Chiropractic Care for Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation

Chiropractic Care for Personal Injury and Workers’ Compensation

Workers Comp Doctors Baltimore, MD

Have you been injured in a work accident? Or, perhaps you’ve had a personal injury due to someone else’s negligence. Do you think you might have a worker’s compensation or a personal injury case? What should you do?
You may be well-advised to seek chiropractic care for your injury.

What Is Personal Injury?

If you’ve suffered an accident-related injury, you could be entitled to compensation for lost wages, associated medical costs, household services, and other damages. Most often, personal injury cases involve one of these:

• Pedestrian accident
• Motor vehicle accident
• Product defect
• Slip and fall

Some typical personal injuries that respond to chiropractic care include:

• Whiplash and neck injury
• Low back injury or strain
• Shoulder, arm, hand or other extremity problems
• Knee injury
• Hip injury
• Leg and ankle injury
• Shoulder injury

What Is Workers’ Compensation?
Workers’ compensation is a form of insurance that pays money to workers who become injured or disabled in the course of their employment. It provides replacement of lost wages and medical benefits to employees injured on the job. In exchange, the employee receiving benefits must give up their right to sue their employer for the tort of negligence.

Commonly seen job injuries include:

• Low back strain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Shoulder strain
• Slipping or tripping
• Falling object injuries
• Overexertion injuries
• Falling, including falling from heights

What to Do If You Have a Workers’ Compensation or Personal Injury Case

First and foremost: Seek medical attention.

Get medical attention immediately for a life-threatening injury. If your injury is pain, soreness, discomfort, or mobility restriction from a sprain, strain, repetitive motion, or overexertion, which are typically soft-tissue and  musculoskeletal injuries, make an appointment with a qualified and credentialed chiropractic doctor.

Chiropractic services and therapies can address and treat the symptoms and underlying causes of many injuries that involve the spine, the surrounding muscles, and the nerves that branch out from the spinal cord. Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to move the spine into alignment and relieve restrictions and pressure on the nerves.

Chiropractic care can help with both acute and chronic injuries. In addition to spinal adjustments, chiropractors can orchestrate a treatment plan that includes complementary therapies like hot or cold therapies, electrical stimulation, corrective and rehabilitative exercises, massage therapy, and more.

There are a couple of significant things you should do to support your injury claim:

1. Make a report. If you document the circumstances and what occurred in short order, it’s more likely that your claim for an injury will be honored. If the injury happened on the job, you should report the injury to your employer. If your injury is from traffic-related accident or slip and fall, you should report it to your local police department.
   
2. Get professional advice. If you have injuries that prevent you from working and are struggling to pay your medical and household bills, you may need to consult a personal injury attorney to get advice on ways to cover your lost wages and bills.

Even for work-related injuries, you can select your own medical provider among the workers comp doctors Baltimore, MD offers. Schedule an appointment as soon as possible with a chiropractor familiar with worker’s compensation and personal injuries.

Contact Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care and workplace accident injuries.

Chiropractor

The gradual progress of technology is straying us further from an active lifestyle. This can cause many health issues regarding our muscles and joints. And, chiropractic therapy with Lifecare Chiropractic in Mesa, AZ offers is arguably the most natural and effective method of resolving such issues. Here, we have listed a few reasons why you might want to consider chiropractic therapy.

Back and Neck Pain

Almost all of us are occasionally susceptible to back and neck pain, if not regularly. These issues may stem from bad posture, poor sleeping position or spending too much time sitting on an ill-formed chair at the office. Back and neck pain is usually associated with misalignment of the spine. This is often amplified through the patient’s non-medical procedures of relieving the pain. A licensed chiropractor, however, can take scientific measures to eliminate the pain from its source, often at times with just one visit.

Headaches

A study conducted in Duke University discovered that chiropractic therapy could be a better solution to relieving headaches than painkillers. Our anatomy being extremely complicated, headaches are often related to many other bodily functions. And by paying the chiropractor a visit, you can help treat many forms of headaches.

Fatigue

With our busy indoor lives, muscle and joint pain may occur spontaneously. This suffering may cause us to feel tired and restless, which may directly affect our productivity. We may not be getting the optimal output from our work we would if we had healthier and more active bodies. Chiropractic therapy addresses this issue directly by reliving you from suffering as well as refreshing your mind, setting you up for a good day’s work.

Stress

With our world moving faster than ever and our lives becoming just as hectic, we can hardly ever find the time to relax. Mental health issues related to stress is also at an all time high. So it can be very helpful for an individual to take gather some relaxation from a visit to the chiropractor and perhaps reduce some stress.

