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Will My Car Accident Pain Go Away on Its Own?

Have you been injured in a car accident? If you’re experiencing pain following a car crash, you’re likely wondering whether it will go away naturally, or if you’ll need to seek care from the right medical provider. No matter how minor your accident, you’ll likely experience aches and pains following any collision. In some cases, these injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, and months of healing time. Here’s how you can expect to recover following a collision.

How Long Can You Expect to Be Sore After a Car Accident?

The human body is not made to withstand the impact of a car collision—even a minor one. Even if you’re driving the safest vehicle, and even if you’re wearing your seatbelt snugly, you can still suffer from an injury in even a minor collision. After a car accident, you can generally expect to feel sore or achy for up to 6 weeks. You may feel soreness or tightness in your neck or back from minor whiplash. It may be difficult to move your head or neck into some positions or to turn your head.

Other minor injuries like broken bones usually heal within 6 to 8 weeks, though you may feel soreness after that point. Typical strains and sprains also have a 6-to-8-week healing period.

Many people wonder whether they suffer from normal soreness after a car accident, especially if the soreness does not seem to fade over time. Each person and accident is different, which means recovery may be quicker or longer from person to person. The time your body needs to fully heal depends on several factors, including injuries you sustained and your medical diagnosis.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Your Pain

Wondering if your pain from a car accident is lingering longer than normal? You should always visit a doctor immediately after a car accident to identify potential injuries. If you’ve waited to seek treatment, or your pain hasn’t gone away several weeks after the accident, here are some signs that indicate you should seek medical attention for your pain:

• You’re experiencing headaches that won’t go away.
• You’re suffering from new, sharp pain.
• You’re experiencing weakness in your extremities.
• Your pain is only getting worse, not better.
• You’re experiencing problems with your vision or hearing.

Seek Medical Attention Right Away After a Car Accident

If you’re experiencing pain after a car accident, the best thing you can do is seek immediate care for your symptoms. If it’s been days and weeks following a collision and you’re still feeling minor aches and pains—don’t ignore them. At the first sign of pain, call the experts at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota at (941) 222-1157 right away. We’ll develop a custom treatment plan that sets you on the road to recovery and alleviates your pain.

Is Microneedling or Botox Better for Wrinkles?

Most people that look for a way to get a more youthful appearance must decide between the two most popular techniques: microneedling and Botox. But which one is better for wrinkles? Impact Medical Rejuvenation of Tampa weighs the pros and cons of both treatments so you can decide which is better for your skin. Let’s take a closer look below.

Both methods will indeed tone and plump the skin while reducing the appearance of lines and wrinkles. However, they each work in different ways to achieve those results. Botox is performed by injecting a serum under the skin while microneedling uses tiny needles to prick the skin and trigger natural cell production. The latter uses needles to prick only the skin’s top layer to affect the skin. Oppositely, Botox affects the facial muscles because it is injected underneath the skin’s surface.

Are you looking for rapid results for your wrinkles? If so, Botox might be right for you. Because the injectable spreads quickly beneath the skin, many see an immediate impact. Microneedling is almost the opposite because it stimulates your skin naturally, which may take a little more time to see full results.

How long can you expect results to last? The microneedling process relies on your skin’s natural healing process to work. Some results may become obvious in the first few days but to maintain those effects, monthly sessions are recommended. Botox results can last longer because of the impacted muscles that are frozen, or paralyzed, beneath the skin. Fading over time will occur so most Botox procedures can be done every three to six months.

If you are interested in what these two treatments can do for your skin, contact the Impact Medical Rejuvenation of Tampa today. Call us at (813) 283-1910 or visit us online to schedule an appointment.

Car Crash Injury Facts Everyone Should Know

Despite the increase in driver’s education and safety features in cars, car accidents and subsequent injuries happen far too often. Yes, car accidents are still the leading cause of injury and death, not to mention the stress and financial burden during their aftermath.

Our team at Impact Medical Zephyrhills discusses the car crash injury facts that everyone should know!

Car Crash Facts

Let’s look at some of the facts about car accidents and injuries so you are informed before you hit the road.

1. Most car accidents happen within 3 miles of the home
2. The most common causes of car accidents include fatigue, distractions, medical or emotional impairment, and environmental conditions.
3. Car accidents are the most common kind of personal injury
4. Seat belt laws exist in all 50 states
5. Alcohol-related car accidents make up at least one-third of all fatal crashes
6. Teenagers are four more times likely to be injured or die in a car crash than older people.

