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Seeking Medical Care for Injuries as A Non-Motorist?

Not all car accidents are vehicle-to-vehicle. What happens more often than people realize is that pedestrians will get hit by a car without anything surrounding them for protection. If you were fortunate enough to make it out of such a scary situation, there are actions you can take to assist your recovery. The professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey will teach you how to seek medical care for injuries as a non-motorist.

Non-Motorist Injuries

Non-motorists can actually experience the same symptoms as victims who were in the vehicle at the time of the accident. The most commonly affected areas are the neck and back, typically in the form of whiplash. Other symptoms include:

• Soft tissue injuries
• Bone fractures and breakage
• Spinal cord misalignment
• Pinched nerves
• Herniated discs
• Limited flexibility
• Jaw pain

When to Seek Care

Even if you’re treated on the scene by first responders, we still encourage you to get evaluated by a chiropractor or physical therapist as soon as you can since some underlying injuries don’t display symptoms until a while after the initial accident. If you live in Florida, it’s especially in your best interest to seek a qualifying specialist within 14 days of the accident in order to file a claim under your PIP coverage. But rather than waiting until the fourteenth day, it’s recommended to seek care no more than 72 hours after the accident in order to decrease the risk of any current injuries becoming more severe and eventually irreparable like developing a chronic disability.

Types of Care

Depending on the type and location of your injury, you could benefit from either chiropractic care or physical therapy, or even both.

Chiropractic Care for Non-Motorist Injuries

Since injuries gained from accidents are more commonly located in the neck and back, most people tend to seek out a chiropractor to help them recover. Chiropractic treatments are designed to lessen inflammation in areas of your body that were stretched or turned during the accident. Areas in need of treatment include the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. If you’re feeling any tension in these areas, a chiropractor will use short but sudden movements to adjust your body back to its original position.

Physical Therapy for Non-Motorist Injuries

Physical therapy is designed to target the muscles and joints of those who experience less range of motion and muscle strength than usual which commonly happens after an accident. After regularly attending physical therapy sessions, your body will gradually feel back to its normal self while minimizing pain.

Seek Professional Care at Impact Medical Port Richey!

If you were a non-motorist victim involved in an auto accident, call the professionals at Impact Medical Port Richey today at (727) 848-3377 to schedule an appointment and get started on the recovery process. All of our offices are HIPAA certified and staffed with the best in the industry. Our specialists will give you a thorough physical examination in order to determine the best path for you in a truly personalized recovery plan. To avoid further injuries, reach out today so we can treat you as soon as possible!

Does My Car Insurance Go Up If I Don’t Seek Medical Help After an Accident?

The aftermath of a car accident can be quite stressful and to top off all the medical bills or car repairs, you might be wondering if an insurance premium rate hike is on the horizon when the accident is reported.

In this case, it is important to remember that insurance plans vary, and many include accident forgiveness so don’t worry. But it is crucial to treat any injuries you sustained promptly to prevent further pain or money problems as you recover. 

Our team at Impact Medical Sun City Center discusses the ins and outs of car insurance and what could happen if you don’t seek proper medical care within your policy limits following an accident.

Car Insurance Plans Vary

Every insurance plan is different. While some might penalize the driver following an accident, some include accident forgiveness, usually if it is your first accident. If you aren’t sure if your plan includes accident forgiveness, check with your insurer before you experience a car accident.

For example, car insurance companies like Progressive offer accident forgiveness as soon as you become a customer. For certain incidents that are out of your control, the accident can be forgiven.

Another benefit that you can get from being a loyal customer of Progressive for five years, and accident-free for three, is Large Accident Forgiveness. In this case, your rate will not increase even if you are in an accident. Of course, it is important to remember that this can vary by state. 

Florida is a No-Fault State

Florida is considered a “no-fault” state which can impact how your doctor bills your insurance and how your insurance covers your medical bills. It is required that all Florida drivers carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in addition to their car insurance. This permits anyone that is involved in an accident to seek medical care from their own insurer without the hassle of waiting for a police report to decide which party is at fault. 

The caveat? You must receive medical care within 14 days of an accident to be eligible to use your PIP benefits to pay for your medical bills.

PIP Rates Could Rise with Each Use

PIP insurance covers 80% of medical bills and up to 60% of lost wages following an accident. This means that after you hit your insurance limits, you will likely be left with something to pay in the way of medical bills.

In Florida, the average PIP premium is $198 but this rate will fluctuate based on how many accidents you have had and your credit-based insurance score.

But don’t let that scare you away from using your PIP benefits. There are Florida statutes in place that protect drivers from insurance companies that might gouge them. One statute states that an accident should not cause unreasonable insurance rate hikes unless the driver was “distinctly at fault.”

What Happens If I Skip Medical Treatment?

It can be tempting to not report your car accident to keep your insurance policy premiums from going up. However, this is a bad idea, especially if you have injuries. Your insurance company might also offer first-accident forgiveness. 

From out-of-pocket medical expenses to chronic pain, ignoring car accident injuries could cost you more in the long run. A thorough and timely examination by a physician who is well versed in car accident injuries will not only help you heal faster but prevent pain from becoming chronic.

Untreated injuries can affect many aspects of your life including your day-to-day well-being and your ability to work and earn money.

Bottom line: Make sure to seek medical treatment within 14 days of your car accident, even if you don’t feel pain immediately following the accident.

Learn More> Injured By an Uninsured Driver? Here’s What You Should Do

Car Accident Injury Treatment

Our professional team is here for your following a car accident with primary medical care, PIP car accident consultations, chiropractic care, physical therapy, and more.

