Car Accident Chiropractor in Oklahoma City and Surrounding Areas
The term “personal injury” means injury that has been caused by another individual in which the victim has suffered physically or mentally injuries. One of the most common types of personal injury lawsuits is that which results from a car accident. Unfortunately, car accidents are all too common in our society, with an estimated six million accidents happening in the U.S. each year. What can be worse is that many who suffer injuries in these car accidents do not receive the proper care that they will need. This results in chronic pain and suffering that can go on for years, decades, or the rest of one’s life.
Most common reasons people don’t seek care after an accident occurs is because, at the time, they actually felt okay for the most part. This is often due to the shock and adrenaline rush that occurs in such a rapid, intense moment. It is common for people to notice pain days or possibly weeks after the date of the accident once things calm down within your nervous system. For this reason, it is important that even if you feel okay immediately after, you should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional after an auto accident. Studies show that even contact between cars at speeds of 5 mph can cause bodily injury to a person. Most accidents occur at speeds significantly greater than that.
Time is of the essence when it comes to filing your claim with insurance companies. If you wait weeks or even months, they may question the validity of your injuries. In their eyes, if you were hurt, why did it take you this long to try and fix these problems? It is also important for your body to start treating any potential injuries as quickly as possible. The longer you wait to address your pains and condition, the more chronic it may become. Chronic problems are always more difficult to treat considering your body then becomes used to it being there that it thinks it is normal to have this problem. These types of problems typically take a lot longer to heal and can be a source of frustration for people. Therefore, it is wise to seek care as soon as possible following your car accident.
How We Treat Auto Accident Injuries in Oklahoma City and Surrounding Areas
Comprehensive Consultation and Examination
If you come to Venturis Clinic following your auto accident, your first visit will be very busy and thorough. We always start with a detailed history and consultation so that we can ensure that we document any and all of the key information and details surrounding the accident. We want to know exactly what happened, what your injuries are, and what kind of care you have received thus far, if any. The details we request are important because this is your baseline information to which all other exams will be compared to. This is how your progress is documented and demonstrated to insurance companies and attorneys alike.
After your consultation, we will do a detailed examination in order to document the objective data necessary for your care and your case. Dr. Alvin Philipose will walk you through a series of orthopedic, neurologic, and functional movement tests to accurately diagnose your condition. They will also check for subluxation, or misalignment, in your spine which could be the source of your pain from this accident. Following the examination, Dr. Philipose will run a Digital Motion X-ray if necessary in order to find the root of your problem. Afterwards, he will then discuss your visit frequency and schedule with you. It is important that you attend every visit so you can heal as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is also very important for insurance companies to see that there are no major gaps in your care.
Specific Chiropractic Care in Oklahoma City and Surrounding Areas
Chiropractic care is the bedrock of the care we provide because it directly influences the body’s nervous system. The nervous system is the master system of the body, as it controls all other functions of the body. Without a healthy nervous system, you can’t be a healthy individual, it is basically that simple. By addressing subluxation, which causes interference in the nervous system, Dr. Alvin Philipose is able to help people truly heal from their accident-related injuries, rather than just covering them up like a band-aid. All too commonly we will see new patients in our office with chronic pain that can be traced back to auto accidents that were 5, 10, or even 20 years ago. If the body does not heal properly from injuries, the effects can be lifelong. Seeing a Dr. Alvin Philipose will give you the best chance to make a full recovery and leave your injuries in the past for good.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions
Fascial Release of Dry Needling
When it comes to auto accidents, one of the first symptoms people notice is extreme muscle tension or soreness. Whether it be in the neck due to whiplash or in the lower back from the impact, the muscles get extremely tight and can spasm, causing tremendous discomfort for the individual. At Venturis Clinic, Dr. Alvin Philipose will use a range of soft tissue therapies to provide relief for these people and help them on their healing journey.
Fascial release of dry needling is one commonly used treatment in our office to help these muscles settle down. Dr. Alvin Philipose is an expert at working with auto accident patients and understand that they have different needs. Dr. Philipose is able to use the right amount of force to be therapeutically effective and work alongside chiropractic care to produce great results. Dr. Alvin Philipose will also utilize soft tissue therapies such as Active Release Technique and Graston Technique to reduce painful adhesions in the muscles and improve range of motion. Soft tissue therapy is a staple of our auto accident care and a massive part of the healing process.
Custom Therapeutic Stretching Plan
It is true that our bodies heal through movement. For this reason, incorporating stretches into our care for auto accident patients is imperative. Even if you are in a lot of pain, there are still benefits to even small movements such as basic range of motion stretching. Movement will stimulate blood flow, and blood flow is what helps our tissues get more oxygen, which is essential for healing. Also, stretching will provide more stability to a spine recovering from injury and trauma, and this stability is what provides the foundation for a future without chronic pain from the initial problems you were experiencing. The muscles that surround, support, and move the spine need to be on the same page and working together equally. Dr. Alvin Philipose will guide you through the right stretches during office visits, but also give you stretches to continue working on at home. That way, you are always in a state of healing.
Common Injuries from Car Accidents in Oklahoma City and Surrounding Areas
Whiplash and Neck Pain
Perhaps the most common injury sustained in car accidents is whiplash and neck pain. Whiplash occurs when the vehicle comes to a sudden stop, but the head keeps moving due to the momentum of the person’s body still moving despite the car stopping. This causes the head to move violently back and forth, causing tremendous strain on the muscles, ligaments, and joints of the neck. This can lead to sharp, severe neck pain and headaches that can drastically decrease range of motion and, at times, be completely debilitating. Treatments such as chiropractic and massage therapy are great at helping to alleviate the muscle spasms and allowing the muscles to relax so that improvements in range of motion can be made. This allows for further healing through gradual strengthening as exercise is appropriately incorporated into care.
Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain is another common ailment resulting from the impact of car accidents. Common sources of lower back pain can include muscle strain, disc injury, or sciatica, and they can also be a great hindrance to the individual regardless of which one(s) they experience. Treatments such as chiropractic and decompression therapy are great for getting the spine into alignment and taking the pressure off irritated discs and nerves that cause the sharp, shooting pain of conditions such as sciatica. Fascial release by dry needling is another great therapy for treating inflammation that results from disc injuries. This can oftentimes help people get through the acute stage of care and into a more stable condition where significant progress can be made.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulders are greatly impacted by car accidents. Not only do they suffer from muscle damage that occurs in the rotator cuff muscles, neck muscles, and upper and middle back muscles, but also the joints themselves can be damaged from the physical trauma of auto accidents. The shoulder is a complex joint, so it needs to be evaluated separately in order to accurately identify the cause of pain in a personal injury case. Chiropractors are greatly positioned to help people with shoulder pain. Chiropractic adjustments and soft tissue work are two great ways to improve range of motion and decrease pain in the various shoulder joints that make up the “shoulder”.
Hip Pain and Knee Pain
In the lower extremities, injuries typically depend on the amount of impact involved in the accident. Hips for example have the potential to be jammed into their socket, which can cause extensive pain and suffering. Knees can also be compromised by certain points of impact and can result in damaged or torn ligaments, which require lengthy recoveries. At Venturis Clinic, we have a unique array of treatments that can help people heal from these types of injuries and get back to living their lives how they want to. Things like dry needling and stretching will help to reduce inflammation, kickstart tissue healing, and restore function. Even if surgery is required for these kinds of injuries, our care can help shave off recovery time and get you back to where you want to be in a quicker fashion.
Call to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation
Ask about Digital Motion X-Ray Imaging
Offering variety of pain management solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is prolotherapy good for?
Many conditions respond well to prolotherapy, such as facet syndrome (back and neck arthritis), whiplash, joint sprains, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, tennis elbow, sprains, chronic tendonitis, Ehler’s-Danlos Disease, Bulging disc, knee pain, shoulder pain Vagus nerve inflammation and more.
What are the risks of prolotherapy?
Theoretical risks of prolotherapy injections include soreness, infection or neurological (nerve) damage. Injections should be performed by trained physicians using universal precautions diagnostics examinations and tproper examinations. This results in very minimal side effects.
What is the average cost of prolotherapy?
Costs vary quite a bit from $150-$1500 dependent on type and contents of injections.
Is prolotherapy a permanent fix?
Prolotherapy is an all-natural, permanent treatment, as it relies on the body repairing itself to reduce pain. In contrast, pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medications only provide temporary relief. Booster shots as well has wellness therapies including stretching, massage, chiropractic, dry-needling and strengthening will help maintain progress.
Who is a good candidate for prolotherapy?
More specifically, prolotherapy may be right for you if you experience any of the following: Damaged or lost tissue, especially surrounding the joints. If patients have tried various traditional treatments including prescription drugs, physical therapy, or steroids but seen minimal to no results, prolotherapy may be right for you.
Why does prolotherapy hurt so much?
A patient is generally sore for a couple of days after Prolotherapy. This is because the injections have to go through some muscles to get to the ligaments and tendons. To help the muscle soreness resolve itself sooner, dry needling and moist heat applied to the area is recommended.
Is prolotherapy better than cortisone?
Cortisone can cause tendon rupture, particularly of the achilles tendon. Prolotherapy is a proven orthopedic treatment to reduce pain and strengthen weakened joints without the negative side effects of cortisone.
What are the pros and cons of prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is great for strengthening weak joints and creating heightened muscle functionality, such as increased movement and flexibility. However, there are some risks involved, for example it is a shot like any other so there could be pain or tenderness to the injection site.
What should you not do after prolotherapy?
Due to the numbness we ask that you refrain from any strenuous activities but to stay mobile. Continue to move affected area to decrease soreness and stiffness. You should avoid strenuous physical activity for 2 days following injections. You will experience some pain and soreness 2-5 days after your treatment. Do not take any anti-inflammatories, pain medications or steroids during treatments. This may inhibit your body’s ability to heal the affected tissue.
How long does prolotherapy take to heal?
Most ligaments and tendons heal within a period of 3 months; however, the majority of healing after a prolotherapy session occurs in the first two weeks.
How many prolotherapy sessions will I need?
Prolotherapy treatments vary from person to person and from injury to injury. Many patients have experienced some relief of their pain with only one session. The average person requires anywhere from 3-12 treatment sessions spaced about 3-6 weeks apart from each other.
How long does a prolotherapy injection last?
On average, patients experience one year of improvement and relief from prolotherapy. However, there is a huge variation and sometimes improvement lasts from three months to 15 years.
What is injected during prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy involves injections of a mild irritant into the injured part of your body. Most of the time the injection contains saline, dextrose (a type of sugar), and lidocaine, which is a numbing agent. Dr. Philipose custom tailors the injection, so the exact composition depends on your needs. These injections may include natural collagen, minerals, amino acids and other natural substances to accelerate healing compared to traditional prolotherapy.
Is prolotherapy better than surgery?
Prolotherapy is considered a viable alternative to surgery, and as an option to pain medications, cortisone and other steroidal injections. The Prolotherapy procedure is considered a safe, affordable option that allows the patient to keep working and/or training during treatment.
Can prolotherapy reverse arthritis?
One study with 90 adults with knee osteoarthritis involved some participants getting monthly prolotherapy injections of dextrose for 3 to 5 months. Those who received prolotherapy saw a significant improvement in pain, function, and stiffness scores.
Does prolotherapy regrow cartilage?
Prolotherapy is an injection of a non-biologic substance with localized effects for repairing connective tissue injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Recent studies in humans show that prolotherapy stimulates cartilage regeneration.
Are you sedated for prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a safe, cost effective injection technique used for treating musculoskeletal injuries and chronic pain in various parts of the body. It is noninvasive, has limited side effects and does not require sedation.
What does dry needling actually do?
Dry needling treats muscle tissue, and its goal is to reduce pain, inactivate trigger points and restore function. It rarely is a standalone procedure. Rather, it often is part of a broader physical therapy approach incorporating other traditional physical therapy interventions into treatment.
What is dry needling and does it hurt?
