Sword Swallower Left Injured At Bowie, Maryland, Six Flags

Visiting a theme park like Six Flags, Universal Orlando Resort, or Disney World is a magical experience for most people. Whether you enjoy the rides, the unusual foods not found anywhere else, or just the overall atmosphere, there’s plenty of fun. While these destinations are most well-known for their rides, plenty of other entertainment options exist.

Scott Nelson, known as Murrugun The Mystic, is a busker, actor, and overall entertainer. One incredible feat he does is sword swallowing. While entertaining at Six Flags in Bowie, MD, Murrugun suffered from nearly devastating injuries, slashing his abdomen during one of his sword-swallowing shows. Thankfully, first responders were already on the scene due to a different incident.

Eventually, Scott Nelson made it to a D.C. hospital, where he’s been unable to eat solid foods for over a month. He also noted that the incident pierced one of his liver’s lobes. Despite this incident, Scott was able to look at the positives, saying he’s now stopped smoking and has lost around 50 pounds. Unfortunately, some reports suggest that the physicians had to remove major parts of one of his lungs.

It’s unclear if or when Scott will return to work and if he does, if he will still participate in sword-swallowing activities. Despite the damage caused, the accident could have been much more fatal, and Murrugun The Mystic is likely to have a long road toward total recovery.

Scott Nelson’s situation is unique, and most Americans don’t have to worry about getting their abdomen slashed by swallowing swords. However, even without the threat of swallowing swords, many Americans do experience physical injuries. These can stem from a singular event—like a car crash—or can be a culmination of events such as repetitive motions from their daily work.

Many of these situations can call for the help of physical therapy. Although we think of physical therapy as only helping athletes, the elderly, or car crash victims, physical therapy can treat various conditions and general pain. Some situations where physical therapy can help include the following:

• Recovery after a major surgery
• Reducing your chronic pain
• Improving your overall health, wellness, and lifestyle
• Healing from a specific injury

For many, physical therapy is also much more than helping you recover after a specific incident. Like doctors, many physical therapists emphasize long-term care and solutions versus short-term solutions. This emphasis means giving you the tools and knowledge to lead a healthier and happier lifestyle. For example, your physical therapist may teach you different exercise routines that you can take home with you. Of course, physical therapy also includes on-site sessions.

During these sessions, your physical therapist may use various tools and equipment like weights and exercise bands. These tools are designed to help you strengthen your body. When working with a physical therapist, they should prescribe a treatment plan designed for your specific needs. Whether you need help recovering from a specific injury or want to lead a healthier lifestyle, Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic can help. Call today to schedule a Bowie, MD physical therapy session.

On Dec. 6, a two-vehicle accident occurred in Fairfax County, leaving one person dead. A commercial truck was making a left-hand turn onto Prosperity Avenue when 19-year-old David Mendez-Hernandez was speeding and lost control of his vehicle. He hit the truck and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Common Myths About Chiropractic Care

If you were recently hurt in a car accident, you may benefit from chiropractic care. However, you might have heard some misinformation about this type of care that is making you reluctant to get it. Here are a few common myths about chiropractic care that you should not believe.

• Chiropractic treatment hurts. Nobody likes to experience pain, which is one of the most common reasons why people may avoid chiropractic treatment. They may assume the cracking and popping sounds mean the treatment is painful. Luckily, this is not true. Chiropractic treatment is designed to relieve pain, not cause it. While the chiropractic adjustments may be slightly uncomfortable at first, they are not painful.

• If you take pain medicine, you do not need chiropractic care. After a car accident, your doctor may prescribe you pain medication to help alleviate pain. While prescription painkillers are effective, the effects are only temporary. Eventually your body will get used to the medication and you will have to keep taking more to get the same results. That is why it may be beneficial to get chiropractic care. A chiropractor will treat the root cause of the pain, which will make a bigger difference.

