Yesterday we discussed the ABC’s of injury care in the wake of a car accident, but we only covered letters A through M. Today, we’re back to cover the rest of the alphabet so you can better care for yourself after an auto accident. In case you missed Part 1, click here.
The ABC’s of Pain Care: N-Z
- N – Nerve Injuries – Nerve injuries can cause a whole host of problems after a car accident, from numbness and tingling to limb weakness and pain. Nerve damage can be cared for through a variety of techniques, like chiropractic care, injections, physical therapy
and surgery. - O – Ocular Injuries – Facial injuries to the cheeks, nose or directly to the eyes can cause severe ocular injuries. We don’t need to tell you how important your eyesight is, so if you suffer an acute facial injury, or if you are experiencing blurred or double vision after an accident, get to a doctor immediately.
- P – Physical Therapy – Injuries typically need a two-pronged approach to heal. Rest is a good start, but you always need to but in some work on your end through physical therapy. Strengthening the injured areas can increase blood flow and expedite healing. Physical therapy can also help a person regain movement and range of motion in injured areas.
- Q – Quickly – The rate at which you should visit an injury specialist in the wake of an auto accident.
- R – Radiculopathy – Radiculopathy is a medical term that denotes a condition affecting the nerves. Any injury or medical condition that impacts the nerve roots in the spine falls under the category of radiculopathy. Radiculopathy is not something to be ignored. If left untreated, it can lead to chronic pain or even permanent nerve damage.
- S – Surgery – Surgery is generally either the first or last option for a person who has suffered a car accident. If they are severely injured, emergency surgery might be necessary. On the flip side, patients may opt to try physical therapy, injections or chiropractic care before going under the knife to solve their pain problem.
- T – Tissue injuries – Trauma to the soft tissue can cause internal bleeding or excess pressure in an area, which may need to be addressed. The most common type of soft tissue injury during a car accident is whiplash.
- U – Ultrasound – X-rays are great for diagnosing a range of injuries, but sometimes an ultrasound is actually the best option. Ultrasounds allow doctors
too see a more detailed picture of injuries to soft tissues. - V – Vehicle – The type of vehicle you’re traveling in plays a significant role in your safety during an accident. For more information on the safest and most dangerous vehicles, click here.
- W – Whiplash – As we mentioned above, whiplash is the most common type of injury in a rear-end car crash. Whiplash occurs when the neck is suddenly thrust in one direction. Treatment usually involves pain medication, bracing, rest and sometimes pain injections.
- X – X-Ray – An X-ray is a typical method used to diagnose fractures or injured bones. This will allow the doctor to see exactly what’s going on inside your body so they can develop a treatment plan.
- Y – Youth Injuries – Children and infants aren’t immune to car crash injuries, and severe injuries can impact their development as they continue to grow. If you think your child has been injured in a crash, schedule an appointment with a specialist.
- Z – Zoom – Zoom on
in to Injury Physicians after your next accident!