Common injuries from slip and falls result in over 8 million emergency room visits in the United States yearly. Such accidents can lead to long-term complications, and the path to recovery may be stressful.
While effective, conventional treatments can be expensive and risky for some patients. Fortunately, a safe treatment option is within reach. This blog will discuss chiropractic care as a holistic approach that helps your body heal faster.
Slip and fall accidents often result in injuries to the lower extremities, particularly the knees and the ankles. When we lose our balance and fall, our natural instinct is to extend the legs to break the fall, which frequently leads to twisting or impact injuries. Knees are susceptible to ligament tears, such as ACL and MCL injuries, as well as dislocations and fractures. Ankles, on the other hand, commonly suffer from sprains and fractures.
Among the various injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents, hip fractures are one of the most serious, especially for older adults. It requires extensive recovery time and leads to long-term complications, such as decreased mobility and independence.
The spine is also highly vulnerable during a fall. Spinal injuries may include
Back muscle pain, resulting from strains and sprains, often accompanies these conditions, causing discomfort and limiting movement.
Moreover, shoulder injuries can occur when a person tries to catch themselves during a fall. These injuries might include dislocations, fractures, and rotator cuff tears.
Upper extremity injuries are another frequent consequence of slip and fall accidents, primarily affecting the wrists and elbows. When falling, we instinctively extend our arms to break the fall, so they often bear the brunt of the impact. Wrists are particularly vulnerable to fractures and sprains due to the force exerted on them during the fall. Elbow injuries, such as fractures or dislocations, are also common and can be quite painful.
Head and neck injuries are particularly concerning in slip and fall incidents due to their potential severity. Whiplash is a common neck injury that occurs when the head is suddenly jerked backward and then forward, causing strain on the neck muscles and ligaments. On the other hand, head injuries from falls can range from mild to traumatic. Even minor concussions can cause headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties.
Chiropractic care primarily revolves around adjustments—targeted manual manipulations performed by a chiropractor on the spine or other parts of the body. It aims to restore proper alignment, thereby enhancing nervous system function and promoting overall health.
Chiropractic adjustments can be particularly beneficial for individuals recovering from injuries. In particular, a chiropractor for slip and fall injuries can help alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility, which is essential for the healing process. Additionally, improved spinal alignment can enhance the body's ability to repair tissues and recover from injuries more efficiently.
Chiropractic care offers significant pain relief for slip and fall injuries by reducing nerve pressure. When the spine is misaligned, it can compress or irritate the surrounding nerves, leading to pain and discomfort. Chiropractic adjustments help to correct these misalignments, thereby relieving the pressure on the nerves and reducing pain.
Inflammation is a common response to injury, and chiropractic care can effectively reduce it. By restoring proper alignment to the spine, chiropractic adjustments help improve blood flow and circulation, which are essential for easing inflammation.
Improved mobility is another key benefit of chiropractic care. Misalignments in the spine can lead to stiffness and restricted movement, making daily activities challenging. Chiropractic adjustments help to restore normal motion in the affected joints, allowing individuals to regain their independence and return to their regular activities more quickly.
Chiropractic care provides natural, faster, and longer-lasting relief compared to medication and surgery. It focuses on addressing the root cause of the pain rather than just masking the symptoms. As a result, the body heals more efficiently, leading to a quicker recovery time. Moreover, the benefits of chiropractic care are often more sustainable, reducing the likelihood of recurring issues and the need for invasive treatments.
One of the benefits of chiropractic treatment for slip and fall injuries is that it helps prevent future slip and fall injuries. Regular chiropractic adjustments maintain proper spinal alignment, which supports overall balance and coordination, reducing the risk of falls and other injuries.
Massage therapy involves manipulating the muscles and soft tissues to relieve pain and promote healing. It helps to improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate pain. For individuals recovering from slip and fall injuries, massage therapy can enhance the effectiveness of spinal adjustments. The increased blood flow and reduced muscle tightness facilitate a quicker recovery and improve overall mobility.
Spinal decompression therapy is a noninvasive technique designed to relieve pressure on the spinal disks and nerves. It involves gently stretching the spine using a specialized table or device, which creates negative pressure within the disks. This negative pressure helps to retract herniated or bulging disks and alleviate nerve compression.
For those recovering from slip and fall injuries, spinal decompression can address disk-related issues and enhance the effects of chiropractic adjustments. It can lead to reduced pain, improved disk hydration, and better overall spinal function.
Nerve blocks, pain injections, rhizotomy, and spinal cord stimulators offer advanced options for managing severe pain when conservative methods are insufficient. Additionally, minimally invasive spine surgery can be a last resort for addressing structural problems in the spine. These treatments provide additional pain relief and address more complex issues that may not be fully resolved through chiropractic adjustments alone.
You can take steps to lower your risk of falling.
Common injuries from slips and falls can significantly impact the body, causing pain and limiting daily activities. Fortunately, there is chiropractic care, an effective and natural way to manage pain, enhance mobility, and support healing.
South Bay Pain & Wellness has on board a team of experienced healthcare professionals dedicated to providing holistic and well-rounded treatment of different slip and fall injuries. Our practitioners bring years of expertise and specialized training in various disciplines.
We also specialize in providing exceptional injury care for federal workers and aiding with workplace injury claims. We'll guide you through the claims process and ensure your injury claims are accepted.
