and might often require follow-up treatments. With physical therapy, you're building a stronger, better body that is more resilient than it was pre-injury.
Surgeries are an expensive way of healing that can rack up significant medical bills. Physical therapists often specialize in natural treatments that have few side effects. They might incorporate yoga classes to help you elongate your spine and decrease bodily swelling. Surgeries come with long healing times, and you're always dealing with a margin of error.
Both Can Reduce the Need for Painkillers
Whether you're looking into chiropractic care or physical therapy, both are all-natural remedies that can reduce your reliance on painkillers. Surgical procedures and neglecting to heal your injuries correctly will inevitably lead to prolonged painkiller use.
This is a serious issue right now, as upward of 29% of patients with opioid prescriptions abuse the use of these drugs. A dependency on painkillers of any variety can lead to internal organ damage. These pills are also highly addictive and simply mask your pain issues without fixing them.
By sticking to natural treatments that strengthen your body, increase blood flow, and make your body more flexible, you can put the painkillers down and get true healing.
Specialists Will Help With Short-Term and Long-Term Care
Physical therapists and chiropractors can assist you in both the short-term and long-term. Many people think that physical therapists and chiropractors are only involved in serious injuries.
These professionals are helpful even if you're dealing with mild injury issues. A simple chiropractic adjustment can help you maintain posture and reduce the amount of pressure on your spine. A physical therapist can assist you in recovering from a sprain or strain to a fracture or muscle tear.
When you visit one of these professionals, they will put you on a healing plan so that you know your timetable for recovering.
These Services Help You Document Damages
You will also need the help of professionals to increase your chance of winning your work-related injury case. Whether you're taking a worker's compensation case to court, settling it outside of court, or simply collecting data while your job handles the claim, it's important that you document everything.
With each chiropractic or physical therapist appointment, you'll get professional documentation of your injuries and the methods for healing them. Keep tabs on the bills so that you can recoup these costs when you go to court or file a claim.
You Can Receive Alternative Therapy Treatments
Much of the healing you're seeking boils down to increasing blood flow and strengthening your muscles. This can happen via several alternative therapy treatments, such as:
- Cryotherapy
- Underwater therapy
- Simulations and games
- Hot and cold therapies
- Acupuncture and acupressure
Chiropractors and physical therapists often specialize in these kinds of treatments, so be sure to explore your options.
Get Help With Your Work-Related Injuries
The points above will assist you whenever you need help with your work-related injuries. Finding the help of some pros will help you get back to work and allow you to heal thoroughly.
Injury Care Center has long built a legacy of caring that we stand behind. We'd be happy to count you among our next patients. Please use our contact form to get in touch.
Alleviating the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Did you know that 3.1% of the population has had carpal tunnel syndrome within the past twelve months? If you work long hours with your hands, then odds are you’ll struggle with this condition during your lifetime.
Sadly, the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome often make everyday work tasks unbearable. So, what are some ways to ease these symptoms?
If you want to learn the answer to this question, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’ll teach you everything you need to know about living with carpal tunnel syndrome. Let’s get started!
What Are the Symptoms of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
Before we learn about how to ease the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome, it’s important to first learn exactly what the symptoms are.
This syndrome occurs when the median nerve that runs along your forearm and through your carpal tunnel becomes either pinched or compressed. The most common symptom when this happens is a numbness or tingling sensation.
This typically affects the hands and fingers (except for the little finger). You will probably notice this sensation crawling up your arm when you’re doing an activity like steering a car wheel or holding your phone. Sometimes this numbness can go away when you shake it. But, if you leave it untreated for too long, then it can become constant. It’s also common to experience weakness in your hands, or have difficulty for you to grab and hold on to objects.
The last symptom is pain. Carpal tunnel syndrome causes inflammation that affects the nerves. If it gets bad enough, then this pain can impede daily activities. Now let’s inspect how you can ease these symptoms.
1. Ice It Frequently
It’s well known that topical icing is a great way to reduce inflammation in conditions and injuries. So, it makes sense that it helps reduce some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome.
The ice should help reduce some of the pain in your wrist temporarily. Plus, the increased blood flow helps keep any swelling in your tendons down. You can either ice your wrist using a bag, or you can take an ice bath.
Just make sure to keep it in contact for no longer than ten to fifteen minutes. You can do this once or twice an hour.
