Automobile Accidents

Chiropractic Care for Accident Injuries

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So you got into a car accident. The pain can be anywhere from your neck, upper, mid, and lower back, headaches, and places you didn't even know existed!  Now is the difficult decision...who will make you feel better?

Chiropractic is the only profession which addresses injuries to your neck and back. We examine and begin the repair process to bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Your initial examination will include a complete history, examination (including x-rays if necessary).


Treatment in the early stages of injury include gentle and specific spinal adjustments to the affected vertebrae, and passive soft tissue modalities such as ice, moist heat, electrical stimulation, laser, and massage.  As you improve, active therapy is introduced to strengthen the musculature of the neck and back to create a supportive structure. If there are disc injuries causing nerve compression; spinal traction (decompression therapy) can be incorporated to relieve nerve pressure caused by a disc herniation.  

Chiropractic combined with physical therapy is the most effective approach to all soft tissue injuries. 

Most soft tissue injury treatment can last 8-12 months depending of the severity of the injuries.  At the end of treatment, you will hopefully feel as good - if not better - than you felt prior to the accident.  

Dr. Mike Burak welcomes patients with car accident injuries. He is board certified by the National Board of Chiropractic Examiners and has been licensed in the state of Pennsylvania since 1996. He treats patients as he would treat his own family, because he believes that when you receive treatment here, you are part of his family.


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Crashes & Whiplash

Car crashes, collisions, and minor fender benders are the major causes of whiplash. The ill effects of a whiplash injury can occur instantly or it could be weeks, months or even years before symptoms occur. Injuries to the neck caused by a sudden movement (head forward, back, or sideways) is commonly referred to as "whiplash" or "acceleration/deceleration injuries". 

Literally thousands of pounds of force is exerted upon the neck and spine of the whiplash victim. These forces result in tearing of muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and in turn, can result in a displacement of the vertebrae of the spine (subluxation) which is a dysfunctional joint causing nerve irritation (pinched spinal nerves). The results of such injuries can cause neck pain, shoulder and arm pain or numbness, elbow and hand pain or numbness, mid back pain, headaches, dizziness, and blurred vision. 

The injured areas lose the ability to function and loss of range of motion (stiffness) occurs. The body attempts to adapt and symptoms can appear anywhere from the moment the injury occurred until weeks or even months later.

Pain, Why Me?

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Pain is an indicator that a problem exists within our bodies. Without pain our bodies could not tell us that there is an injury and that there is something wrong. Usually the absence of pain and swelling after injury is an exceedingly poor indicator of healing tissue. Most minor to moderate whiplash injuries are overlooked by the patient, the hospital, and even the patient's family medical provider due to the lack of initial pain. One week up to 2 months after the injury, the patient continues to have pain or the pain worsens, is when most people begin to realize that the injury is much worse than they had imagined.

Effects of Improper Treatment

Improper treatment of whiplash injuries and all soft tissue injuries is a factor in about 50% of the patient's that finally present themselves to our clinic. Some patients are given a soft cervical collar by their medical doctor. If this collar is worn too long, the collar itself can further weaken supportive muscles and actually lengthen recovery time. 

If a muscle, ligament, tendon, or joint is subjected to prolonged immobilization after injury or surgery this can have significant and profound negative effects. If a fracture is present the patient is to be first seen by Orthopedic or Neuro Surgeon to rule out spinal cord injury and will more than likely have to wear a special collar/halo until the fracture is healed. Once the fractured vertebrae are healed the patient should be sent to a physical therapist to minimize the negative effects of the prolonged immobilization of the soft tissues. 

Most MD's and DO's prescribe muscle relaxers, pain medications, and anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDS) first and skip sending the injured patient to our clinic all together. These physicians need to be educated in soft tissue injuries and the phases of healing described below.

The 3 Phases of Healing

There are 3 phases of healing that our bodies must undergo in any type of injury. Chiropractic combined with physical therapy is the most effect approach to all soft tissue injuries.

The initial phase of healing (Acute Inflammatory Phase) usually lasts 24 to 72 hours and ice (Cryotherapy) and immobilization (Neck Brace) is essential during this phase.

The next phase of healing (Regeneration Phase) begins around 3 to 5 days post injury and can last up to 3-6 months. Chiropractic care combined with passive modalities is crucial to achieve maximum improvement of joint function during this phase of healing. This is when damaged tissue is replaced by new tissue (Collagen). Mobilization to the injured joints (chiropractic care) is essential to proper healing during this phase of care.

The third and final phase of care (Remodeling Phase) begins about 2 to 4 weeks after the injury and can last longer than 1 year in very severe cases. Remodeling overlaps the regeneration phase of healing and this is when chiropractic and physical therapy is combined. Remodeling is when new tissue (Collagen) begins and continues to strengthens. It is essential to be seeing a physical therapist 2 to 4 weeks post injury to reduce recovery time during the remodeling phase. Always remember chiropractic and therapeutic rehabilitation first, medicine second, and surgery last.

Chiropractic & Therapeutic Rehabilitation

Chiropractic combined with therapeutic rehabilitation is the most appropriate approach to these types of injuries. Chiropractic care utilizes specific bone manipulations (Adjustments) to help normalize spinal function. This is crucial in the beginning phases of healing to bring back proper motion. However return of functional joint motion usually requires 2-3 months of chiropractic care. Physical therapy is also crucial in allowing the body to heal properly beginning about 2-4 weeks post injury and utilizes active care. Active care allows the soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, and tendons) to heal most effectively with minimal scar tissue. Physical therapy can take from a few months up to a year to complete the healing process. Modalities/therapies (Passive Care) such as ice, hot packs, electrical muscle stimulation, ultrasound, traction, etc. are also utilized to compliment the different phases of the healing process while undergoing both chiropractic care and physical therapy.

What Should I Do If I'm In a Car Accident?

1.  STOP. MAKE SURE YOU ARE OK.
2. ASSIST THE INJURED 
3. PROTECT THE SCENE - TO PREVENT FURTHER INJURY 
4. CALL AN OFFICER - LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT 
5. KEEP NOTES - STRICTLY TO YOURSELF 
6. ASSIST THE OFFICER - GIVE BASIC FACTS 
7. IDENTIFY THE OTHER DRIVER 
8. OBTAIN WITNESSES INFORMATION 
9. ARREST DOES NOT INDICATE LIABILITY 
10. DO NOT LEAVE THE SCENE UNTIL DOING THE PAST 9 THINGS 
11. SEE A CHIROPRACTOR AND PHYSICAL THERAPIST 
12. OBTAIN PROFESSIONAL COUNSEL (GET AN ATTORNEY) 
13. INFORM YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY 

How Do I Find An Attorney Who Is Familiar With Auto Accidents, Personal Injury, And/Or Whiplash Cases?

Answer: To find an attorney one could contact the Pennsylvania State Chiropractic Association, a family member and/or friend, phone book, and even advertisements (newspaper, radio, and television). We also have a list of attorneys that our clinic's patients have utilized who are familiar with auto accidents, personal injury, and whiplash cases.


Location

Office Hours

Huntingdon Valley Family Chiropractic Centre

Monday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

Tuesday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Wednesday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

2:30 pm-7:00 pm

Thursday:

2:00 pm-7:00 pm

Friday:

8:30 am-12:30 pm

Saturday:

8:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed