• Nov27

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    Ellicott City Auto Injury Chiropractor

    Posted in: Ellicott City Auto Accident, Ellicott City Auto Accident Injury, Ellicott City Car Accident, Ellicott City Car Accident Injury

    According to the Insurance Research Council, nearly 1/3 of all claimants injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVA’s) seek treatment from doctors of chiropractic. This is an impressive number given that the National Safety Council (NSC) has determined there to be more than 12 million MVA’s annually involving more than 20 million vehicles.

    The reason individuals like yourself choose chiropractic care for treatment of injuries sustained in MVA’s is simple – chiropractic care is exceptional in the treatment of soft tissue injuries, especially of the spine. Since the most common injuries associated with MVA’s are sprains and strains of the spinal muscles and ligaments, it’s only natural that chiropractic be the treatment of choice.

    Many studies have also found individuals injured in MVA’s prefer chiropractic care for the treatment of their injuries. One such study evaluated 190 whiplash injury victims and found those who received chiropractic care reported treatment satisfaction of 100%.

    If you have been hurt in an auto accident, call us today.

    Muneses Chiropractic Center, PC
    Dr. Jeff Muneses
    10324-A Baltimore National Pike
    Ellicott City, Maryland 21042

    Tel: (410) 418-4007
    Fax: (410) 418-4009

    http://www.drjeff.net/

  • Jul20

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    Whiplash Injury and Cervicogenic Headache

    Posted in: Ellicott City Auto Accident, Ellicott City Auto Accident Injury, Ellicott City Car Accident

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    Barbara is a 45-year old woman with two adult children. She is employed full-time as a sales clerk at the local mall. Her job is not physically demanding nor is it ergonomically challenging. Her job allows her to assume multiple physical positions throughout the day while she is assisting a variety of customers with a variety of needs. There is no required heavy lifting or prolonged postures.

    Barbara is fit, with good muscle tone and posture. She stands 5 feet 4 inches tall and weight 120 pounds. Her exercise regime consists of walking several miles per day, nearly every day of the week, with a group of her friends.

    Barbara has suffered with chronic headaches for 24 years. In addition, her headaches seemed to make her right shoulder ache.

    Barbara’s headaches began when she was involved in a motor vehicle collision that occurred at 21 years of age. She did not recall many of the details of the collision other than that she was the driver of a vehicle that was struck from the rear. The collision caught her by surprise and she remembers her head being thrown backwards. There was no loss of consciousness, and she did not experience being dazed, confusion, disorientation, or loss of any memory. The damage to her vehicle was minor, and she was able to drive away from the accident scene after exchanging insurance information with the man who was driving the striking vehicle.

    Barbara did not experience pain or any other complaints at the accident scene. However, as the day progressed, she became aware of some minor neck stiffness. The next day was a different story. Barbara recalls that the next morning she was unable to pick her head up off her pillow without using her hands to assist her. Her neck was painful and stiff. And, she had a headache.

    Barbara attributed her neck and head signs and symptoms to a “strain” injury caused by the vehicle collision she was involved in. She took some over-the-counter pain pills, and within a few days she was much improved.

    However, about a week after the collision, Barbara became more aware that she still had a headache, and that it did not appear to be improving. Rather it seemed to be becoming more pronounced. The headache was located at the right upper posterior area of her neck and also around and behind her right eye.

    Since being injured 24 years ago, Barbara has had to constantly deal with her headaches. They occur frequently and range in severity from annoying to debilitating. When she is suffering from a bad headache, she also notices an abnormal sensitivity to bright lights (photophobia). She notes that apparent triggers for her headaches range from certain neck movements to prolonged neck postures. Her headaches are always only on her right side.

    Barbara’s examination shows significantly reduced lateral flexion and rotation of the upper cervical spine on the right side. She is very sensitive to mild/moderate digital pressure applied to the suboccipital region and muscles. Importantly, her right-sided frontal (around her eye) headache can be triggered by sustained deeper pressure at the inferior margin of the right inferior oblique muscle. Recall, the inferior oblique muscle exists between the spinous process of the axis (C2) and the transverse process of the atlas (C1). (Two easily identifiable landmarks for a practicing chiropractor; see drawing page 10).

    Barbara reports that she has consulted a number of medical doctors (general practitioners, not specialists) about these headaches, resulting in her taking a variety of over-the-counter and/or prescription medications. She reports that these drugs definitely help her, especially when her headache is severe. She states that she takes pain medicines for her headache 10-15 days per month. But, after developing some gastrointestinal bleeding from taking over-the-counter drugs, her primary care physician suggested she try the COX-2 inhibitor drug Celebrex. She has now been consuming Celebrex 10-15 days per month, reporting that it is quite helpful when she has a bad headache.

    However, Barbara became concerned after hearing media reports of Celebrex and other pain medicines being associated with an increased risk of heart attacks. In addition, she reported that she was weary of having to consume pain medicines 10-15 days per month to function appropriately in her life. Barbara acknowledges that medicines she had been taking for her headaches were helpful, but that they had not cured her headaches, and her suffering had been going on for 24 years.

    Courtesy of The Chiropractic Impact Report

    For more information please visit www.drjeff.net

  • Mar8

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    Auto Injury Related Statistics

    Posted in: Ellicott City Auto Accident, Ellicott City Car Accident, Ellicott City Car Accident Whiplash

    Minimum Accident Speed to Cause Injury

    • Studies involving live humans have demonstrated that a motor vehicle accident of as little as 5 mph can induce cervical (neck) injury. However, other studies have shown that cars can often withstand crashes of 10 mph or more without sustaining damage.

    Time for Symptoms to Present

    • Symptoms arising from injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents were once thought to present immediately following the accident. However, research and clinic experience now demonstrate that a delay of symptom onset seems to be the norm. Also, delay of symptom onset does not eliminate the possibility of severe injury.

    Number of Disabilities from Automobile Accidents

    • Most experts have found that 10 percent of all motor vehicle accident victims become disabled.

    Symptom Resolution Statistics

    • Many studies have found a significant number of individuals to be symptomatic for many months and even years after a motor vehicle accident. In one such study, 75 percent of individuals remained symptomatic 6 months after the accident.
    • Another study, published in the European Spine Journal, found that during the period of time between the first and second years following a motor vehicle accident over 20 percent actually had their symptoms worsen.

    Number of Annual Motor Vehicle Accidents

    • According to the National Safety Council (NSA), there are more than 12 million motor vehicle accidents annually including more than 20 million vehicles. This results in over 5 million nonfatal accidents annually of which approximately 2 million are disabling injuries including approximately 1 million work-related auto disabling injuries.

    Injury Severity in Motor Vehicle Accidents

    • A 1990 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study reported found that about 28 percent of occupants in motor vehicle accidents incur minor to moderate injury while 6 percent incur severe to fatal injuries.

    Likelihood of being Involved in a Motor Vehicle Accident

    • The US Department of Transportation estimates that the typical driver will have a near automobile accident one to two times per month and all will be in a collision of some type on average of every 6 years.

    Annual Costs of Motor Vehicle Accidents

    • According to a report released back in 1993, the total costs for motor vehicle accidents in the US was over $333 billion in 1988.

    Who Pays for Injuries Sustained in Motor Vehicle Accidents?

    According to the Insurance Research Council,

    • 63 percent of injuries are paid by the injured individuals own automobile insurance company
    • 55 percent of injuries are paid by the auto insurance company of another vehicle
    • 36 percent of injuries are paid by health insurance
    • 20 percent of injuries are paid by government programs
    • 19 percent of injuries are paid workers’ compensation insurance
    • Almost 60 percent of those injured reported to have used 2 or more sources of payment.

    If you or a friend have been in an automobile accident call today… (410) 418-4007

    Muneseses Chiropractic Center, PC

    Dr. Jeff Muneses

  • Sep12

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    Whiplash-What Can I do to help?

    Posted in: Ellicott City Auto Accident, Ellicott City Auto Accident Injury, Ellicott City Auto Injury, Ellicott City Car Accident Whiplash, Ellicott City Neck Injury, Ellicott City Neck Injury Accident, Ellicott City Whiplash

    Whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly and forcefully jerked, and is typically associated with car crashes.  The speed at which the neck is forced upon impact is faster than we can contract our muscles in attempt to stop the forceful movement.  This results in muscle, tendon, and/or ligament over-stretching, even tearing.  Symptoms include stiff and painful neck movements, weakness or, the head “feels heavy” making it challenging to “hold up” as well as headache, and sometimes dizziness, ear noises, TMJ or jaw pain, and “mental fog.” What should be done if a whiplash injury occurs?

