If you’re new to the world of chiropractic care you may find yourself with a lot of questions.
Chiropractic is one of those issues that everyone has an opinion on, even if they don’t really know the facts.
If you’re interested in a simple overview with solid answers that will help you decide if chiropractic care will benefit you (it will), and what you should expect during your first visit, this is the guide for you.
Here are a few of the most commonly asked questions people have before they visit their chiropractor for the first time:
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A CONCUSSION?
Concussions can occur during rapid acceleration and deceleration of the head. This most commonly occurs in sports, falls, or car accidents. During the whipping motion of the brain rapidly accelerates and decelerates causing injury to the brain. Blood flow to the brain is reduced and the brain experiences and ‘energy deficit.’ Common concussion symptoms may include some or all of these symptoms: mental fogginess, forgetfulness, headaches, difficulty concentrating, irritability, difficulty sleeping, nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I SUSPECT I HAVE A CONCUSSION?
Chances are if you’ve ever had a concussion you were probably recommended to rest. Current research actually shows that resting after a concussion can lead to prolonged concussion symptoms (PCS). The most important indicator to a positive outcome after a concussion is to seek evaluation and treatment from an educated source. The sooner treatment by a qualified professional, the better the long term outcomes. The current recommendation from the most recent international consensus guidelines is symptom limited activity within the first 24 to 48 hours. This means that patients should return to normal activities as soon as possible, as long as symptoms do not increase with activity.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE A WHIPLASH INJURY?
Whiplash is easily one of the most common auto accident injuries. This painful injury can occur at speeds under 5 mph. Whiplash occurs when the impact of an accident forces your neck backwards or forwards quickly. Although many people just brush off such an injury, serious damage can occur. The whipping action jerks the cervical spine and muscles, which may cause micro-tearing and pain after a period of time. If you feel stiff, sore, pain in the neck area, or limited mobility, it is strongly advised to see a chiropractor. These symptoms can lead to recurring headaches and migraines, difficulty focusing on daily tasks, and poor sleep quality.
WHAT DOES CONCUSSION TREATMENT CONSIST OF?
Concussions are common after car accidents and with contact sports. Evidence based concussion treatment consists of 5 basic interventions which are non-invasive and conservative in nature. First, exercise! That’s right we want to start exercising as soon as possible to assist in increasing and returning blood flow to the brain. A qualified concussion expert will test your aerobic demand and tolerances by performing a test on a treadmill to assess your body’s ability to adapt after sustaining a concussion. Second, manual therapy and neck rehab. This will consist of exercises, manipulation, and some form of manual therapy to address abnormal tone and texture in the neck musculature. Third, nutritional advice. Concussions symptoms are cause by a metabolic disruption in the brain. As a result you will want to avoid pro-inflammatory foods such as red meat, refined sugars, and artificial sweeteners and replace them with healthier options like green leafy vegetables, fresh fish (omega-3s), and good fats (nuts, flax seed, avocados). Fourth, vestibular and visual rehab. A thorough assessment will determine which specific exercises you will need to perform and most of the rehab can be done in the comfort of your home. Fifth, and finally, education and reassurance. Understanding you’re the nature of your condition, how we’re going to help you manage it, and that concussion prognoses are good, when properly managed will help keep you on the road to recovery.
WHY VISIT A CHIROPRACTOR INSTEAD OF A DOCTOR?
Chiropractic doctors are well-trained professionals, especially in car accident recovery. They use treatments like hands-on spinal manipulation, local manual therapy (similar to massage), and specific exercises which can help improve function and alleviate pain. Spinal manipulation, otherwise known as the osteopathic manipulative treatment, is a common chiropractic technique used for back injuries. It is non-invasive and helps to return normal function to the spine. Chiropractors focus on education, improving function, and decreasing pain. Chiropractic care is also significantly cheaper than undergoing surgery.
I DON’T FEEL PAIN, BUT I DON’T FEEL LIKE MY NORMAL SELF. WHAT SHOULD I DO?
Immediately following a car accident, many “small” injuries take place that may go unnoticed for an extended period of time. Due to the high activity and surprise, your high adrenaline levels probably masked many minor but significant injuries directly following the accident. After the body has rested, abnormal aches and pains may make themselves apparent. Despite the absence of pain, it is still imperative to visit a chiropractor. Many people brush off treatment, only to experience increasing pain in the latter weeks. Seeing us directly after your injury will allow us to quickly determine what body parts need attention.y.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR MY INJURIES TO BE HEALED?
This question is best answered on a case by case basis. It depends on the extent of the injuries and the patient’s natural ability to recover. Every individual has a different health history and mechanism of injury. Because if this, it is important to be evaluated as soon as possible in order to assess what injuries may have occurred Visiting Northwest injury Clinics in Pasco & Kennewick, WA is an investment in yourself. By setting time aside for recovery, you will be able to help you on your road to recovery as quickly as possible.
WHY IS CHIROPRACTIC CARE SO EFFECTIVE?
Chiropractic care for auto injuries is effective because spinal adjustments address the fundamental injuries that occur in these types of injuries. Auto accidents can injure muscles/tendons, affect movement and function, and disrupt normal things about life that we take for granted. Chiropractic care helps to restore function to the joints of the spine, manual therapy helps address injuries that may have occurred in the surrounding muscles, and exercises help to maintain movement and function after treatment. .
WHAT IS CHIROPRACTIC?
Chiropractic care is a profession with a scope of practice to help assess, diagnose, and treat musculoskeletal conditions. Chiropractic treatment focuses on identifying abnormal, and sometimes limited, function of the body and applying various interventions to help restore movement and function to the body. Many believe that chiropractic is strictly limited to spinal manipulation (adjustments), but this is not entirely true. Spinal manipulation is a common intervention at Northwest Injury Clinics but is also complemented by specific exercises and manual therapy treatments. Evidence for the efficacy of spinal manipulation is growing, but limited. Current research supports the combination of a multimodal (a combination of exercise, manual therapy, and spinal manipulation) approach to treating musculoskeletal injuries as being better than just manipulation (adjustments) alone.
WHAT IS AN ADJUSTMENT?
A chiropractic adjustment, or spinal manipulation, is a procedure where a trained specialist (chiropractor) uses their hands, a small instrument or a specialized table to apply a controlled force to a certain area of the body. Regular adjustments aid the body in maintaining normal ranges of motion as injuries to the body heal. They also feel great and provide local pain relief.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT MY FIRST TIME?
For your first visit, you can expect a thorough examination including a medical history, a physical exam with particular attention being paid to the spine, and possibly other tests, including x-rays. Your chiropractor will assess your complaint, diagnose the problem and discuss a treatment plan with you. An adjustment, some form of massage, and specific exercises may be a part of the treatment that you receive. Expect your chiropractor to speak with you at length about ways for you to live a healthier life, with positive emphasis on things that you are doing right, and encouragement to change things that will improve your physical well-being.