2. Wear Wrist Splints
Often, carpal tunnel syndrome can be worsened by movement in our sleep. A wrist splint can help with this, and it also prevents you from flexing or overextending. You can also wear it during the day if you want to keep your wrist properly aligned.
If you’re pregnant and suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome, this is a good option since you can’t take certain medications.
3. Inject Corticosteroids
Your healthcare provider may recommend injecting corticosteroids into the area to treat some symptoms. Corticosteroids are an anti-inflammatory drug that reduces swelling in the wrist. It also forces your wrist to stay still while you sleep.
This helps take some pressure off of the median nerve. Oral corticosteroids won’t work with carpal tunnel. Instead, your provider will probably use an ultrasound to inject precisely into the affected area.
4. Warm Water
Warm water might sound simple, but it can bring some lasting relief throughout the day. You can either immerse your hand and forearm under the water, or you can take a hot bath.
Make sure the water is between ninety-two degrees to one hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Then, as you hold your arm under, flex it four to five times. It’s helpful to do this as much as three to four times per day.
5. Pain Management Treatment
Sometimes carpal tunnel syndrome can be so painful that it leads to a lower overall quality of life. If you fall into this category, consider pain management treatment for your syndrome.
This method seeks to use alternatives to pain medication to fight this discomfort. For example, some pain management treatments use things like:
- Yoga
- Acupuncture
- Aromatherapy
- Meditation
- Chiropractor
- Physical therapy doctors
- Nutritional guidelines
Keep in mind that these treatments are used along with conventional medicine to improve your overall quality of life.
No two treatments work for everyone, so you'll have to discover which work for your needs. If you want to learn more, you can check out our guide here.
6. Ergonomic Changes
If you work at your computer all day, then your equipment might worsen your work-related injuries.
Consider investing in chairs, keyboards, and mouses specifically made for people with carpal tunnel syndrome. This can reduce symptoms and slow the worsening of the condition.
When Should You Consider Surgery?
If you’ve tried everything and nothing is working, consider surgery for your carpal tunnel syndrome. The first step is to find an orthopedic physician.
If you visit the Injury Care Center, we can easily refer you to a specialist if other options aren't working. The specialist will help you decide if an operation is the best course of action.
Usually, there are two options to choose from. The first is the less invasive endoscopic surgery, while the other is the more intensive open surgery.
Need Help With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? Contact Injury Care Center
We hope this article helped you learn how to treat some symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. If you find home methods aren’t working for your symptoms, it’s important to seek professional help.
Here at the Injury Care Center, we believe people are entitled to the help they need. That’s why we’ll do everything in our power to help with your condition.
And, if we can’t help, we’ll refer you to specialists that can. Contact us today if you want the carpal tunnel treatment that you deserve.
What Are the Main Types of Diagnostic Testing?
Diagnostic testing is important. It's estimated 46% of those with Type 2 Diabetes don’t know it, and that’s just the start.
Having proper diagnostic testing done can mean the difference between life and death. Almost everyone who goes to the doctor undergoes some kind of test. What are the main diagnostic tests used in modern medicine, and how can they help you?
Let’s look at the tests that you are most likely to have done or need.
What Is a Diagnostic Test?
A diagnostic test is anything done to help determine what is going wrong inside the body. These tests can take many forms, including blood tests and imaging. Modern medicine uses diagnostic testing that is less invasive than once believed possible.
The X-Ray
One of the oldest and most useful forms of diagnostic testing known to modern medicine. X-Rays can see through soft tissue, revealing everything from broken bones to fluid in the lungs. Modern X-Rays have high contrast and can reveal many conditions to a doctor.
MRI
An MRI can peer inside of you, seeing organs and physiological functions as they occur. To do this, an MRI, or magnetic resonance imaging, uses magnetic fields, field gradients, and radio waves. MRIs are on the cutting edge of medical technology and can help for a variety of diagnoses.
MRIs continue to revolutionize medicine, as the ability to see processes as they occur is invaluable in determining what might be going wrong inside the body.
CT Scan
A CT scan, or cat scan, is a type of computer controlled X-Ray. It processes the data received and produces a picture that doctors can look at. This technology has been around longer than the MRI, but is still used in your diagnostic testing center.
CT scans are useful for detecting problems that are developing inside the body. Sometimes they are easier to read than other diagnostic tests. The technology around CT scans is well developed and understood.
Biopsy
A biopsy is when a procedure occurs to collect a biological specimen for testing purposes. Often, this test can determine if a tumor is cancerous. It is an invasive test, often requiring outpatient care but sometimes in-patient care.
Biopsies are important because they can show not just the kind of disease, but also the extent of it in the body. Modern biopsies are often done by collecting nothing more than a few cells for testing.
Colonoscopy
As we get older, the kinds of diagnostic testing we undergo increases. Colonoscopies help so that doctors can determine the condition of the bowels. This test can catch diseases like Crohn’s, as well as cancers like colon cancer.
Doctors recommend that everyone over the age of 40 has a colonoscopy done. One of the key benefits of a diagnostic test like this is it can catch treatable diseases early in their development. This makes recovery and successful treatment far more possible.
Electromyography Tests
These tests analyze the way electrical signals move through nerves and muscle tissue. A high-quality advanced diagnostic testing center can use this to determine the cause and origin of muscle pain and weakness. These tests often involve sending signals through the skin.
Regular electrical traffic is normal in the body, but an EMG test can help to determine if a disease is causing you trouble. Many people suffer in pain for a long time before they get an EMG test, not realizing it could help solve their problem.
Sonograms
While most famous for pregnant women, sonograms are used for many purposes. These tests, done by sonographers, involve using high energy sound waves. These waves go into the body and reflect off structures to produce images.
Sonograms can also help in a therapeutic sense, which is often used by physical therapists or chiropractors. Another common name for the procedure is an ultrasound.
Electrocardiogram
An ECG, or electrocardiogram, is often used to diagnose heart problems. It works by recording the electrical activity that is occurring in your heart. This gives doctors a chance to analyze the information and figure out what is causing your heart trouble.
ECGs are often done when people complain of chest pain or of a rapid heartbeat. They are an important part of the diagnostic process when determining what condition a patient's heart is in.
Our hearts, like all muscles in our body, need steady electrical signals, so understanding them is critical.
Physical Exam
You might not think of a physical exam as a diagnostic test, but it is. The oldest type of diagnostic test, physical exams, can reveal a great deal about symptoms and complications. In most doctor’s offices, a physical exam is done before any other test is undertaken.
Physical exams can cover anything from checking for a hernia to listening for fluid in the lungs. Part of the physical exam is usually done by a nurse, who checks blood pressure and heart rate.
Blood Panel
Testing blood is nothing new, and the most common blood panel is a CBC. A complete blood count can determine levels of white and red blood cells, as well as other compounds in the blood. It can even diagnose many blood diseases that a patient might have.
For these tests, a simple vial of blood is all you have to give. This test is so popular because it covers the entire spectrum of regular blood composition and any deviations.
Diagnostic Testing at Injury Care Center
As you can see, there are a lot of tests, even among those that are common. Having the proper diagnostic testing can mean the difference between an untreated condition and one that is handled. If you have any questions about diagnostic testing, please contact us.
We’d love to help you recover from any injury or issue you’re having, and we can help determine what is going wrong with our state-of-the-art equipment.
7 Types of Alternative Treatments Associated With Pain Management
If you've suffered a painful injury, life may not look the same for you. You'll likely have to go through physical therapy to help regain the use of injured body parts. Sometimes, the injured parts of your body may not work as they did before your accident.
Another unfortunate consequence is that you may suffer from lifelong pain.
The typical approach to pain management usually involves pain killers. Extended treatment most often requires the use of prescription pain medication. While powerful, many of these medications can lead to dependency and addiction.
Many people are also skeptical of the chemicals used to create prescription pain meds. If you would like to learn more about alternative treatments in pain relief, keep reading to find out more.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been a long-practiced method for pain management that dates back to 100 BCE. Chinese doctors believed that illness resulted from an imbalance of energy in the body.
To correct the imbalance, disposable stainless steel needles are used to help stimulate the body's fourteen major meridians.
Pain management doctors believe that acupuncture reduces pain by increasing the release of endorphins, which can help block pain.
Acu-points are the areas where acupuncture specialists insert the needles. These acu-points are believed to live near nerves. When these points are stimulated, the nerves cause a dull ache or feeling of fullness in the muscle.
The muscle sends a message to the central nervous system, which releases endorphins and other neurotransmitters that block pain signals. Acupuncture has been used to help treat headaches, low back pain, menstrual cramps, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and many other conditions.