    The amount or degree of damage to the soft tissues – that is, the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and disks of the neck — will be the deciding factors as to how much rest vs. activity should be initially performed.  If there are no fractures, dislocations or other injuries resulting in an unstable cervical spine (neck), studies have shown rest and a soft collar is actually harmful when compared to early return to activity and exercises.  Chiropractic treatment, which essentially exercises the joints of the neck, has been shown to speed recovery when performed sooner rather than later after a whiplash injury.  A handy way to classify the injury includes four categories: 1) Pain with no significant abnormal clinical findings; 2) Pain with mild clinical findings and range of motion loss; 3) Pain with neurological injury (resulting in radiating arm pain); and 4) Pain associated with fracture and/or dislocation.  Those suffering with category 1 or 2 injuries should minimize rest, collar use, proceed with life’s activities and not be afraid to do desired activities.  More aggressive exercise and, utilizing chiropractic adjustments as soon as possible is very effective in the first two categories of injury.  Category 4 (fractures and dislocations) injuries require the use of a rigid collar usually for 4-6 weeks as rest/protection is imperative. Category 3 demands careful monitoring by your chiropractor as neurological problems like arm pain and numbness, muscle strength weakness, must be watched during the healing process.  The use of ice is helpful with all four categories of injury and exercise training is important and can be started sooner in the first two categories of injury.

    What can you do if you sustain a whiplash injury?  The first order of self-help is the use of ice.  This is a much better choice over the use of heat as ice reduces swelling and pain while heat can increase swelling because it brings in more blood flow into an already swollen area.  The heat may feel good during its use but most patients report the pain either returns shortly thereafter or feels worse.  Ice and heat can be alternated but ice should be emphasized by using ice for 10 minutes, heat 5 minutes, and repeat the ice / heat / ice approach starting and ending with ice. One session usually equals 40 minutes (ice/heat/ice/heat/ice for 10+5+10+5+10, respectively, = 40 min.), and several sessions can be repeated each day.  The old adage of “ice for 24 hours followed by heat” does NOT apply here as ice or “contrast therapy” of ice/heat/ice/heat/ice can be performed for as long as there is pain or, for several weeks or longer.  The good news is that you will never hurt yourself by using ice but, you can make it hurt worse by using heat too soon so, when in doubt, use ice!  The next, very important, recommendation is to utilize exercises to stretch and strengthen the neck and upper back region. The “general rule” of exercise is slow repetitions staying within “reasonable” boundaries of pain.  That is, a good, stretch type of pain is encouraged while avoiding sharp pain.  We have discussed several very practical neck stretches and strengthening exercises previously and we will again address this in the future. Posture correction of chin tucks, keeping your head back over your shoulders is very helpful as well. We realize that you have a choice in where you choose for your healthcare services.  If you, a friend or family member requires care for whiplash, chiropractic care is a logical first choice and we would be honored to offer our services to you.

    Do you like this information?

    If so, please visit www.drjeff.net

  • Feb3

    11 Comments

    Types of Injuries

    Posted in: Ellicott City Auto Accident, Ellicott City Auto Accident Injury

    Whiplash

    Whiplash is the most common injury sequelae following motor vehicle accidents. Speeds of as little as 5 mph have been documented to result in whiplash injuries. And although whiplash is prevalent in today’s society with hundreds of studies on the topic, it is not yet fully understood.

    What is whiplash?

    The term “whiplash” was coined by Dr. Harold Crowe back in 1928. It is used to refer to:

    1. the hyperextension/hyperflexion injury of the neck, and
    2. the resulting symptoms of this injury – sustained from a motor vehicle accident.

    This forwards-flexion and/or backwards-extension of the neck essentially results in a soft tissue sprain/strain injury to the structures within the cervical and upper thoracic spinal regions. When the initial impact occurs and the head is forced in either excessive flexion or excessive extension, protective reflexes cause the muscles of the neck to forcefully contract which “whips” the head back in the opposite direction. The resulting injury often leads to numerous symptoms, many of which are confusing and poorly understood.

     

    What symptoms are associated with whiplash?