We use very thin filament needles. The initial feeling of the needle entering through the skin is very minimal; much less than a vaccination or having blood drawn. Once the needle reaches the muscle, the twitch sensation feels more like a deep cramp and doesn't last long (15-30 seconds).
How long does dry needling results last?
After dry needling, experiencing some slight soreness is normal, and you will typically note an improvement in your symptoms within one to two days. How long the benefits will last will vary per individual. The first few treatments will usually have a short length of relief spanning over several days.
How many sessions of dry needling do you need?
If treatment zones are found and the correct muscle groups are targeted, sub-acute conditions will improve after three – four consecutive sessions, with chronic injuries requiring five – six consecutive needling sessions.
Does dry needling remove knots?
Dry needle therapy resolves muscle knots by inserting a very thin needle directly into the trigger point. The knot responds to the interruption and relaxes immediately. Most patients agree that dry needling doesn't hurt in the way that you might think!
How deep do dry needles go?
Superficial dry needling involves inserting a needle at a depth up to 10 mm or into the subcutaneous tissue and may be combined with manipulation of the needle while in situ.
Does dry needling reduce inflammation?
The micro tears caused by the needle prompts the body's natural defenses to get to work, bringing nutrient-rich blood to the site and boosting tissue repair. Dry needling also helps to dissipate inflammatory mediators, those substances that gather in an area of inflammation.
Is dry needling good for arthritis?
Dry needling is an effective treatment in reducing pain from osteoarthritis because it increases blood circulation around the joint, thereby providing natural relief.
What exactly does a chiropractor do?
A chiropractor is trained to make sure your body is functioning as optimally as possible by using spinal manipulations and other therapies to relieve pain in your joints and muscles. These spinal adjustments will increase blood flow and nerve conductivity to the joints and muscles that are experiencing pain. They are taught philosophically to find and treat the cause rather than just the symptoms.
Is it healthy to go to the chiropractor?
Spinal manipulation and chiropractic care are generally considered safe, effective treatments for acute low back pain, the type of sudden injury that results from acute or chronic conditions such as strains, arthritis or disc injuries.
What are the benefits of chiropractic care?
• Improves neck pain.
• Reduces reliance on opioid pain relievers.
• Eases back pain.
• Possible reduction of osteoarthritis symptoms.
• Eases headache symptoms.
• More affordable treatment for chronic back pain.
• High satisfaction.
• Reduces scoliosis symptoms.
What are the cons of seeing a chiropractor?
Spinal and joint manipulation has a chance to go wrong and may cause unwanted injuries. So it is important that you only have an appointment with an experienced chiropractor that performs the necessary examinations and diagnostics to ensure safe treatments. DO NOT ALLOW a physical therapist or any other untrained person try a manipulation especially without X-rays.
When should you go to a chiropractor?
Chiropractors are most sought after to treat neck and low back pain due to acute or chronic pain. If you experience back pain that lasts for more than a few days, consult a chiropractor for an assessment.
What cracks when you see a chiropractor?
During a back adjustment, your back undergoes quick, gentle stretching of the spinal facet joint, so you may hear a cracking or popping noise. This is caused by small pockets of air or bubbles, which are in the fluid that surrounds your joints.
Why do chiropractors want you to keep coming back?
Changing your posture, changing your spine's ability to move, changing your muscle health and structure take time. Months in fact. All muscles have memory and your body wants to go back to its old patterns instead of creating new healthy ones. That is why adjustments need to be repeated again and again
Is chiropractic care is ineffective?
Critics are skeptical mainly due to the fact that chiropractic care does not involve medications or any invasive surgeries. Some have associated this practice with some side effects and fatal complications in some cases resulting in death or stroke. It also goes against the medical philosophy of not prescribing medications. In recent years there has been a comparison that shows not only Chiropractic to be safe, but healthier and more successful than taking steroids and medications. There are also various techniques now that prevent any type of injuries due the gentleness of the adjustment.
Why do some chiropractors crack and others don't?
The noises you hear during chiropractic treatment depend on the technique used. For example, some techniques cause a cracking sound, and others don't, but both can be highly effective, depending on your needs. So, whether you hear an abundance of pops or none at all, you don't need to worry.
