Oviedo chiropractor, Dr. Ressler offers treatment solutions for auto accident injuries like herniated disc.
A herniated disc injury can be the result of a car accident, truck accident or motorcycle accident. Without proper diagnosis and treatment this type of injury may cause suffering for the rest of your life. If you have been recently involved in an auto accident, remember the state law requires you to be evaluated within 14 days of the accident. If you do not receive an evaluation within the 14 days, you will lose the medical coverage related to the accident. It is critical to note, that symptoms of pain and discomfort may not be felt for days or even weeks after the car accident. This causes some people to wait too long to be evaluated because they do not realize they are injured. Unfortunately, by the time there is an indication of an injury, they will already have lost all their medical benefits. The fact is that the timeframe in which you receive proper treatment greatly impacts the quality of your recovery. That is why it is so important not to wait and schedule an appointment with Oviedo chiropractor, Dr. Ressler promptly. This will ensure that you recover from all your injuries, including the ones you may be unaware of. The OIWC clinic is patient-oriented providing effective and quick recovery for all our patients.
Every car accident is different and distinct. Factors involved in the collision will always vary, which cause the injuries to vary. For instance, the speed of the vehicle, body position at time of impact and location of the impact are a few typical factors that determine the kind of injury produced. Usually, the severity of an accident often dictates the extent of an injury. However, even a minor fender-bender may still cause an extensive injury.
Most people may think that severe injuries from an auto accident are broken bones or lacerations. Nevertheless, many injuries sustained may not be visible. In fact, whiplash is the most common injury caused by an auto accident. Whiplash occurs when the impact from the collision causes your head, neck, and low back to jolt forward and then backward. Whiplash affects the soft tissue which is comprised of the ligaments and muscles that hold the joints together. Although it is common and non-visible, whiplash is a serious injury. Ann example of severe whiplash is when someone must wear a collar around their neck due to weakness and pain of the neck muscles. The muscles/ligaments have been so damaged that the person cannot hold up the weight of their own head. Even a minor car accident with no damage to the vehicle can cause whiplash. Whiplash should be taken seriously and must be treated properly. It may take a few weeks to a few months to fully recover. Injuries that go untreated often form scar tissue in the muscles. The scar tissue reduces flexibility and your range of motion. You begin to compensate for lack of neck motion by moving your whole body. (Ex: Looking behind you when backing up but having to turn your whole upper body) Untreated injuries make your body more prone to a permanent or future injury. This is because the injured tissue has less ability to stretch or flex when it is being stressed.
Just because you are not experiencing any symptoms, doesn’t mean that you have escaped an injury. Therefore, you should still seek medical attention after the collision. Keep in mind that pain and discomfort from the accident may not be felt right away. This is on the account of the body’s natural response to trauma
What is a Herniated Disc?
A herniated disc is when discs in the spine "slip" away from their normal positioning between the vertebrae. Herniations usually occur in the neck and lower back but can affect any disc in the spine. The discs located in your spine act as a natural cushioning for the spinal vertebrae and enable you to bend and flex. It also keeps the space open were the nerves exit the spine and travel to different parts of the body. If injured, these discs can become herniated or project out far enough to cause irritation to the nerve endings. Oviedo’s number one auto accident chiropractor, Dr. Ressler tells his patients to “imagine that your discs are like a jelly donut. There is soft pulpous material located inside the disc similar to the jelly. When there is an injury, this pulpous material can be pushed out and rub against the nerves. The protrusion of the discs is what produces pain and inflammation.” Trauma is the main cause of a herniated disc, but not the only one. Aging and disc degeneration can also be the source a herniation.
What are the symptoms of a herniated disc?
Symptoms of a herniated disc vary depending of the location, but some common complaints are:
Lower back pain
Shooting intense pain in thighs, calves, or buttocks
Numbness and tingling sensation in the arms
Shooting pain in the arm, hands, and shoulder (if located in the neck area.)
Numbness and tingling sensation in the legs
Pain in the feet
Pain that may intensify when you sneeze, cough or bend your spine.
What do I do if I have a herniated disc?
The first step is to call 407-977-5005 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Ressler. Oviedo’s top auto accident chiropractor will perform a comprehensive neurological, orthopedic, and musculoskeletal examination. After your evaluation, he will then determine if you will need diagnostic imaging or an MRI. As defined by the Mayo Clinic, an “MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is a medical imaging technique that uses a magnetic field and computer-generated radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues in your body.”
Want to learn more about an MRI?
Unlike an X-ray, an MRI is designed to view soft tissue injuries or disc injuries. Alternatively, X-ray studies can generally determine if any fractures in the bones have occurred, but will not show if you have a herniation. An MRI is able to detect a herniated disc and will allow Dr. Ressler to start addressing your injuries quickly with conservative non-twisting care. If you need an MRI, Dr. Ressler will refer you to a qualified imaging center. Once your MRI report is complete, the imaging center will send the report directly to Dr. Ressler’s office. At this point, Dr. Ressler will establish a specialized treatment plan to address your specific injuries.
Chiropractic Treatment for a Herniated Disc
Auto accidents often cause herniations or bulging discs so it is paramount to create a customized treatment plan to allow for maximum recovery from your injuries. Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center provides a variety of effective treatments to alleviate herniated disc pain and facilitate healing of damaged discs.
Dr. Ressler will treat your auto accident injuries with an adjusting instrument called an "activator". The activator it is a spring-loaded instrument that sends a gentle force into the joint and moves it back into position. The activator method is low force, precise and does not involve cracking or twisting. This very gentle technique will provide quick results without aggravating the disc injuries. Even if you do not have a herniated or spinal disc injury, this method can help injuries to the wrists, shoulders, knees, and ankles from a car accident.
Oviedo’s premier chiropractor, Dr. Ressler also uses a special table called the “flexion/distraction” table. The flexion distraction table is designed to relieve pressure on your discs and prevent surgery. The table operates by using a traction mechanism to allow for spinal decompression. This function gently pulls your vertebrae apart which alleviates the compression on the disc. This makes the flexion distraction table a gentle hands-on approach to treat herniated discs without twisting of cracking of the low back.
Along with the most innovative chiropractic techniques, you will receive a personalized exercise routine consisting of specific strengthening and stretching protocols. This will help you to build the muscles around the injury and support the damaged disc. In conjunction with your personalized exercise routine, Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center’s board-certified medical massage therapists work with Dr. Ressler to provide you with relief from muscle pain and auto accident injuries. Our board-certified medical massage therapists use their extensive experience to incorporate advanced massage techniques to ensure a quick and optimal recovery. Every treatment plan at Oviedo Injury and Wellness Center is tailored to a patient’s specific needs, injuries, and concerns.
Oviedo’s number one auto accident chiropractor, Dr. Ressler uses his many years of experience and has helped hundreds of patients recover from herniations. Please be aware that unless your auto accident injuries are life threatening, it is not necessary to go to the ER. The emergency room can be very costly and may use up all your medical benefits. Auto accident treatment for disc herniations is covered through your auto insurance. Therefore, you will not have to pay directly out of pocket for your treatment with Dr. Ressler. Oviedo Injury & Wellness Center accepts all auto insurance policies and will take care of billing for you.
Our knowledgeable staff is here to make your recovery as quick and stress-free as possible. Remember: without proper treatment, a herniation injury may cause suffering for the rest of your life. Still nervous about seeking treatment for an auto accident injury? OIWC is here to help! Put your mind at ease and click here for frequently asked questions regarding auto accident injuries!
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Call 407-977-5005 and schedule your appointment with OIWC today!