Auto Accidents
Have You Been Injured in an Accident?
The most common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents are strain/sprain injuries due to overstretching and tearing of the muscles, supporting ligaments and nerve tissue. Strain/sprain injuries of the spine manifest pain, inflammation, muscle spasm and restricted range of motion. More severe injuries can include fractures, disk problems and damage to internal organs.
There are actually 3 collision factors which create these injuries. These include the significant kinetic forces generated upon collision between two vehicles, the striking of our body against objects within the interior of the vehicle and our internal organs impacting within our body cavities. Emergency departments are well equipped diagnostic facilities with experienced physicians who are highly trained in dealing with traumatic life threatening injuries.
Immediate Onset of Symptoms
An immediate or rapid onset of symptoms following motor vehicle accident warrants evaluation from a qualified provider. A good portion of our patients seen for follow-up treatment in our office have already been evaluated in the emergency room in which more serious injuries have been ruled out.
Gradual Onset of Symptoms
Some symptoms of injury might show up immediately but others may not appear for weeks. Be aware that soft injuries may not produce symptoms right away. Injuries may manifest gradually over the next few days and weeks. Inflammation and swelling of injured tissue occurs gradually within first 72 hours following accident.
Changing Symptoms
You may think that you understand your injuries within the first two or three weeks; however, if you have been involved in substantial trauma, your injuries will probably change in some way after the first three to four weeks. The initial injuries have potential to become more painful and worse over time.
Hidden Injuries
You may not even know it after the first week, but you might have suffered a low back strain when you were treated primarily for the acute cervical pain.
When you hit your head on the side window, you may have suffered a TMJ injury which may not be recognizable by you even 10 days after the injury.
Most disc injuries do not produce symptoms of nerve problems until the nerve being pinched by the disc become sufficiently irritated and inflamed. You can start out with only back pain after the accident and not experience any sciatica or radiating pain for a few days later.
Your sore throat that started after the accident may not be a virus or cold, but rather soft tissue swelling in the front of your neck due to over stretching of the soft tissue.
Immediate Care
Some symptoms of injury might show up immediately but others may not appear for weeks. It is usually wise to get evaluated following any accident. It tends to put your mind at ease if are told from a professional that you are in good shape with little to worry about. Dr. Herb Oliver is a chiropractic physician who specializes in the treatment of neck and back injuries.
Auto Injury Evaluation
- Consultation with Dr. Oliver to discuss in detail your symptoms and painful conditions.
- Examination includes physical, orthopedic, chiropractic and neurological examination procedures to evaluate the extent of soft tissue inflammation, tissue sensitivity, muscle spasm, painful motion, restricted motion in neurological status.
- Review of records. If seen by other providers, we will request records and x-ray reports, which are easily obtained via facsimile from the emergency room or your other providers.
- Diagnostic. Dr. Oliver will discuss the necessity for additional x-rays or other specialized diagnostic testing such as MRI or CT scan.
- Case Presention Once all the clinical data has been correlated and a clear diagnoses have been obtained, we will discuss the nature and extent of your injuries. Should your injuries require treatment, we will discuss your treatment options in order to reduce pain and restore your physical function.
Quality Care
Our commitment is to provide high-quality care with therapy procedures producing the best possible outcome, hopefully to a pre- accident status. Dr. Oliver has over 30 years experience in the management nonsurgical spinal injuries. Our goal is to help you overcome the acute phase of your injury and facilitate restoration of spinal function during the healing phase of your injuries.
Expert Witness
Dr. Herb Oliver provides independent medical examinations and second opinion evaluations on behalf of attorneys, insurance companies, and other providers.
Difficult medical legal issues arise when some accident victims do not completely recover despite the best efforts of good providers. Dr. Oliver's experience allows him to address difficult medical legal issues, such as causation, apportionment, impairment, disability, and future treatment needs.
Oliver Chiropractic has extensive experience in working with attorneys and insurance companies. We understand the documentation requirements that they require to evaluate your injuries and your treatment needs.