Category: Uncategorized

Here Are the Most Common Boating Injuries We See in Tampa Bay

When you head out for a day of sun and fun on the water, the last thing you want to think about is getting injured. Unfortunately, boating accidents are all too common, not just in Tampa Bay but across the country. Here are the most common boating injuries we see in Tampa Bay, and what you should do to treat them.

Lacerations

The most common type of boating injury—not just in Tampa Bay but across the country—is a laceration. A laceration is any cut to the skin. They often cause bleeding but can also affect muscle tissue and cause nerve damage if the cut goes deep enough.

Recreational boats are often made of breakable materials like fiberglass or aluminum. When these vessels take damage in a collision, anyone nearby can get cut by these materials when they shatter. Unintentional contact with a vessel’s propeller is another common reason for lacerations, which can happen anytime boats are operating near people in the water.

Broken Bones

There are several ways you can break a bone on a boat. Whether you’re thrown from the vessel during an accident, or you break your leg due to a fall, broken bones are a common maritime injury. Seek medical attention right away for a broken bone—not only can the condition be painful, but it can completely change the way you live your life if the issue isn’t addressed right away.

Contusions

A contusion is a fancy name for a bruise, but that doesn’t mean this type of injury is minor or should be ignored. Contusions occur when blood capillaries below the skin rupture, usually due to trauma. They can affect muscle tissue and bone in some severe cases, so you should always seek professional medical attention to prevent further or prolonged injury.

Head Injuries

While not as common as the injuries described above, head injuries are some of the most severe. A head injury can substantially increase the risk of drowning, and it can even cause traumatic brain injury. Head injuries can also include other medical emergencies, like lacerations, skull fractures, or contusions. Any person suffering a head injury while boating should seek professional medical attention right away.

Back Injuries

Back injuries can be severe, especially when they involve the spinal cord. These accidents can occur in several ways on a boat, from impact due to a collision to a slip and fall. They can result in a variety of worrying conditions, including lifelong pain, herniated discs, nerve damage, paralysis, and more. Always seek medical attention if you’ve suffered a back injury, whether on a boat or on land.

Recover From a Boating Injury with Impact Medical Group of Lutz

Suffered an injury while boating? The sooner you seek medical attention for your symptoms, the sooner you can begin healing and keep injuries from getting worse. Impact Medical Group of Lutz is here to help you on your journey to recovery. Call us today at (813) 536-0373 to schedule your consultation.

Does Manual Therapy Only Help Soft Tissue Injuries?

Should you ever get into any unfortunate accident that leads to soft tissue injuries, you can count on manual therapy to help relieve the pain and promote a faster healing time. However, manual therapy isn’t only good for soft tissue injuries. The professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey would like to inform you of what manual therapy entails and all the wonderful ways it can benefit you.

What is Manual Therapy?

Chiropractic care is usually the first type of treatment that people think of when they get an accident-related injury, and that’s a very healthy way of thinking. However, while a chiropractor can take care of many of the issues concerning your body, a manual therapist can give you added benefits in conjunction with any other care you’re seeking. During manual therapy, your soft tissue is encouraged to relax and revert into its natural form or position. As you can imagine, this style of treatment can lead to a vast number of benefits.

The most prevalent use for manual therapy is the treatment of soft tissue injuries which also happen to be the most common form of accidental injury. Anything to do with your muscles, tendons, and ligaments can all be relieved through this treatment method. This is because manual therapy is effective in breaking down scar tissue in order to make way for your muscles to lengthen out and heal properly. But that’s not all that this form of treatment can do.

How Manual Therapy Helps with Other Issues

While manual therapy is great for treating injuries regarding your soft tissue, it can help in many other ways. For one, it improves the circulation in your body for an overall wonderful feeling and the ability to heal faster in most aspects. Manual therapy can also assist in the treatment of other injuries such as:

• Lower back pain. Gently pressing into the lower back can loosen up tension and relieve stiffness and pain.
• Repetitive strain. With techniques designed to relax the body, you can feel tremendous relief from the constant and frequent uncomfortableness that has been wearing down your body.
• Rotator cuff tears. Located in the area where the arm connects to the shoulder, manual therapy can target your rotator cuff and treat it as it does with soft tissue injuries.
• Your neck and head can directly affect your brain, and so providing relief in those areas has been proven to help with concussions.
• Spinal cord injuries. After an impact, your spinal discs could fall out of place leading to a number of spinal cord injuries. Manual therapy can help guide your discs back into place and restore your alignment.

The Best Manual Therapists in Port Richey

If you believe that manual therapy can help you, come visit the experts at Impact Medical Port Richey! Our manual therapists are skilled in all the best practices to pave the way for a speedy recovery, and you’re guaranteed to feel sweet relief after each session. Give us a call at (727) 848-3377 to schedule an appointment today!

What Is the Best Age to Get Preventative Botox?

Did your grandmother ever yell, “don’t make that face or it will get stuck that way” at you? That may be why many of us are turning to preventative BOTOX these days. But when is the best age to begin treatments? Impact Medical Rejuvenation of Tampa shares more about the BOTOX timeline below.

With 43 muscles in the face working to create frowns, smiles, “duck faces,” and more to capture that perfect profile picture, it’s no wonder why BOTOX treatments have risen in popularity. When we move our facial muscles, our skin adapts to accommodate and creates “dynamic wrinkles.” These wrinkles only appear with certain facial expressions and generally disappear when the face is rested. Over time, these take longer to fade or in some cases, can take up permanent residency on the face. Working with a professional can help you design an anti-aging treatment plan that will combat those uninvited guests.

Because each face is different, there is no set age to start preventative BOTOX treatments. FDA-approved for patients 18 years and older, most people begin treatments in their 20s and 30s. However, because wrinkles usually form after your 20s, use a general rule to consider BOTOX at the first sign of noticeable lines or wrinkles on your face. For many, this happens somewhere in their 30s.

How do you know preventative BOTOX treatments are right for you? During a consultation at Impact Medical Rejuvenation of Tampa, our team will discuss and review any areas of concern while also creating a personalized treatment plan. Ready to learn more? Contact us at (813) 283-1910 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

How Can I Tell If I Have Seat Belt Syndrome?

In many cases, wearing a seat belt while driving or riding in a vehicle is the best choice to reduce the risk of injury and death during an accident. But even so, there is evidence that indicates that seat belt use can cause serious injuries to the internal organs of the abdomen, which is known as seat belt syndrome.

Our car accident care team at Impact Medical Sun City Center explains seat belt syndrome and what you should do if you have been injured by your seat belt during a car crash.

What is Seat Belt Syndrome?

Seat belt syndrome happens when the seat belt compresses the abdomen during a car accident-causing damage to the internal organs and abdominal wall.

Injuries that might be associated with seat belt syndrome include injuries to the:

• Stomach
• Small bowels
• Kidneys
• Bladder
• Colon
• Spine

Symptoms of Seat Belt Syndrome

One of the first symptoms of seat belt syndrome may be bruising to the abdomen alongside abdominal pain. Unfortunately, until other symptoms manifest, it can be hard to detect injury to the internal organs of the abdomen.

If you observe the following symptoms following an accident, you should seek medical care as soon as possible and ask about tests to determine if you have seat belt syndrome.

• Bruising and muscle strain around the abdominal region
• Seat belt marks or bruising across the abdomen
• Muscle strain around the abdomen
• Sternum pain
• Swelling or discoloration that does not disappear in a few days
• Weakness in the legs
• Dizziness or weakness that could indicate damage to internal organs
• Blood in stool or urine
• Changes in bowel movements or urination
• Constipation and bleeding
• Vomiting or coughing up blood
• Difficulty breathing
• High blood pressure
• Abdominal pain or pain between the ribs or hips

Diagnosing Seat Belt Syndrome

Seat belt syndrome can be very difficult to diagnose as symptoms may not manifest immediately following a car crash.

It is important that you seek medical treatment and have a doctor perform a physical examination if you have any symptoms of abdominal injuries.

CT scans and focused abdominal sonography in trauma (FAST) are usually required to diagnose trauma and damage to the internal organs. And in some cases, invasive techniques such as laparotomy (abdominal surgery) may be required to diagnose the injuries that are associated with seat belt syndrome.

Complications of Seat Belt Syndrome

If left untreated, the injuries from a seat belt could become life-threatening or cause permanent impairments or disability.

Because seat belt syndrome injuries may not manifest with visible symptoms for days after the accident, treatment is often delayed. This delay in treatment can cause complications including organ failure and infection.

Seek Medical Treatment Immediately

Following any kind of accident, it is important to seek emergency medical care. This is true even if you don’t have symptoms or do not think that you have suffered a serious injury.

Remember, accident care doctors are trained to know whether your seat belt injury is a bruise or the signs of something more serious.

Further, to use your Personal Injury Protection (PIP) benefits you must seek medical care within 14 days of an accident, or you will forfeit the compensation that you are entitled to.

Compassionate After Accident Care

If you have been in a car accident and are suffering from the symptoms of seat belt syndrome, don’t wait. Come visit our car accident clinic at Impact Medical Sun City Center for a medical examination ASAP.

Our team of experienced doctors is ready to help you on your road to healing. Call Impact Medical Sun City Center to schedule an appointment today; (813) 938-5195!