Car Crash Injury Facts

Here are some top injury facts to keep in mind before you get behind the wheel:

Injuries are Often Long-Lasting

Research has shown that musculoskeletal problems like those that result from even minor car accidents can result in permanent injuries. In fact, 62% of people who sustained whiplash-like injuries experienced residual effects for as long as 10-15 years after their accident.

Car Crashes Might be More Serious Than Suspected

If you have been in an accident and walked away without feeling pain, you should still get a medical examination right away. Here’s why:

• At least 1 in 4 people complain about symptoms following a car crash.
• 12% stated that they felt headaches and neck pain following an initial injury sustained in an auto accident.
• 55% of individuals involved in rear-end crashes are symptomatic 8 years after the accident according to a National Institute of Health report.
• Another study analyzed people who had been in car accidents for 15 years after their accidents. 70% of those studied still were experiencing symptoms 15 years later.

Alcohol and Drugs Are Often Involved

Alcohol and drug-related accidents have steadily risen each year. In 2017 alone, 6,148 accidents were caused by impaired drivers who were under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or both. It is illegal in the state of Florida to drive if you have a BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) of .08% or higher. 

Personal Injury Protection is Required

All Florida drivers are legally required to carry insurance coverage on their vehicles, including PIP, or Personal Injury Protection. PIP is used for medical costs and lost wages for an accident-related injury.

It is important to note that PIP only pays for accident-related medical expenses as long as you seek medical attention within 14 days of your accident. 

Most Common Car Crash Injuries

The most common car crash injuries include:

• Bruising
• Scars or disfigurement
• Broken bones
• Neck injuries
• Whiplash
• Wrist and hand injuries
• Leg & foot injuries
• Back and spinal injuries
• Concussions
• Brain injuries
• Burns
• Paralysis
• Internal bleeding

If you have been in a car accident, don’t wait to seek help. Remember, you have 14 days to use your PIP benefits, so seek medical attention promptly, even if you don’t think you are hurt. Car accident injuries often manifest in the days and weeks following an accident.

Post-Accident Treatment

If you have sustained an injury in a car accident in Zephyrhills, visit our car-accident clinic at Impact Medical Zephyrhills for a medical examination. Our team of doctors, physical therapists, chiropractors, and pain specialists will help you get back to optimal health!

Call us for an appointment today; (813) 706-5156!

Are Seat Belt Injuries Covered in Physical Therapy?

During a car accident, your seatbelt becomes your best friend. It can save you from serious conditions that could even be life-threatening. But in order to protect you, it can cause some minor injuries in the process. Thankfully, these less-critical damages can be easily treated with physical therapy. The medical professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey will show you how.

Common Seat Belt Injuries

When bracing for impact, your seat belt is designed to lock up and hold you in place. Although this can keep you from flying out the windshield, the brute force of your body against the seat belt can be rough and lead to certain injuries.

Shoulder Injuries

Since most seat belts are designed to be secured across your body diagonally, the shoulder becomes the most likely target for injuries during a car crash. The tendons and muscles in your shoulder can tear and become inflamed and you may experience intense pain in that general area.

Chest and Sternum Injuries

The chest area is the next most common location for seat belt injuries which are caused by your body pressing into the locked seat belt. With your sternum being front and center, it’s possible for the impact to affect it and dig deep enough to hurt the organs behind it. You’ll notice soreness in your chest, especially if your ribs also become bruised in the process.

Abdominal Injuries

Although less likely than injuries involving the shoulder and chest, your abdomen can also experience certain injuries such as inflamed soft tissue. If the impact is hard enough, the pain can radiate past your tissue to the organs that are being protected.

It’s always best to call emergency services immediately after an auto accident to take care of any possible life-threatening conditions. But for optimal recovery soon after, physical therapy is the best thing you can do for your body. The longer you wait to get a physical examination, the worse your injuries can become, sometimes to the point of irreversible damage. Plus, getting seen by a physical therapist can help you qualify for insurance coverage through PIP Florida state law.

How Physical Therapy Can Treat Seat Belt Injuries

The point of physical therapy (PT) is to restore your body back to a functional state through gentle movements and light exercises. But how does this help with seat belt injuries? PT can lessen inflammation in your affected areas to relieve pain and increase mobility. It’s easier for your body to recover when it’s not tense from pain. PT can also help you regain your lost strength after sustaining muscle and tendon damage.

Let Impact Medical Port Richey Treat Your Seat Belt Injuries!

If you’re feeling pain or stiffness in the chest, shoulders, or abdomen after an accident, call Impact Medical Port Richey at (727) 848-3377 as soon as you can to schedule a physical examination and get started on treatment through physical therapy. Our qualified physical therapists will put you on a recovery plan personalized to your situation for a fast recovery!