QuestionI am a 39 year old Army Veteran. While on active duty in 88 I was struck and pinned against the wall of a cargo whip by a flatbed truck. I limped away with a bruised shoulder and left leg. in 89 I was in the Mojave desert. I had a 300 pound piece of equipment dropped off the top of a 5 ton truck 10 feet high on me. I put my hands up as if to try and catch it and shield my head. When I tried to stand up I felt a pain in my back and doubled over. I was sent to the aid state and then to the hospital. I was back on my feed 2 weeks later. No back X-rays were taken in either case. When I got out of the military I didn't notice anything other than my leg seemed a little tight. Then the tightness progressed into numbness then to pain then to back spasms. Now years later after 10 years of chiropractic care I am trying to prove to the military that the injury is service related. Any suggestions. The Orthopedic doctor I talked too told me that those types of injuries resolve themselves in a year.
Answer'old injury', 1988, 1989, back pain, numbness, tingling, 10 years of care,
Hello Matthew,
Sorry to hear of your YEARS of pain.
THANK YOU for your service to our country. We owe all of our
freedom(s) to brave people like you.
'Proving an old injury'--- is certainly difficult to do. You need a good lawyer first and foremost. After that--- good written records of accident/ injury/ complaint. After that--- a 'continuity of care'.
After that--- Xrays, CT-MRI that shows 'old' injury,,, therefore a radiologist opinion.
Your injuries occurred 20 years ago.
Twenty years is a long time.
A radiologist (whether a chiropractic radiologist or medical radiologist) with specialty training can determine that an injury is new, acute, chronic, 'old'. But even the best will not be able to give an exact time frame- just an approximation. But a radiologist opinion saying 'this xxxxx damage is due to an old injury, such as xxxxx, which occurred xx- xx years ago'.
"Continuity of care"- your Doctor of Chiropractic, your family MD, someone you have been seeing FOR A LONG, continuous time, will be helpful. If you have the military records of the injuries, if you have doctors records AT THE TIME OF INJURY or shortly there after, then you can point to a date, point to an incident, point to the injury and say---" ...I got hurt on this date, in this manner, I hurt my xxxxx and ever since then my xxxxx has not been the same, and I have been treating my xxxxx since then... ".
Your doctors are familiar with 'continuity of care' issues. Your lawyer will be familiar with continuity of care issues. Insurance companies, employers, courts WANT to see - continuity of care -.
If you got hurt in 1988, 1989, and did not document it properly at that time,,,,, If you got hurt in 1989 and waited until 1999 to go to the doctor ,,, you will be asked: ".... 1989 you got hurt ???, and you 'lived with pain' until,,,, 1999- you saw a doctor ??, how do I know you did not fall down the stairs in the meantime?? ...".
Continuity of care is always a big question. I watch a lot of police shows on television--- the 'chain of evidence' is important- you cannot contaminate/ confuse the 'chain of evidence', this chain is similar to the continuity of care, continuity of complaint.
Good 'continuity of care, continuity of complaint' records-- documentation showing that from 1989 onward you saw doctors for the same complaints, that complaints deteriorated over time, that there was no other intervening trauma--- this is VERY important to your case.
Obtaining the ORIGINAL records from the DATE OF INCIDENT/INJURY is important. Hopefully you can get these. With initial records complaining of back injury, with records showing a continuity of complaint and care, with records showing no other intervening trauma, with your treating doctors and radiologist saying: ..."... this 1989, this 1988 injury CAUSED this condition...". you have an excellent case.
Not everything has to be there, but the more you have, the easier it is. Did you keep copies of everything/ anything ?? Can you get copies of anything/ everything? Even if back Xrays were NOT taken at the time of the original injuries,,, just having documentation that an injury occurred, that you complained of your neck, back, xxxx is very important. Many insurance companies/ employers --- many times they simply say- not only did he NOT hurt his back, but the accident NEVER happened. !!!! In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I have had employers say- 'this guy never worked here' !!! and outright lie.
Workers compensation - being hurt when you are on the job - is very common. Proper documentation wins the case. I know your employer was the Army. The US government. They LOVE paperwork. Dig for the paperwork if you do not already have it. Get the cooperation of your doctors. Show a continuity of complaint/ care. Have a couple of supportive reports from your doctors. Get a good Lawyer.
These injuries do NOT resolve in a year. ANYONE who has ever injured an ankle/ knee/ hip/ back/ neck/ shoulder/ elbow/ wrist --- anyone with any musculoskeletal injury ALWAYS reports deterioration further down the road. Ask ANYONE who played a good amount of sports, anyone who worked physically, anyone injured in an automobile accident, anyone injured at work. Musculoskeletal injury, joint injury almost ALWAYS results in osteo-arthritic degeneration - - - even when cared for properly !! Chiropractic looks to slow osteoarthritic degeneration,,, stopping deterioration after injury is darn near impossible !
I hope this helps. In my Staten Island Chiropractic office I handle workers compensation and auto accident cases where the parties involved say - nope, not us-. Document, Document, Document. Since this is service related--- contact your local US Congressman. - - sorry, now I am off on a tangent.
In my office I use these handouts- it may be helpful to you:
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PAIN Pain is a 憆ed light on the dashboard? Pain is your body telling you that something is wrong. 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?
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) ;
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).
