Question19 year old male. I was involved.in a 3 truck accident on 5/21/11 i got rear ended how it happined i was stopped in traffic.and the guy 2 trucks back smashed into the car behind me i herd it and as i turned to see wat it was and got rear ended by an f250 i emeditaly had alot pain going down my whole spine.and into my neck and after going to the er and doing the an x ray they said.it was whiplash and would be better in a few weeks to a few monthes..so it didnt.go away and had only got worse to the point its effecting my ability to function and i was only 18...so i went to physical theropy thT was a joke did that for a month or two then went to an orthopedic doctor got mris done on 2 areas they found nothing and sent me on my way and told me the same as the hospital it.will get better....welll now its been almost a year and the pain is an everyday thing goes staright up my spine ALL DAY EVERYDAY im 19 years old having trouble getting off the couch...ive been seeing a chiro for the past 3 monthes and nothing changes help!!!! :((
AnswerMVA, motor vehicle accident, staten island car crash, car accident, whiplash, cervical acceleration-deceleration injury, CAD, staten island chiropractic, neck pain,
Hello Zach,
Thank You for your question. I am sorry to hear of your continued complaints.
So, you had your MVA (motor vehicle accident) a year ago and are still hurting. From my (admittedly) Chiropractic perspective, I am sorry you did not go to the Chiropractic Doctor within a week of your car crash. Chiropractic is a safe, effective treatment approach towards spinal injury sustained in auto accidents.
Cervical Acceleration Deceleration injury (CAD, aka 'whiplash') is often little understood or worse yet- misunderstood. Whiplash is (in part) an injury to your neck joints. Often Americans just take medications to relieve muscle spasm ( a symptom), or pain meds to relieve the pain ((analgesics ie: (NSAIDS) again,,, only treating a SYMPTOM)). This SYMPTOMATIC treatment is not treating the underlying CAUSE of the problem, the real condition, the true problem. Sometimes people use hot or cold, ultrasound, infrared, muscle stimulation, or therapies to take care of SYMPTOMS; again the CAUSE is left un-attended to, and allowed to progressively get worse.
I have many Staten Island Auto Accident victims in my Staten Island Chiropractic office.
I think some of my information handouts should be helpful for you:
First, we start with 'pain':
PAIN
Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard?
RED LIGHT = Trouble !!
Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong.
Think you should listen??
That RED LIGHT on the dashboard of your car-
-- do you ignore it until the car breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
pain in your body-
-- do you ignore it until your body breaks down,
or do you get it checked and correct the problem?
Pain,
do you cover up the pain by taking a painkiller?
Take a painkiller,
mask the pain,
and allow a problem to progress in your body?
Pain Killing medication??? = 16,000 deaths ( probably under-reported )
DEATH ! ? ! ? better watch out on those medications!!!
NOTICE ON PAIN RELIEVERS:
Label changes ORDERED by FDA; the FDA announced proposed label changes for OTC over-the-counter pain relievers to include the potential for stomach bleeding and liver damage (FDA news 206- 207; 12-9-06) ;
SIXTEEN THOUSAND DEATHS: "Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are effective medications for the treatment of many chronically painful medical conditions. However, it is estimated that 25% of all serious adverse drug reactions involve NSAIDs, with more than 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 deaths occurring annually due to NSAID-induced gastrointestinal (GI) events."----- http://hhc.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/13/6/468 Home Health Care Management & Practice, Vol. 13, No. 6, 468-475 (2001) Motrin, Advil = NSAIDS
The American Heart Association issued a scientific statement recommending medical doctors change the way they prescribe OTC pain relievers from a first choice to an alternate of recommending non-pharmacologic treatment (AHA statement 2-26-07).