• Chiropractic care is too expensive. Some car accident victims opt out of chiropractic treatment because they assume they can’t afford it. However, chiropractic care is more affordable than people think. It is certainly less costly than undergoing surgery. Many insurance companies also recognize that chiropractic treatment is effective and include it in their plans.

• You will need chiropractic care forever. This is another common myth about chiropractic care. The number of chiropractic sessions you need will depend on the type and severity of your injury. After giving you a proper evaluation, a chiropractor can estimate how many sessions you will require for your condition.

• Chiropractic care can only treat back pain. Back pain is certainly one one of the most common ailments chiropractic care treats, but it is not the only one. Chiropractic care is effective at treating many other conditions, like neck pain, shoulder pain and muscle aches.

• Chiropractic care is not safe. Some people shy away from chiropractic care because they assume adjustments are not safe. While it might look that way at first, chiropractic adjustments are completely safe, as long as they are performed by a trained chiropractor. Chiropractic care actually has fewer side effects than surgery and prescription pain medication.

If you are thinking about getting chiropractic treatment after a car accident, you should schedule an appointment with a Bowie, MD chiropractor from Mid Atlantic Spinal & Rehab & Chiropractic as soon as possible.

If you have been dealing with chronic pain, whether from a health condition or accident,  you may want to think about going to physical therapy. A physical therapist may perform various non-invasive treatments to help reduce your pain and restore your range of motion. Here are some frequently asked questions and answers about physical therapy.

What Will Happen During My First Physical Therapy Appointment?

If you have your first physical therapy appointment coming, you are probably curious about what will happen. The initial session is typically more involved because your physical therapist will ask you questions about your medical history and perform tests to determine your strength, balance, mobility, range of motion and palpation. 

Once the examination is over, your physical therapist will have a better idea about your condition and can come up with the proper treatment plan. He or she may use several therapies to treat your condition, like massage, electrical stimulation and ultrasound. Your physical therapist may also have you perform some exercises.

How Many Sessions Will I Require?

Everyone is different. Some people may need just a few physical therapy sessions while others may need to attend physical therapy much longer. Generally, the more severe your condition is, the more sessions you will need. During your initial visit, your physical therapist can estimate how many sessions you will need.

Do I Have to Do Home Exercises?

In order to get the most out of physical therapy sessions, you have to play an active role in your treatment. Your physical therapist will most likely assign you exercises to do outside of your sessions. While these exercises might make you feel sore at first and be tedious, it’s necessary to do them. They can help you recover faster. If you have trouble performing certain exercises, let your physical therapist know.

What Should I Wear to My Physical Therapy Appointments?

During your physical therapy, your therapist may have you move around quite a bit. As such, you will want to wear loose and comfortable clothes, like sweatpants and a t-shirt. Then, you can move around freely and feel constricted.

If I Recently Had Orthopedic Surgery, Will Physical Therapy Help Me Heal Faster?

Yes. In fact, your doctor will likely advise you to go to physical therapy after your surgery. Although surgery is sometimes necessary, it can put your body through a lot of stress. Physical therapy can improve your strength, reduce swelling and increase your range of motion. You may start feeling better after just a few sessions.

Is Physical Therapy Painful?

Some people are reluctant to go to physical therapy because they assume it will be painful. However, as long as you go to a licensed physical therapist, it should never be painful. You may experience some soreness after your session, which is perfectly normal.

If you have been dealing with pain, you may want to consider attending Baltimore, MD physical therapy at Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic.

A car went down an embankment and landed in a creek southeast of Hagerstown on Oct. 31, leaving the driver dead. The two passengers in the vehicle made it safely out of the car and were transported to a hospital to receive treatment for their injuries. They are in stable condition. According to police, the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed. Witnesses said that the driver lost control of the vehicle on the wet road.

Tips for Attending Physical Therapy After a Car Accident

If you were injured in a car accident, you may want to give physical therapy a chance. The therapy focuses on non-invasive treatments and can help restore your range of motion. Here are some tips for attending physical therapy after a car accident.