2. Chiropractic Treatment and Massage
Chiropractic treatment is the most common form of nonsurgical treatment for back pain. Chiropractic treatment has been noted to help ease back pain. For chronic neck and back pain, however, it isn't an effective treatment.
Chiropractic treatment has also been noted to help ease headaches, neck pain, some arm and leg conditions, and whiplash.
Chiropractic treatment involves spinal manipulation, which can include applying pressure to the spine. The spine is a sensitive part of the body, and some people have concerns about the practice. However, serious complications like pinched nerves and worsening herniated discs have rarely been reported.
Massage therapy is also a popular form of advanced pain management. It is primarily used to treat chronic neck and back pain. Massage therapy can help reduce stress and relieve tension by enhancing the body's blood flow.
It also can help reduce chemicals that generate and maintain pain.
3. Pain Management Through Music Therapy
Listening to music can be an effective method for treating chronic pain. Music stimulates feelings of pleasure, which can stimulate the release of endorphins. It also provides a fun distraction so people won't notice their pain.
Music therapy incorporates a psychological and physical approach to treatment. Music therapists get to know their patients by assessing an individual's goals from therapy, along with the kinds of genres of music they enjoy. From there, they adapt their treatment methods to meet those goals.
Treatment methods can include singing songs, writing songs, playing instruments, and listening to music. It's also accessible to everyone regardless of musical skill - or lack thereof.
4. Tai Chi
Tai chi is a mind and body exercise that originated in China. It has been used to promote physical health and stave off disease.
Many people use tai chi for overall wellness, but it also has been used to treat specific medical conditions. It is used most often to treat pain, arthritis, and mental disorders.
Chen-style tai chi has also been used to treat lower back pain. This style of tai chi emphasizes shifting between fast and slow movements. It is believed that these movements increase lumbar spine stimulation and strengthen the lower back.
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that causes pain that also causes other side effects. Some of these side effects include ataxia, impaired balance, and tremors. Multiple tai chi sessions a week over some time can help reduce and ease many of MS' symptoms.
5. The Use of Hypnotherapy
Hypnosis uses cognitive processes, such as the imagination, to allow people to respond to suggestions. These suggestions allow people to experience changes in perceptions, thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and sensations. Hypnosis allows people to use their minds and bodies to manage pain, among other things.
Hypnosis is an effective treatment of the stimuli that cause pain rather than the pain itself. It can also enhance the benefits of other forms of advanced pain management, like physical therapy.
6. Therapeutic Touch and Reiki Healing
These forms of therapy are believed to activate the self-healing process in people, which reduces pain. These energy-based forms of therapy don't use physical touch, but require proximity between the healer and the patient.
Reiki allows healing energy to flow from the healer to the patient. When this occurs, it stimulates relaxation, which can help reduce pain and tension. It also helps reduce stress and anxiety, which can further contribute to pain reduction.
7. Dietary Changes to Treat Pain
By reducing fat intake and incorporating vegetables that reduce inflammation, some people believe dietary changes can help reduce pain. Vegetarian diets may be one of the best dietary methods to help ease pain.
Fibromyalgia and even premenstrual cramps have been treated through vegetarian diets.
A Legacy of Caring
Pain management doesn't always require pills for treatment. Alternative practices such as tai chi, music therapy, and even dietary changes can help promote pain relief. There are plenty of alternative treatments available at a specialized pain management clinic that have the alternative therapies you desire.
Injury Care Center is one such facility. Our pain management doctors are qualified to help you ease your suffering. If you'd like to learn more about our treatment programs, give us a call and we will be happy to assist you.
What to Expect When Visiting an Occupational Health Center
In 2020, there were 2.7 million nonfatal employee-reported workplace injuries and illnesses.
If you are injured while working, it can feel overwhelming. How can you possibly find the time to see a doctor, get your prescription medication, and then find a physical therapist? More often than not, these services are miles apart and can put added stress on your already stressful situation.
This is where an occupational health center comes in. A center for occupational health is a medical facility made up of specialized disciplines. They are dedicated to the well-being and safety of employees in the workplace.
Consider it like a shopping mall; it has everything you want under one roof. To make your first visit as smooth as possible, here are some things to expect.
How Does Occupational Health Work?
Occupational health centers support injury care, employee wellness, pre-employment services, and more.