Uncomfortable Sleep

Sleep is an essential part of human life and works as a fuel for our daily activities. A bad sleep can be the difference between a great and a terrible day. There are many cases of people suffering from muscle pains who find it difficult to sleep. This may also result in a short sleeping routine, which may bear a negative effect in our lives for an indefinite period of time. Chiropractic therapy can resolve your muscle tensions, helping you enjoy a good sleep.

Long-term Injuries

People that have been involved in physically traumatic experiences like a car accident or otherwise can find relief from chiropractic therapy.

Thank you to our friends and contributors at LifeCare Chiropractic for their insight into chiropractic care and reasons to schedule your visit today.

The Basics of Chiropractic Care

Chiropractor

Chiropractic care is a form of medicine that has grown in popularity. Many patients appeal to chiropractics due to it being a non-invasive and alternative treatment approach. Chiropractics has the potential to treat various types of conditions, along with promoting overall health of the nervous system. A patient who has never tried chiropractics before, may be looking forward to a new form of medicine in hopes they find relief from aches and pains. Not all patients are adjusted the same, as treatment plans tend to focus more on the individual’s needs, illness, or condition.

Here we have answered several questions that those new to chiropractics may wonder before scheduling their first appointment:

Q: Are all patients adjusted the same?

A: Not every patient’s body, condition, or injury is the same. A chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD evaluates each person and his or her unique spinal misalignments to create a personalized type of care. Additionally, not every adjustment may be the same as the previous appointment, since each session builds on from the one before.

Q: What if a patient had back surgery before seeing a chiropractor?

A: It still isn’t too late to see a chiropractor after back surgery. In fact, it is estimated that more than half of people with spinal surgery experience a return of symptoms within a few years. A patient may then either have to choose between undergoing surgery again, or researching other forms of treatment. Chiropractic care may be able to prevent a patient from having to endure multiple back surgeries. In some cases, getting chiropractic care from the start can help prevent a person from going through a serious back procedure at all.

Q: Is it possible that I can learn, and adjust myself?

A: Chiropractic adjustments require force being applied to specific areas, at a certain direction. It is almost impossible to adjust your own back or spine independently, without causing an injury or making a current one worse. While some people may twist their back and hear a cracking sound, this may actually be counterproductive. It is recommended that someone who needs an adjustment, gets it done by a medical professional.

Q: What is subluxation?

A: Subluxation occurs when there is a misalignment of the vertebrae, which can lead to many health problems. It can be difficult to determine whether you have subluxation, as it may take a long period of time before any symptoms arise. Receiving an exam and adjustments regularly from a chiropractor can promote spinal health and help prevent such conditions from developing.

Q: Do chiropractic adjustments treat a variety of health problems?

A: Chiropractic care can help improve nervous system function and enable the body to be more flexible in everyday life. When the body has a healthy nervous system, it’s healing capacity can operate at the optimum level. A person with any of the following conditions may benefit from chiropractic care:

• Arthritis
• Chronic headaches
• Neck and back pain
• Carpal tunnel
• Epicondylitis
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Whiplash
• Herniated discs
• Scoliosis

Contact  Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for more information about their chiropractic care.

Is Chiropractic Care for All Ages?

Chiropractor

As a human, your body was made to have a joyful and vibrant life. But, as the years go by we may experience many ups and downs that can put stress on our system. Chiropractic care can help prevent spinal and nervous system problems, while enabling your body to heal itself to the fullest extent possible. Those who want to try chiropractic care, may wonder if it can be beneficial for all ages. Many people in various stages of life can see improvements through chiropractic adjustments:

Q: Are newborns too young to receive a chiropractic adjustment?

A: The process of birth is tiring for both mother and baby. Labor and delivery can be a potentially traumatic experience for the newborn, causing stress of the spine and nervous system. A newborn baby suffering from such stress, may experience chronic ear infections, difficulty sleeping, and colic. Chiropractic adjustments can help improve the health of both mother and infant.

Q: Do children need chiropractic care?

A: Children tend to have very active and energetic lives, which also may increase the chances of an injury occurring at one point or another. Chiropractic care can help children stay healthy, prevent chemical imbalances, and maintain the nervous system as they grow through each stage of development.

Q: How can adults benefit from chiropractic treatments?