• Set realistic goals. Before you go in for physical therapy, it is important to have a realistic mindset. Do not set goals that are impossible to achieve because you will just be disappointed. For example, if you suffered severe leg injuries in a car accident, you might not be able to run that 5k next month. However, you may be able to go on short walks after several physical therapy sessions.

• Be honest. Your physical therapist can’t fully help you if you are not completely truthful. Always be honest no matter what. If you have not been doing your exercises at home, let your physical therapist know. If you feel a lot of pain after performing your exercises, inform your therapist.

• Attend all of your appointments. After giving you an evaluation, your physical therapist will estimate how many sessions you will need. It is important to commit to your physical therapy schedule. Do not stop going to your appointments if you start to feel better sooner than expected. Likewise, don’t give up on physical therapy if you don’t see improvement after a couple of sessions. Be patient and trust the process.

• Don’t be afraid to speak up. It is important to be an active participant in your physical therapy sessions. If you have any questions or concerns, you should let your physical therapist know. For instance, if your therapist is using too much pressure during a massage, do not be afraid to speak up.

• Wear comfortable clothes. When you come in for your physical therapy sessions, you need to keep your comfort in mind. You will be moving around a lot, so choose loose and comfortable clothes, like a t-shirt and sweatpants.

• Perform your exercises. In addition to in-office treatments, your physical therapist will likely assign you exercises to do at home. While these exercises may get tedious after a while, it’s essential to perform them regularly. They will help you get stronger and recover faster.

If you have sustained injuries in a car accident, you should schedule an appointment with a Bowie, MD physical therapist, like one from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, as soon as possible.

One person died and two people were left critically injured in a car accident in Davidsonville on Nov. 8. A pickup truck was traveling eastbound on Central Avenue and crossed into the westbound lane, got out of the roadway and hit a tree. Then, the truck caught fire. The front-seat passenger got stuck in the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and backseat passenger were transported to the hospital for critical injuries.

Why Chiropractic Care Is Beneficial After a Car Accident

Car accidents can cause some pretty serious injuries. While many people know to seek emergency medical care after a vehicle crash, not everyone considers the benefits of chiropractic care. If you were recently in a car accident, you may want to see a chiropractor. Here’s why:

• Alleviate pain. Whether you suffered a back, neck or shoulder injury during a car accident, you may experience chronic pain. The pain can make it difficult to perform everyday activities. That is one good reason to see a chiropractor. He or she can perform a spinal adjustment, which may help you release pain-relieving hormones.

• Reduce scar tissue. After you sustain an injury in a car accident, your body may form scar tissue to try and heal them. However, too much scar tissue can cause chronic pain and stiffness. You may live in discomfort and have trouble moving around freely. A chiropractor can break up the scar tissue through non-invasive therapies.

• Offer a non-invasive approach. Many people turn to prescription medication and surgery to treat car accident injuries. While these treatments are sometimes necessary, they can come with serious side effects. Chiropractic care, on the other hand, is non-invasive, so it has minimal side effects.

• Identify unknown injuries. Not all car accident injuries are immediately obvious. Whiplash, for example, can take a while to present symptoms. That’s another good reason to make an appointment with a chiropractor. This healthcare professional can identify injuries that you may have missed and treat them accordingly.

• Restore range of motion. After getting injured in a car accident, you may have trouble moving around like you did before. For instance, if you injured your neck, you may have difficulty moving your neck fully. A chiropractor can perform adjustments to help restore your range of motion.

• Enhance your personal injury claim. If you were hurt in a car accident caused by another driver, you may have decided to pursue a personal injury claim. After all, you deserve proper compensation for your medical bills, lost wages and other losses. Seeing a chiropractor may actually help strengthen your claim. He or she can provide you with documentation to make sure that your medical expenses are paid for.

If you were injured in a car accident, you should schedule an appointment with a Annapolis, MD chiropractor, like one from Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic, today.