Occupational health and wellness specialists can help assess an individual's ability to perform the requirements of a specified job safely.
If you are injured during a workplace accident, a center of occupational health will serve as the primary care provider for that injury. Experienced medical doctors will evaluate your injury. After that, they will prescribe any treatments to help in your recovery.
Not all injuries can be solved with traditional treatment. An occupational health center can conduct pain management treatments and alternative treatments to return patients to a high quality of life.
Other alternative treatments, such as yoga, chiropractic therapy, and dietary changes, can be used in conjunction or in place of conventional medicine. Acupuncture, aromatherapy, and meditation can also yield positive results.
What Is an Occupational Health Assessment?
An occupational health assessment is a medical examination of an employee. It is performed by an occupational health professional.
The primary purpose is to assess an employee's physical and mental health, and prevent work-related injuries and illness.
Occupational health assessments are commonly used to determine whether an individual is physically suited for a particular job.
Some jobs require a certain level of physical ability, such as heavy lifting or a high degree of physical exertion. This can include firefighters, lifeguards, military personnel, and construction workers. Think of the duties performed by someone in the military compared to an administrate assistant.
Health checks can be required at various stages of an employee's employment. An employee may be required to undergo an assessment before starting their job or after a workplace injury.
Health screenings are used to determine:
- Employee meets the physical requirements of the job
- Monitor health status when a job involves exposure to health hazards
- Ensure the employee is ready to return to work after an injury
- Establish conditions an injured employee can do to continue working
These assessments can lead to recommendations on what adjustments should be considered to ensure a safe work environment.
What to Expect From Your Health Assessment
An occupational health clinician will perform your health assessment. They will check the information on your referral form and discuss its contents.
You should bring any medical reports about your condition, details of any medication you are currently taking, and any prescription glasses you might wear.
Depending on your work, your health assessment may comprise:
- A blood pressure test
- A urine sample
- An eye test
- A repository health check
- A hearing test
Most occupational health assessments will involve talking about your problems and answering questions. On average, an assessment will take around an hour. For more complex health problems, it might take slightly longer.
It's important to remember that a health assessment aims to ensure you can return to work and continue to do so without affecting your health problems.
You will receive a written report at the end of your final assessment. The written report will specify your plan to return to work, temporary or permanent adjustments to the working environment, and any support that might be needed.
Occupational Health Center Services Performed for Employers
Employers have a duty of care to ensure the health and safety of their employees, including their physical and mental health. A good employer should take this seriously.
A pre-employment medical assessment is often used to assess an individual's ability to perform their job requirements safely.
An occupational health center can perform a pre-employment medical assessment. They include:
- DOT testing
- Workplace assessments
- Lung function testing
- Respiratory examination
- Vision assessment
- Cardiovascular examination
An assessment can help employers make plans and policies that focus on their employee's health. These policies aim to make recommendations on minimizing injury, enhancing recovery, and mitigating any dangers of permanent injuries.
Why Choose Injury Care Center?
Unfortunately, workplace injuries can still happen even with the best policies in place. When they do, an occupational health center can help patients achieve recovery milestones.
At the Injury Care Center (ICC), we offer several essential services. They include:
- Pain management
- Physical therapy
- Chiropractic care
- Massage and manual therapy
- Medical equipment (DME)
- Specialist referral
- Diagnostic testing
ICC believes that rehabilitation should be tailored to the individual and address all concerns they may have while working to re-establish function.
We understand how disruptive a work injury can have on your life. Our goal is to help injured employees benefit the most when it's time to return to work.
Take the First Step
Whether you've been in a car accident or sustained an injury at work, we can help you.
At ICC, we are a full-service medical occupational health center. We provide personalized healthcare following work injuries and car accidents. We work to treat whiplash, concussion, back, neck, arm, leg pain, and orthopedic injury.
We believe everybody deserves the right to quality healthcare. Whether you're a truck driver or a construction worker, you deserve to be adequately treated.
Our fully licensed and qualified team can help you get back on your feet. Don't let pain hold you back. Contact us today and take control of your life.
6 Key Elements of Patient-Centered Care
We feel patient-centered care shouldn't be optional. With medical care, it is the patient who is in need. It's natural to prioritize them, focusing on providing the best treatment possible.
Several key elements can factor into the quality of a patient's care. The following six represent some of the most important qualities of an ideal treatment model.