A: Adulthood comes along with a mixture and complexity of responsibilities. Balancing life can become physically, mentally and emotionally challenging, in which the nervous system can be drastically impacted. If the spinal column is not in proper alignment, the nutrients and blood cannot flow as it was intended. After one or many adjustments, an adult patient may find they are less stressed, have more flexibility, in addition to a decrease of aches and pains. Illnesses, injuries, and other conditions that can be improved through chiropractic treatments include:

• Neck and back pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraine/tension headaches
• Sleep disorders
• Arthritis
• Sciatica
• Bursitis
• Impaired immune system
• Joint injuries
• Muscle sprains

Q: Can chiropractic treatments help add years to your life?

A: The decisions you make now can have a huge impact on your future longevity. A spine and nervous system that is working properly, leads to muscles and organs being healthy too. As we get older our bodies start to become weaker, so pains are more likely to develop. Chiropractic treatments can add years to your life, especially when you can live them without chronic pain or discomforts. Everyone deserves to have the most rewarding life possible, without limitations related to the musculoskeletal system.

Q: Are chiropractic adjustments painful?

A: Chiropractic realignments of the spine or other joints should not be painful. A person may initially worry after hearing certain cracks and popping sounds during the adjustment, but these are quite normal. These sounds are just air pockets being released from between joints. A person may feel sore in the day or so after an adjustment, but it is only temporary. There should be no sheer pain, so if you feel anything more than the soreness like after a good workout, contact your chiropractor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD, right away.

Contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic to learn more about chiropractic care.

Is manipulation under anesthesia safe? What should I know about it?

Chiropractor

Manipulation under anesthesia, also known as MUA, is a type of manipulative technique that is non invasive. It is performed by a chiropractor and meant to offer relief from chronic pain that has been responsive to other forms of non surgical care. MUA focuses on breaking up internal scar tissue that is leftover from an injury or surgery, and as a result, restores movement while reducing pain. MUA can be used to treat the back, neck, shoulders, and joints as well as muscle spasms.

When a patient is undergoing MUA, they are sedated. An example of the amount of sedation used might be the “twilight” state which is common in the sedation of a patient undergoing a colonoscopy or tooth extraction. This type of sedation allows the chiropractor to adjust the joints and bones, or stretch and align the muscles without any resistance to the treatment. Less force is applied during the procedure making it painless and often effective.

MUA is performed by trained and certified doctors who work in chiropractic medicine, rehabilitation, osteopathy, or orthopedics. It is considered to be a subspecialty which means it may not be available in every clinical office.

Benefits of MUA

Many patients experiencing back, neck, or shoulder pain respond well to manipulation, exercise, massage, and rehabilitation. Some of these patients will find that their relief is limited to a few days or weeks. In this case MUA could be an option. Benefits of manipulation under anesthesia include:

• It is safer than surgery
• It is cost effective
• It is covered by most insurance plans
• It is covered by most workers compensation

Is MUA Right for You

Before scheduling you for MUA treatment, a chiropractic doctor should assess your medical history, symptoms, and previous chiropractic care. A physical evaluation and neurological exam may be conducted to confirm a diagnosis. The following tests might also be ordered:

• MRI or CT scan
• X-ray
• Ultrasound
• EKG
• Nerve conduction velocity test
• Pregnancy test
• Blood test

Patients who have been diagnosed with the following might be suited to MUA:

• Chronic sprain or strain
• Chronic disc pain
• Acute muscle spasms
• Failed back surgery
• Fibrous adhesions
• Loss of movement or motion
• Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
• Fibromyalgia
• Pinched nerve

MUA is not recommended for:

• Acute inflammatory gout
• Cancer
• Inflammatory arthritis
• Bone fractures
• Obesity
• Bone infection
• Severe osteoporosis
• Compression of the spinal cord

The aforementioned is not exhaustive. There are other conditions that could be treated with MUA, as well as those that should not be treated with it. Patients who are taking certain types of medication or cannot be sedated will also not be candidates for MUA.

How MUA is Performed

Manipulation under sedation is typically performed in a hospital. The anesthesia is given by an anesthesiologist. The patient will be sedated, but not unconscious. Various anesthesia could be given depending on the patient’s circumstances. Once the patient is sedated, the chiropractic doctor, like a chiropractor in Glen Burnie, MD, will begin to employ different techniques on the symptomatic part of the body. The entire procedure takes between 15 and 40 minutes. The patient slowly regains awareness and will be monitored for a brief period of time. He or she can return home on the same day. Typically noticeable improvements in range of motion and pain is immediately noticed. Localized muscle soreness is common and may be treated with herbal balms, ice, heat, or OTC medication. Physical therapy or cryotherapy might also be recommended.

In general, a patient will need between 2 and 4 MUA treatments. These are often done on consecutive days rather than at separate intervals.

Contact Mid-Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic for more information about chiropractic care.