NSAID Acceleration of ARTHRITIS; an important side effect of Aspirin and other NSAIDS is that it will inhibit cartilage repair and accelerate cartilage destruction ( Journal of Rheumatology, 1982; 9: 3- 5 ). Many times people take NSAIDS for the pain of Arthritis, not realizing these drugs may make the underlying condition worse. These medications cover up the pain, and cause the problem to worsen.
http://rinf.com/alt-news/business-news/prescription-drugs-kill-300-percent-more-
= An analysis of 168,900 autopsies conducted in Florida in 2007 found that three times as many people were killed by legal drugs as by cocaine, heroin and all methamphetamines put together. BE CAREFUL WITH THAT MEDICATION !!!
It was reported in 2000, that 700,000 U.S. citizens die as a result from medical causes (iatrogenics). Of course, other records and statistics had the number above the one million mark. Whether 700,000 or one million people, that's a lot of innocent people dying from visiting a hospital and trusting a medical doctor.= http://www.dherbs.com/articles/iatrogenics-99.html
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation is actually a quite common condition. Doctors of Chiropractic look for pathological conditions which may require referral to other specialties, and also look for 慡ubluxation? Other disciplines look for pathology, but overlook the importance of alignment and movement in the spine which affects our nervous system (the master control system- ALL health disciplines learn this). VSC- 慡ubluxation??can be the cause of many symptoms and conditions.
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.
The course of VSC is highly variable. Some patients with VSC literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar test findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some patients immediately develop symptoms related to the VSC, some patients take years to develop symptoms. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Some people recover in days, some take months or years, depending upon severity of the condition.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, or aggravate such conditions.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine , Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010 , Chiropractor to the Championship NYPD Football Team, and the PSAL High School Football Champions (Curtis) , Staten Island SPORTS Hall of Fame- Unsung Hero 2011 , Selected to the Medical Staff of the 2011 Pan American Games, Guadalajara Mexico
I hope this information sheet helps you. As time goes on, we learn more about side effects and complications on relying upon SYMPTOMATIC relief from medications, which not only may allow the underlying CAUSE to progressively grow worse, but may aggravate the condition. For instance it is interesting that NSAIDs 'kill the pain' of arthritic degeneration, BUT cause the arthritic deterioration to grow worse due to altering the joint biochemistry!
Temporary and SAFE pain control can be handled more naturally, perhaps utilizing natural approaches such as a cold pack. Another information sheet I use in my Staten Island Chiropractic office is this one:
A safe way to treat pain:
P.R.I.C.E. = P protection. R rest. I ice. C compression. E elevation.
Hurt yourself ??
injury/ trauma/ bruise/ not even sure - - a broken bone ??
You should certainly get to the Doctor or trained health professional to be examined if you think it is bad enough. BUT in the meantime, some simple steps may help. PRICE.
The PRICE protocol will usually help just about any musculoskeletal injury.
P = Protection; protect the area from further injury- stop what you are doing, can you
pad or bandage the area ? Tape the area? Do something to protect the area !
R = Rest; rest the area as much as possible, if a part is damaged, give the body time to
repair the area
I = Ice; ice is a potent anti-inflammatory; it will slow swelling, help with pain control
(ice is analgesic), place ice over cloth over the injured area for 5, 10 minutes, off the
injured area for 30 minutes; then back on again ( please do NOT use heat, heat adds to edema->
heat feels good while it is on,,,, and often makes the condition WORSE after you take heat off )
C = Compression; to help prevent swelling compression may be helpful- for example
if it is an ankle, wrap the ankle with an ace bandage and ice the area. Many body
parts may not be applicable to compression.
E = Elevation; again to fight swelling and pain, raising the injured body part above the
heart may be helpful- ie raise an ankle or knee, you lay down, raise the injured part
PRICE may help : Sprains, Strains, musculo-skeletal injury, bruise, contusion
Sometimes a slip, trip, fall, heavy lift, athletic injury, or a motor vehicle accident can cause a bump or bruise, sprain or strain. Sometimes also involved with the injury is a vertebral subluxation (or other joint subluxation) (subluxation is a mechanical problem- of any joint- and requires a mechanical correction). In the spine, a sprain/strain is a misalignment, a 慿ink?in the joint, a stretch of the muscles, tendons and/ or ligaments:- more properly termed a Vertebral Subluxation. Sometimes symptoms can come immediately, sometimes days, weeks or even months later!- Well after the actual trauma !!!