1. Doctor Familiarity
Patient-centered care requires that the doctors who treat you have a familiarity with your needs. After all, a patient-centered care model puts a patient first. This requires you to be the focus by design.
With our facilities, we take in a significant number of work-related injuries. The list of common work-related injuries is long, so our doctors work hard to stay familiar with what is likely to come in.
Patient-centered care avoids a "one-size-fits-all" approach. When a patient comes in, a doctor treats them as an individual. The solution the doctor comes up with is tailored to that patient's unique needs and situation.
2. Evidence-Backed Medicine
A good deal of modern medical practices have to do with trends. Patients read about a new treatment popular with celebrities or pushed by a TV doctor, and then medical facilities provide.
Popular and even expensive treatments aren't inherently ineffective. At the same time, neither price nor popularity promise results either. If a care provider wants the best for patients, all that matters is evidence.
If modern studies and best practices say a particular approach is ideal, a patient should get that care. If a patient wants something else, they are at least first owed an explanation why the doctor suggested the original treatment.
A patient has the final say over what they consent to, but patient-centered care ensures they at least stay informed.
3. Attentive, Trained Staff
What is patient-centered care if the staff involved in their treatment aren't adequately trained? The people working at a care center need to be attentive and know how best to do their duties.
The most obvious place where this matters is with doctors and nurses. These people make big decisions about the treatment of patients, which can have long-lasting consequences. However, other staff matter too.
If a person is involved in the patient's treatment process, even if they only process paperwork, they're still important. Misfiled paperwork can cause major problems for insurance, which has the potential to seriously affect a patient.
We're proud of our team for a reason. We take special care to make sure they maintain the appropriate level of expertise in their field and have familiarity with our procedures. Patients deserve the best.
4. Good Pain Management
While not a major problem in every kind of care, pain management is often overlooked. In medicine, pain exists in a strange place because it can dramatically affect lives, but isn't always dangerous.
Some medical professionals underestimate how pain is harming a patient. It can make life emotionally very difficult, hurt your sleep, and prevent you from working. Patient-centered care requires good pain management.
We believe good pain management is a balancing act. No patient deserves to live in pain. At the same time, we know that pain medications have their own risks that we also don't ignore.
Like so much in medicine, good pain management is tailored to the patient. The goal is to help them live the fullest life they can.
5. Solid Recovery/Aftercare
Somewhat related to pain management, but important enough to warrant its own section, is aftercare. A patient-centered model can't end as soon as the patient leaves the facility.
Tracking the recovery of a patient after their initial treatment is important. Sometimes recovery is slower than expected or unexpected issues arise. Someone not trained in medicine won't always know what "normal" recovery looks like.
By following up with a patient, a facility can make sure everything is going smoothly. If any issues are detected, it can be early in the process. This usually makes solving them significantly easier.
Good medical care doesn't stop until the patient's quality of life is as high as modern medicine can allow for. Aftercare is a critical step in that journey.
6. Empathy
While a broad point, the necessity of empathy in patient-centered care needs to be emphasized. Treatment facilities cannot lose track of the human being in their care. A person is more than their immediate medical issues.
At a basic level, this means things like having staff with good bedside manners. Getting treated for serious medical issues can represent a very stressful experience. Empathy makes getting through it much easier.
Having empathy for patients means explaining things clearly and clarifying any confusion. While patients cannot always understand the specifics of medicine, there is usually a way to explain enough that they know what is happening.
It also means, when possible, addressing their fears. If a patient is worried something may hurt or cause them anxiety, staff owe them a breakdown of the situation.
Patient-Centered Care Made Easy
To us, patient-centered care feels like the natural approach to medicine. The patient is the most important part of the treatment process. It stands to reason they get prioritized.
If you have an interest in getting treated for an injury, read more about our patient-care facilities. You can learn what we offer and see the many ways we can help.
What Are the Benefits of Massage Therapy?
In 2018, over 47.5 million people got massages in the United States. Massages provide many more benefits other than relaxation. In fact, many health care providers will recommend that their patients get massages to help improve their health conditions.
Massage therapy can help with everything from injury rehab to work-related injuries and even car accident injuries.
Do you want to learn more about how medical massage therapy can improve your well-being? Keep reading this article to learn more about the top benefits of massage therapy!
Lowers Stress
One of the primary reasons people visit a massage therapist is that they can help you lower your stress. When you are dealing with stress, it can have long-term effects on your body.
