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Chiropractors and MDs Can Share in Post Motor Vehicle Injury Recovery
| Neck and back pain are extremely common complaints, responsible for many days taken off from work and the cause of general discomfort for scores of people, nationwide. In fact, one half of working Americans reports having some back pain each year. Motor vehicle accidents are a leading cause of neck injuries and the pain that accompanies them. And, while the increased use of seatbelts has decreased the number of injuries due to violent contact, the number of soft tissue injuries in the neck has increased. Such neck and back injuries are a common reason for visiting MDs or a chiropractor. "I work with several regional medical practices in the Asheville, NC area," says Dr. David Nygaard of Atlas Family Chiropractic. "Often, we work alongside physicians to manage patients' pain and to collaborate to prescribe a treatment plan to meet the patients' specific needs. Why Take a Chiropractic Approach? Automobile accidents frequently cause whiplash, during which the head is thrust forward in a sudden motion, causing stiffness and pain that can worsen if left untreated. One study released by the California Chiropractic Association (CCA) revealed that sufferers who were treated by a chiropractor within one week of an auto accident got better results than those who waited longer to seek treatment. While pain medications prescribed by doctors can alleviate symptoms, the manual manipulation that a chiropractor performs can help the body's healing process. Treating the source of the pain is important for long-term recovery. Dr. Nygaard explains the importance of seeking treatment for a neck injury quickly after an auto accident. "An inflammation reaction that occurs in the initial aftermath of an injury to the neck will cause scars and adhesions to form. The presence of these scars and adhesions make it more difficult to relieve the patient's pain through treatment." Dr. Nygaard encourages people to see a chiropractor sooner rather than later to maximize treatment results. Untreated pain can cause further injury to the vertebral joints, muscles and nerve roots. How Can Chiropractic Treatment Help? The cervical spine is especially vulnerable to injury in an auto accident. "The cervical spine extends from the base of the skull down to seven small vertebrae. It bears the weight of the head, which makes it easily susceptible to injury," says Dr. Nygaard. The basic theory underlying chiropractic treatment is that when the structure of the body is properly aligned, it is better able to heal. Treatment generally involves one or more manual manipulations of the spine. The chiropractor uses a controlled force to improve the quality and range of motion of joints. Treatment may also include applying ice or heat to affected areas, massage, stretching and electrical stimulation. To treat pain caused by an auto accident, Dr. Nygaard uses specific X-ray analysis to locate affected areas and delivers gentle light force instrument adjustments that are painless. Treatment can help decrease pain and improve movement at the area of injury. Another study published in the Journal of the CCA showed that 83 percent of patients involved in the study reported their pain as "much improved" after chiropractic treatment. The number of treatments necessary depends on the extent of the injury. Patients who complain of headache and/or low back pain in addition to neck pain usually need more treatments than patients who present with only neck pain. Patients with persistent pain may need to continue treatments every few months on a long term basis to maintain the level of improvement. For more information visit: http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net |
About the Author
Bryan Sullivan is the Executive Vice President of Write Away, Inc. - Editorial and content firm based in Weaverville, NC. He is the Feature Editor of Action Pursuit Games Magazine, Editor of Grilled Magazine. He also often writes for regional & national publications about local history, farming, culture and food. He graduated with a degree in communications from Alfred University in New York State and then went on to attend culinary school in NYC where he graduated in the top percent of his class. He proceeded to work in high-end restaurants in New York City, Martha's Vineyard, MA and Naples, FL. Bryan currently lives in Asheville, NC with Liisa and their Black Lab, Annie.
For more information visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net
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