Don’t let insurance premium hikes get in the way of seeking treatment and using your PIP benefits. You pay for them monthly after all!

Don’t wait. If you were in an accident, come visit our car accident clinic at Impact Medical Sun City Center. Schedule an appointment at (813) 938-5195!

How to Tell if Hormone Replacement Therapy Is Right for You

Wondering if you could benefit from hormone replacement therapy? While hormone imbalances are a natural part of the aging process, they can have a negative impact on your everyday health. Hormone replacement therapy can reduce many of these unwanted symptoms, benefiting men and women alike. Read on for more information on this helpful treatment so you can determine whether it’s right for you.

What Is Hormone Replacement Therapy?

Hormone replacement therapy is a doctor-prescribed medication that replaces the body’s naturally produced hormones that are low. The medication comes in the form of a pill, cream, patch, or spray.

Before starting treatment, your doctor will perform a lab test of your blood or saliva. After reviewing the results, your doctor will create a customized treatment plan to bring any deficient hormones back into balance.

Signs You May Need Hormone Replacement Therapy

Hormone imbalances can cause several symptoms that interfere with your everyday life. If you’re experiencing any of the signs or symptoms described below, reach out to your doctor to determine whether hormone replacement therapy can be an effective solution:

Extreme Menopause Symptoms: Menopause is the most common symptom of hormone deficiencies due to age. Millions of women worldwide live with discomfort due to symptoms of menopause, like hot flashes, mood swings, and low metabolism due to changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. Hormone replacement therapy can restore these hormones to optimal levels, eliminating many of the symptoms of menopause.

Extreme Andropause Symptoms: Many people don’t know that hormone imbalances also affect men. As men age, they undergo a natural biological process called andropause which causes testosterone to decrease. The process can lead to negative symptoms like sexual dysfunction, mood swings, and low metabolism. Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) can eliminate these symptoms, raising testosterone levels and helping men feel healthier and more energetic.

Hair Loss: Noticing thinning hair? Hormone imbalances, particularly the hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) breaks down hair, leading to thinning and hair loss. An imbalance of stress hormones like cortisol can also cause the adrenal gland to work overtime, also contributing to hair loss. Hormone replacement therapy can restore these hormone levels and prevent hair loss.

Insomnia: If you’re experiencing disturbances in your sleep cycle, a hormone imbalance may be to blame. When hormones interrupt sleep, you may experience hot flashes and night sweats—common symptoms of menopause. Boosting estrogen levels can reduce these symptoms, allowing you to get a full night of sleep so that you can feel rested and refreshed again.

Low Libido: Hormone replacement therapy can help both men and women who experience low libido. For men, testosterone replacement therapy can effectively improve sex drive and overall health. For women, getting estrogen and testosterone levels in balance can boost sexual interest and drive for long-term results.

Interested in learning whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you? Take the first step toward a healthier life by reaching out to the doctors at Impact Medical Wesley Chapel. If you can benefit from hormone replacement therapy, we’ll create a customized treatment plan to address your unique needs. Call us today at (813) 953-1002 to schedule your consultation.

What to Expect During a Hormone Replacement Appointment

Whether you’re suffering from hot flashes, mood swings, low libido, or any other negative symptoms associated with a hormone imbalance, hormone replacement therapy can help. But what does the process look like? While treatment looks different from person to person, here’s what you can expect during a hormone replacement appointment, as well as the steps you’ll take on your journey to better health.

Initial Consultation

During your first visit for hormone replacement therapy, your specialist will review your current symptoms and take an in-depth look at your full health history, including all symptoms you’re experiencing now and in the past. We’ll also learn more about your family medical history, diet, and lifestyle, as they all play a role in hormone imbalances and the therapy that works best to treat them.

Your doctor will often make recommendations as to the best course of action for treatment. In some cases, you may need to get more exercise or eat less red meat. Some simple changes can have a big impact on your hormone levels, helping you feel better and reducing symptoms of hormone imbalance in your daily life.

Treatment Plans

After reviewing the basics with you, we’ll perform lab tests to analyze your hormone levels. Using this information, our doctors develop a customized treatment plan that addresses your specific needs. We’ll prescribe an appropriate dosage of biological hormones, regulating and balancing any deficient hormones to reduce your current symptoms.

There are several different types of treatment that can alleviate your symptoms, including pills, patches, suppositories, topical creams, gels, and more. We’ll work closely with you to decide which method is right for you.

During Treatment

We’re with you every step of the way through your treatment journey. Our team monitors your hormone levels on every visit with periodic lab tests, making adjustments when needed to ensure your hormone levels stay in balance.

There’s typically little downtime associated with hormone replacement therapy, regardless of what treatment method is right for your situation. We’ll provide you with all the details you need regarding aftercare requirements, so you can start feeling better as quickly as possible.

Most patients see an improvement in their symptoms within one week of starting treatment. While results vary, you can rest assured that once you begin and stick to your treatment plan, you’ll notice positive changes in your physical, mental, and emotional health. Hormone replacement therapy treatments deliver results, and patients notice a big difference in almost every aspect of life.

Start Your Journey to a Healthier Life Today

When you seek treatment for a hormone imbalance, you’ll experience vibrancy and vitality, and you’ll no longer live a life defined by your symptoms. Wondering whether hormone replacement therapy is right for you? The doctors at Impact Medical St. Petersburg are here to help! Schedule your consultation today by calling us at (727) 722-8103 and start your journey toward a healthier, happier life.