    Symptoms following a “whiplash” accident include:

    • neck pain, tenderness, achiness and stiffness
    • cervical muscle spasms
    • tenderness and nodules in superficial cervical musculature
    • cervical reduced range of motion
    • post-traumatic headaches (including migraine and muscle-tension headaches)
    • shoulder and interscapular pain
    • hand and finger pain, numbness and tingling
    • blurred vision
    • difficulty swallowing/feeling of lump in throat
    • dizziness and balance problems
    • lightheadedness
    • post-traumatic depression and cognitive problems

     

    What structures are damaged in whiplash injuries?

    Whiplash injuries can damage just a few structures or many, depending on the severity of the accident and direction of the injurious forces, to name a few.

    Some of the more common pain-sensitive structures that are damaged include:

    • outer layers of the intervertebral discs
    • intervertebral ligaments
    • capsule of the facet joints
    • anterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the front of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive extension)
    • posterior longitudinal ligament (runs down the back of the vertebral bodies-prevents excessive flexion)
    • nerve root dura
    • extensor spinal musculature
    • flexor spinal musculature: the colli and scalene muscles

    Damage to any of these structures results in tissue inflammation, tissue edema, microscopic hemorrhage, and the release of noxious chemicals such as histamine, prostaglandins, substance P, and kinins which further hypersensitize already painful and injured tissues.

     

    How is whiplash treated?

    The most important aspect of a successful treatment program involves active patient participation and patient compliance to the agreed upon program. When treatments focus solely on pain-relief and not tissue rehabilitation or when patients fail to comply with the prescribed treatment plan, the chronicity of problems becomes highly likely.

    The chiropractic approach to treating whiplash injuries is highly successful compared with other health care professionals because chiropractors focus on rehabilitating the injured tissues and restoring optimal function. This is reflected in the high patient satisfaction scores that chiropractors have received in “patient satisfaction surveys” performed on MVA patients.

    Chiropractic care is a safe, natural, noninvasive, and addresses the cause of the symptoms. Our treatments also include active patient participation, and in some cases, lifestyle modifications. While we do focus on eliminating pain early on, we realize that in addition to pain – optimal tissue healing, restoration of normal function, and prevention of future recurrences and reinjuries – are equally important.

    Our treatments are highlighted by our use of many gentle and highly effective spinal adjustive techniques. When used properly, these techniques allow us to safely and effectively reduce pain levels, reduce muscles spasms, eliminate inflammation, restore normal joint motion and biomechanics, prevent or minimize degenerative processes, and minimize the likelihood of future recurrences.

    We also incorporate many natural and safe adjunctive therapies into our treatment plan to further assist in the healing process. Some common adjunctive therapies include ice therapy, heat therapy, physical therapies like therapeutic ultrasound and muscle stimulation, spinal traction, soft tissue mobilization, spinal exercises and stretches, and nutritional supplementation.

     

    How long do whiplash treatments take?

    As with any other injury, there are a number of factors which influence the treatment length of whiplash injuries:

    • the severity of the injury
    • when treatment was initiated
    • patient compliance to the treatment plan
    • the nature of the accident
    • the size and speed of your vehicle and other vehicles involved
    • whether or not seat belts were worn
    • whether you were aware of the impending accident
    • the height of the head rest
    • the age of the individual
    • the size and strength of the cervical musculature
    • the presence of preexisting spinal conditions

    The easiest and most effective way of eliminating pain and preventing residual and chronic problems is to start care immediately following the accident. As you allow time to slip by without seeking appropriate treatment, your injuries become more permanent and far more difficult to manage.

     

    Will I have future problems from my whiplash injury?

    Numerous studies show that many whiplash victims have a relatively poor outcome without immediate and appropriate treatment. One such study found that 75% of patients with whiplash still suffer from symptoms 6 months after the accident. Experts agree that individuals with any degree of neck complaints following a motor vehicle accident dramatically improve their prognosis if they seek immediate evaluation and appropriate treatment within hours of the accident.

     

    Interesting whiplash statistics:

    • whiplash symptoms last more than 6 months in 75% of patients
    • symptoms of whiplash commonly do not appear until weeks or months after the accident
    • whiplash victims lose an average of 8 weeks of work
    • whiplash is 5 times more common in women than in men
    • whiplash occurs most commonly in those aged 30 to 50 years
    • rear-end collisions typically cause more cervical spine damage than do frontal or side collisions
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