Choosing an injury doctor is important, especially one with experience in the field of car accident injuries. An experienced Los Angeles injury physician will know exactly how to treat your wounds and can communicate with attorneys to ensure that all necessary information is documented.
Whiplash injuries are a common type of neck injury that can be treated with manual therapy and ice/heat. However, if you have severe whiplash, a neck collar may be required to fully stabilize your spine.
The neck is designed to bend and move easily from side to side, but when it gets snapped backward in a car accident or other trauma, the ligaments, muscles and discs can be damaged. This painful injury is called whiplash.
Muscle and ligament injuries are the most common types of whiplash. They usually heal quickly. Nerve injuries are more difficult to treat because they happen when the head snaps backward so fast that it stretches a nerve too far or causes a pinched nerve.
Getting prompt medical attention for your neck injury is the best way to reduce pain and speed up recovery. Your doctor will do a physical exam and check your range of motion. They may also do a CT scan or an MRI. They will look for signs of damage, including soft tissue swelling, to help determine the specific treatment plan. They may also recommend over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Other treatments that have been shown to improve symptoms include heat and cold therapy, massage and stretching, and mind-body techniques like tai chi, qigong and yoga.
Whiplash injuries are common in motor vehicle accidents, and they can also be caused by falls, physical assaults and sports injuries. They are a result of sudden impact that causes the head to jerk backward and then snap forward with great force. Injuries to the neck muscles, ligaments, tendons and discs can occur in a whiplash accident.
Neck pain and stiffness are the most common symptoms of a neck injury, but other signs include headaches and tingling in the arms or hands. A neck specialist is trained to help patients find relief from these symptoms with treatment that is patient-specific and effective.
The cervical spine has seven bones, known as vertebrae C1 through C7, and these bones are supported by a network of muscles, ligaments and tendons. These tissues can be injured with sudden trauma or with age-related degenerative changes of the cervical spine joints. Neck fractures are extremely rare, but they can be treated with surgery, traction or a rigid collar.
Whether you’re a high-profile athlete or a weekend warrior, playing sports puts your body at risk of injury. You can minimize your risk of injury through warmups, proper technique, and appropriate gear.
Even seemingly minor injuries can have serious repercussions if they’re not addressed immediately. So it’s important to see a Los Angeles injury doctor if you’re experiencing pain or a change in your normal range of motion.
A knee injury, for example, can be caused by overstretching the muscles or tendons in the leg. It may also be due to a dislocation, which means the bones are popped out of place in the joint. Treatments for fractures, dislocations, and other sports injuries usually include immobilization of the affected area in a splint or cast. In some severe cases, surgery may be required. Other treatments may involve a combination of injections, physical therapy, or orthotics.
No matter the job, working on the clock comes with inherent risks. Whether it’s a fall in the office lobby, a car accident while driving on the company business or a scaffolding incident at a construction site, injuries that occur in the workplace often require extensive rehabilitation and result in significant financial losses.
When workers are injured on the job, they are entitled to compensation through workers’ comp benefits. An experienced Los Angeles work injury lawyer can help victims file a claim and handle all legal aspects of the case.
Immediately report your injury to your supervisor. It’s also a good idea to notify law enforcement so a police report can be filed. Do not give a recorded statement to an insurance company or sign anything until you’ve spoken to a lawyer. The details of your injury may not be fully understood at that time, and your words could come back to haunt you. In some cases, your attorney may be able to get you an appointment with a specialized physician who can provide a fair and dependable examination that satisfies workers’ comp requirements.