Getting a massage from a massage therapist can help you relieve your stress, as well as treat the conditions that are associated with stress, like tension headaches.
As you get a massage, you will find that you have increased endorphins and serotonin. Massage therapy can also help you decrease the stress hormone, known as cortisol.
Improves Circulation and Energy
Another important benefit of massage therapy is that it can help you improve your blood circulation. Good circulation is necessary to heal damaged or sore muscles, as they provide oxygenated blood that your muscles need to heal.
As you get a massage, your massage therapist will use manual pressure to move the blood through congested areas of your body. This will lead to better circulation in your entire body and will help your muscles relax.
Having improved circulation will also help you increase your energy. This is because your blood will provide nutrients and oxygen to each part of your body, making it easier to move your body.
Improves Immunity
Next, massage therapy can improve the function of your immune system.
One reason massages improve immunity is that they increase the activity of your body's T cells, which are the cells that help your body fight viruses. Plus, regular massage therapy can improve your blood flow.
As your blood circulation improves, your body will flush the toxins out of your body and increase the activity of your white blood cells. This will help your body fight diseases and other sicknesses.
Finally, getting a lymphatic massage can help you improve your immune function. It helps you drain fluid from your body into your blood circulation and can get rid of waste in your cells.
Massage therapy will also increase the production of lymphocytes in your blood, which is a type of white blood cell that defends your body from illness and diseases.
Helps With Pain Management & Muscle Tension
Many people get massages to help ease their pain. Because of this, many doctors will recommend massage therapy to help with chronic pain or to ease pain from other conditions, like cancer.
First, massage therapy will help relax your muscles and will decrease your tension. This will help your body relax and will ease your pain.
Plus, massage therapy helps improve your circulation. This increased blood flow will encourage faster healing and will remove waste products from your cells. During your massage, the manual treatment and pressure will help you facilitate healing.
If you are dealing with muscle soreness, strain, or even joint pain, getting a massage can help provide temporary relief.
Finally, massage therapy can help you relax both your mind and body, which may block your pain receptors and ease your pain. If you are looking for a solution for your pain management, getting regular massage therapy can help.
Improves Flexibility
Getting a massage can also help improve your range of motion and increase your flexibility! This is especially true with sports massage, as this focuses on improving your movement functionality.
Plus, the improved circulation from massage can help your muscles relax, which makes it easier to move them.
Helps With Mental Health
Massage therapy also can be a solution for those who struggle with their mental health. Getting regular massages can help you lower your stress hormone, also known as cortisol.
Plus, massages can help increase serotonin and dopamine in your brain. Each of these additional benefits can help make you happier and improve your overall mental health.
Improves Sleep
Finally, massage therapy can help you improve your sleep. Whether you have a sleeping condition or simply want to have better sleep, massage therapy is a superb choice.
As mentioned before, massage therapy can help your muscles relax and it can lower your stress and anxiety. Because massages lead to increased serotonin production, you will also feel more calm feelings after your massage. This makes it easier to fall asleep.
If you want to overcome insomnia or other sleep-related issues, massage therapy is a great way to do this without having to take medication.
There are many self-massage routines you can follow to improve your circulation and relax.
Experience the Benefits of Massage Therapy Today
Massage therapy provides many benefits, from pain management to improved mental health and more. If injured, finding a care center that offers massage therapy can help you recover.
Do you want to learn more about the benefits of massage therapy programs? Injury Care Center can help! Our team provides our patients with access to the best doctors, physical therapists, and traveling massage therapists.
Contact our team today to learn about the benefits of massage therapy and to book an appointment with our massage therapists.
Injury Rehab: How to Recover After a Work-Related Injury
Work-related injuries happen all the time. But this doesn't mean you have to be a victim, or suffer from long-term pain or health complications if you are.
If you're injured on the job, it's your employer's responsibility to see that you're rightfully compensated and receive the injury rehab you deserve. However, you want to ensure that you know how to advocate for yourself and receive the recovery rehabilitation that you deserve, too.
Learn more about common work-related injuries, what your employer's role is in helping you recover, and your own role in the rehabilitation process.
Common Work-Related Injuries
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics states that some of the most common injuries that occur in the workplace include cuts, lacerations, slips, falls, sprains, strains, fractures, and tears. Along with this, repetitive strain injury, shoulder injury, and carpal tunnel are also common.
