Car Accident, Auto Accidents, Accident, Car Crash, Lawyers?? What to do first??
If you are in an automobile accident the first thing to do is see if everyone is all right. If anyone is unconscious, bleeding or stuck in a car call 911 for Fire and or ambulance. Stop any bleeding as soon as possible and it is usually safest to leave the person where they are until EMS comes. If all are alert and ambulatory, keep your calm and either wait for police or exchange insurance information. If you are not at fault, be sure you get the license number and drivers license information. In today's technology world most cell phones have cameras. A few pictures of the scene, damages and others involved can be helpful in the future. Be sure to email them to yourself if possible and you will have a permanent record.SEVERE INJURY, loss of consciousness, lacerations that are bleeding, pain radiating into the arms or legs , or moderate dizziness its always safest to go to the emergency room as soon as possible. The quickest route is by ambulance. Do not drive if you feel woozy as you may pass out at the wheel.
Mild to moderate injuries with mild headache, neck and back ache without passing out and you have the ability to fully move around its OK to go home and see your Doctor the next day. If symptoms get worse, the emergency room, Urgent Care and your local Chiropractor are usually only a few minutes away.
RICE the injuries: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. It is normal for pain to be a bit worse the next morning. If you are having headaches, Neck, Back pain see your Chiropractor or PCP for evaluation. Chiropractors specialise in treating trauma to the spine and studies show patients are happier with the care compared to taking medications. Your PCP or Chiropractor will guide you to where you need to be. Below is an article from the ACA describing Whiplash or neck injuries due to an acceleration injury. Feel free to call me or stop by, my cell phone is 954-336-0776.
Dr Cliff Fruithandler DC
Your Margate Chiropractor & Acupucturist
Located in Northwest Medical Center Plaza
Here is a synopsis of what Whiplash is from the American Chiropractic Association.
Whiplash
Whiplash is a generic term applied to
injuries of the neck caused when the neck is suddenly and/or violently
jolted in one direction and then another, creating a whip-like movement.
Whiplash is most commonly seen in people involved in motor vehicle
accidents, but it can also occur from falls, sports injuries, work
injuries, and other incidents.
What structures are injured in a whiplash?
Whiplash injuries most often result in sprain-strain of the neck. The
ligaments that help support, protect, and restrict excessive movement of
the vertebrae are torn, which is called a sprain. The joints in the
back of the spine, called the facet joints, are covered by ligaments
called facet capsules, which seem to be particularly susceptible to
whiplash injury.
In addition, the muscles and tendons are strained�stretched beyond their normal limits. The discs between the vertebrae, which are essentially ligaments, can be torn, potentially causing a disc herniation. The nerve roots between the vertebrae may also be stretched and become inflamed. Even though it is very rare, vertebrae can be fractured and/or dislocated in a whiplash injury.
What are the common signs and symptoms of whiplash?
The most common symptoms of whiplash are pain and stiffness in
the neck. These symptoms are generally found in the areas that are
whip-lashed. For example, during a whiplash, first the head is lifted
up from the upper-cervical spine. This creates a sprain/strain in the
region just below the skull, where symptoms usually occur. Symptoms may
also commonly be seen in the front and back of the neck. Turning the
head often makes the pain and discomfort worse.
Headache, especially at the base of the skull, is also a common symptom, seen in more than two thirds of patients. These headaches may be one-sided (unilateral) or experienced on both sides (bilateral). In addition, the pain and stiffness may extend down into the shoulders and arms, upper back, and even the upper chest.
In addition to the musculoskeletal symptoms, some patients also experience dizziness, difficulty swallowing, nausea, and even blurred vision after a whiplash injury. While these symptoms are disconcerting, in most cases, they disappear within a relatively short time. If they persist, it is very important to inform your doctor that they are not resolving. Vertigo (the sensation of the room spinning) and ringing in the ears may also be seen. In addition, some patients may feel pain in the jaw. Others will even complain of irritability, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. These symptoms also resolve quickly in most cases. In rare cases, symptoms can persist for weeks, months, or even years.
Another important and interesting aspect of whiplash is that the signs and symptoms often do not develop until 2 to 48 hours after the injury. This scenario is relatively common but not completely understood. Some speculate that it may be due to delayed muscle soreness, a condition seen in other circumstances.
How is whiplash treated?
Staying active
One of the most important aspects of whiplash management is for the
patient to stay active, unless there is some serious injury that
requires immobilization. Patients should not be afraid to move and be
active, within reason. In addition, your doctor will often prescribe an
exercise or stretching program. It is particularly important to follow
this program as prescribed, so that you can achieve the best long-term
benefits.
Chiropractic manipulation and physical therapy
Ice and/or heat are often used to help control pain and reduce the
muscle spasm that results from whiplash injuries. Other physical therapy
modalities, such as electrical stimulation and/or ultrasound, may
provide some short-term relief. They should not, however, replace an
active-care program of exercise and stretching. Spinal manipulation
and/or mobilization provided by a chiropractor can also give relief in
many cases of neck pain.
Generally speaking, whiplash cannot be prevented, but there are some things that you can do while in a motor vehicle that may reduce the chances of a more severe injury. Always wear restraints (lap or shoulder belt), and ensure that the headrest in your vehicle is adjusted to the appropriate height.
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