Spinal = Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation? ; ( subluxation COULD be any joint )
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of the nervous system (the master system which controls and coordinates all function within the body) and may cause various other conditions, symptoms and problems.
This is a serious condition identified by its five parts:
Spinal Kinesiopathology:
This is fancy way of saying the bones of the spine have lost their normal motion and position. It restricts your ability to turn and bend. It sets in motion the other four components.
Neuropathophysiology:
Improper spinal function can choke, stretch, or irritate delicate nerve tissue. The resulting nerve system dysfunction can cause symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Myopathology:
Muscles supporting the spine can weaken, atrophy, or become tight and go into spasm. The resulting scar tissue changes muscle tone, requiring repeated spinal adjustments.
Histopathology:
A rise in temperature from an increase in blood and lymph supplies result in swelling and inflammation. Discs can bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
Bone spurs and other abnormal bony growths attempt to fuse malfunctioning spinal joints. This spinal decay, scar tissue, and long-term nerve dysfunction can cause other systems of the body to malfunction.
The Vertebral Subluxation Complex describes what happens when spinal bones lose their normal movement patterns and position.
Automobile accidents, improper lifting, improper posture, alcohol, emotional stress, chemical imbalances, and long periods of sitting can cause the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation cannot be corrected through chemicals (medicine), stretching, yoga, vitamins or physical therapy alone. Subluxation- a neuro/skeletal/muscular- mechanical- problem requires a mechanical correction- - - a manipulation, best performed with the chiropractic adjustment. For good health- Treat the Cause, not just the Symptoms. Sprain/ strain/ bump/ bruise?= may result in subluxation of the nearby joint. CORRECT the subluxation !!!!
Sometimes using a CHEMICAL medication to correct an underlying MECHANICAL condition delays proper treatment and allows CHRONICITY to settle in. Chronicity makes it more difficult for the body to heal completely. Using CHEMICAL answers to a MECHANICAL problem is like putting expensive gasoline in a car, and hoping the gasoline helps correct the front end alignment (it just does not work....).
Did you see: 'Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC, as well as other pathology.'?
This is important. It sounds like you may have a Cervical Vertebral Subluxation Complex, and ONLY a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC,,, not any other practitioner.
You had one of the worst types of whiplash, head rotated, neck turned when you were hit.
This is worse than if you were looking straight ahead.
Chiropractic is safe http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11VN2sGMdbI
and effective for 'whiplash' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is7H95n6yjg
but
it takes time. By waiting to go to the Chiropractic Doctor until last, I think you may have allowed the condition to insidiously progress. I think if you had gone to the DC first, you would probably be much better off by now.
That being said, if you have not progressed at all in three months- - - it is time to see another, different Doctor of Chiropractic. There are many different approaches in chiropractic, many different specialties; perhaps you should seek a different Doctor, with a different specialty: SEE: http://www.acatoday.org/userImages/File/Microsoft_Word_-_Approved_Chiropractic_S(1).pdf , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiropractic_neurology , http://www.acatoday.org/UserFiles/Microsoft%20Word%20-%20Approved%20Chiropractic(1).pdf .)
It does sound like the Medical Doctor (MD) has examined you and given you his(her) tratment- medicine. It does not sound like this has worked. Give Chiropractic a longer try, but give it a try with a different doctor. Three months is long enough for this approach.
I hope this information helps. If you need further information, do not hesitate to REcontact me here at AllExperts.com:
Again, Thank You for the question, I hope you feel better soon!
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
www.drvictordolan.net
Staten Island Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomate, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomate, American Academy of Pain Management; Certified Clinical Nutritionist (IAACN); FIRST Chief of Chiropractic in a Hospital in New York State (DHSI); As Seen in PREVENTION Magazine, Invited to Colorado Springs (Olympic Training Center) to Care for USA Olympic Athletes 2010; Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame 2011; FIRST Doctor from Staten Island selected to the Medical Staff of the Pan American Games 2011