However, the most common workplace injury among them all is actually lower back pain. In fact, it's the most prevalent workplace related injury across the globe. And the culprit often includes repetitive strain motion, including heavy lifting, pushing, pulling, and desk work.
The Role of Your Employer in Injury Rehab
As mentioned earlier, your employer plays a key role in your rehabilitation after an injury in the workplace. It's actually their responsibility to ensure you receive the right care for however long you need.
Many workplaces offer approved access to rehabilitation providers who can address issues related to physical, functional, emotional, and psychological injury.
It's mandatory that your employer provide you with the right type of work that suits your work capacity and recovery, post-injury. They should discuss your work expectations with you, their insurer, and your medical practitioner. Most large companies offer a coordinator to facilitate this process.
Remember, it's illegal for your employer to dismiss you because of a work-related injury. It's also illegal for them to offer you an incentive instead of filing a valid worker's compensation claim.
Your Role in Injury Rehabilitation
Your role is to focus on your own recovery as much as possible. This will allow you to recover quicker and return to work as soon as possible.
It's also important to seek the right medical professionals who can assist you with the best chance of a full recovery. Whether you follow recommendations from your employer or seek these professionals on your own.
These support services play a huge role in your recovery and increasing your work capacity over time.
Building the Right Medical Team
Depending on the type and extent of your injury, you'll need to have the right medical professionals on your side. In many cases, occupational injuries require ongoing treatment for the best possible recovery.
Some key professionals that might fall into your medical team include:
- A physiotherapist
- An occupational therapist
- A chiropractor
- A pain management expert
- A massage therapist
Whether you require the expertise of one or more of these professionals, you should have a recovery plan to follow. This recovery plan should cover your re-entry to work and focus on managing your rehabilitation through building strength and mobility.
All-in-all, you want this recovery plan to help you feel stronger, safer, confident, and prepared to return to the workplace.
Maximizing Your Rehab Sessions
Ideally, you want to squeeze everything you can out of your rehabilitation appointments. This is important for a full recovery and especially if your medical team is not familiar with your job role.
So, it's up to you to help them understand by:
- Supplying a thorough description of what you do daily during work hours
- Going over the specifics of your job, the requirements, and what you feel you can and cannot manage
If you're unable to return to work for some time, your medical provider should advise on how to maintain your rehab independently. This way, you can work on your recovery on your own as well.
Supporting Your Recovery at Work
Once you're cleared to return to work (in some capacity) it's still important to maintain your recovery. You might be able to return to work and perform some of your previous tasks, but not all of them. Not rushing back to everything is an important part of your recovery plan.
You'll need to work with your employer, their insurer, and your medical team to plan out the tasks you're able to cover. Your first step is to:
Set Realistic Goals
If you plan to ''recover at work'', which is often the most preferable option, set realistic goals about what you can manage. Your physiotherapist or other medical professionals should play a big role in helping you set these goals.
You might have the intention of returning to the exact same position and duties you had prior to your injury. But sometimes, this might not be possible. You want to take into consideration your medical team's estimation of your work capacity and adjust your role accordingly.
Adjust How and When You Work
It's also the job of your employer to provide you with a suitable job match according to your work capacity. Your new role should support your rehabilitation in every way. Even if this means performing at the minimum in order to maximize your recovery.
For example, your employer could tweak your job role in the following manner:
- Allow you to perform the same job, but with reduced or different working hours
- Change your duties to suit your capabilities
- Offer a different role completely
- Offer you a training opportunity that supports your recovery, allowing you to learn a new role
- A combination of all the above
When working with your employer and medical team to adjust your role, you want to keep the following top-of-mind:
- The physical demands of the job
- Your physical capabilities
- The practicality of your duties and how they support your rehab
- The cognitive demands of the job
- Your cognitive ability
- The overall work environment (Is it safe enough to support your recovery?)
Along with all the above, your employer should also consider risk management. It's important to talk with them about how they plan to change or eliminate any potential risks in the workplace to support you and prevent further injury.
Find the Rehab Support You Need With Injury Care Center
Struggling with an occupational injury and need a medical team on your side to support your rehabilitation? Look no further than the Injury Care Center.
With state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and staff, you're guaranteed to make the full recovery you deserve. We offer many types of pain management techniques. Contact our team to begin your recovery today.