Pain can often be the result of the Vertebral Subluxation Complex.
Vertebral Subluxation ( 慥SC?, 憇ubluxation? )
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).
Only a Doctor of Chiropractic will evaluate and treat for VSC.
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.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
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.
Subluxation 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: The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. 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. 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.
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Degenerative Disk Disease
DDD = Degenerative Disc Disease; DJD = Degenerative Joint Disease; = similar/ same OsteoArthritis.
Degenerative Disc Disease (old term = DJD) is actually a quite common condition. However, the course of the condition is highly variable. Some patients with DJD literally cannot walk, yet other patients with similar X-ray/ MRI findings may be able to run marathons or lift heavy weights. Some people suffer for only a few days with pain and symptoms, some people suffer for months. Although the course is highly variable, there are certain steps that are always helpful to follow: Ice the area when painful- 10/ 15minutes on, 30/ 45 minutes off; avoid certain postures and movements; bend the knees when coughing or sneezing; bend the knees when lifting anything; do not extend legs straight out when sitting, laying down, lifting, or driving. Avoiding certain movements and postures will prevent aggravation of the condition. Practicing good postures and movement patterns will help the condition heal and be less painful. DDD, DJD, OsteoArthritis, - deteriorating discs (disk) is/ are often caused by, or often concurrent with the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. VSC is a misalignment which hastens deterioration of the joints involved.
Vertebral Subluxation Complex (a.k.a. 憇ubluxation?
The vertebral subluxation complex is the underlying cause of many healthcare problems.
A subluxation interferes with the proper functioning of joints, and can cause osteo-arthritic degeneration, Degenerative Disk Disease, degenerative joint disease, etc.
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.
Subluxation 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. Inflammed Discs can easily bulge, herniate, tear, or degenerate. Other soft tissues may also suffer permanent damage.
Pathophysiology:
The VSC contributes to OsteoArthritic degeneration. 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. When subluxated, joints are in a stressed, vulnerable, compromised condition. Subluxation may cause Arthritis, Disk Herniation, Disk Degeneration, 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.
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Treatment Regimen
Why do I need to have treatment __________________ ? ! ??
( TWICE A DAY, EVERY DAY, 3- 4x/week, 2- 3x/week, 1- 2x/week ) Depending upon your specific condition, your specific case, you may need to be seen many times in a short period. If your condition is severe, complicated, particularly painful; you may need close, frequent attention. Similar to medicine, usually the more severe the case the more often medicine is taken with larger doses. The Doctor of Chiropractic works with hands and therapy in person to accomplish the goal, the MD can treat 憀ong distance?via medicine without actually seeing the patient for treatment.
Why do I need to have treatment for (weeks, months, years!?! ) ? Compare for a moment: chiropractic treatment, medical treatment, dental treatment: very similar !!!
Again, the Doctor using chiropractic techniques needs to get 慼ands on?in person. An MD can treat a patient without actually physically seeing the patient every day through medicine; i.e.: 搮Here are 60 pills, take one a day every day, and I will see you in two months厰. The dentist can say- 搮here, wear these braces 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for the next two- three years. I will see you every two weeks, but I抣l be treating you every day, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day for the next few years厰 .
People can wear braces and retainers for YEARS. It can take YEARS to move the bones (known as teeth) into their proper position. It can take years and years, and thousands of dollars ! But, those teeth (bones) have to be properly aligned to have a nice smile. BUT you do not have to keep wearing the brace or retainer, you can take the brace off any time,,,, and let the teeth go back to their misaligned positions (habit). You can do as you wish. On/ off, go for treatment, not go; listen to the Doc or not.
Some people with certain conditions have to take a medicine every day, seven days a week, 365 days a year; 搮..for the rest of their life??. Sometimes someone can have a damaged heart, lung, liver, kidney, pancreas; and they have to take a medicine, sometimes a FEW medicines, every day, sometimes for years, sometimes 搮for the rest of their life厰 . Similarly, a damaged neck or back, a damaged spine, a damaged nervous system can sometimes use treatment ?..for the rest of their life厰 .
Most people who go to the Doctor of Chiropractic feel a difference in their pain in as little as two or three weeks. Instead of taking years (like braces and the teeth) to make changes, the dynamic spine can start to feel better very quickly. To maintain the proper position and movement of the vertebrae (bones) it can take a continued regimen of care (of course not as frequent as the initial schedule, but to maintain gains, maintenance has to be performed). BUT you do not have to keep up with treatment, you can stop any time you want,,,, and let the vertebrae go back to their misaligned positions (habit).
It is a joke amongst Chiropractors that the DC is a magician- first Chiropractic makes the pain disappear, and then the patient disappears as well !!, BUT- pain is the last thing that comes in a problem, and the first thing that disappears under treatment,,,, but the disappearance of pain does NOT mean correction of the underlying health problem.
Dr. Victor E. Dolan, Doctor of Chiropractic; Diplomat, American Chiropractic Board of Sport Physicians; Diplomat, 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
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I again thank you for your service to our country.
Do not hesitate to re-contact me if more info is needed- AllExperts.com
Your Staten Island Chiropractor friend signing off,
Dr. Victor Dolan, DC
http://drvictordolan.chiroweb.com (email newsletter)
http://www.GoodHealthnaturally.info
http://www.DocDolan.net
