Neck Pain
Acute neck pain, in cases of trauma like car accidents or sports injuries, is usually caused by a whiplash injury to the cervical region of the spine. Whiplash or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) is the result of impulsive stretching of the spine due to a sudden, propulsive force directed to the patient’s back: this force causes the head and neck to snap backwards and then forwards. Symptoms of a whiplash-associated disorder include neck pain that may extend to the upper or lower back, pins and needles and/or numbness to the arms and fingers. Whiplash-associated disorders are graded from mild subjective pain and stiffness, to fracture, dislocation and injuries to the spinal cord.
Numbness and Tingling
Each spinal nerve contains a sensory nerve component. Its branches are distributed in a specific area, which may overlap with other spinal nerve branches to ensure full coverage over the entire surface of the body. The sense of touch is part of our sensory nervous system. Information received by the peripheral nerve endings on the skin is transmitted to the brain by the sensory nerves, allowing us to perceive, analyze and to react to different stimuli.
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Both "numbness" and "tingling" are abnormal tactile sensations (paresthesia). "Numbness" refers to the complete loss of touch sensation or decreased acuity of the skin, while "tingling" refers to the sensation of pins and needles as if thousands of ants are crawling on the skin without any actual external stimuli. Both are caused by interference of the sensory nerves supplying the skin. Numbness and tingling occur when there is a disruption in the transmission of the electronic signals between the skin and the brain, just like statics appearing on a screen when the TV signal is being disrupted.
Shoulder Pain
Acute neck pain, in cases of trauma like car accidents or sports injuries, is usually caused by a whiplash injury to the cervical region of the spine. Whiplash or whiplash-associated disorders (WAD) is the result of impulsive stretching of the spine due to a sudden, propulsive force directed to the patient’s back: this force causes the head and neck to snap backwards and then forwards. Symptoms of a whiplash-associated disorder include neck pain that may extend to the upper or lower back, pins and needles and/or numbness to the arms and fingers. Whiplash-associated disorders are graded from mild subjective pain and stiffness, to fracture, dislocation and injuries to the spinal cord.
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Sometimes, there is no apparent cause of acute neck pain. For example, patients commonly complain of waking up with a stiff neck, a condition called Torticollis (wry neck). Torticollis is caused by muscle spasms in the neck that cause pain and severely limit the ranges of motion.
Lower Back Pain
The majority of low back pain is mechanical in nature. Acute low back pain are initiated by an acute injury or trauma which cause immediate damage to tissues in the low back area. Accidents such as a fall, sports injury, or performing certain movements in the wrong way may precipitate an acute low back pain. Chronic low back pain is usually associated with a gradual increase in or recurrent symptoms over a period of months or years. Sometimes it may be related to an acute onset with a prolonged recovery. Repeated minor injuries resulting from poor postures or faulty techniques in sports may also cause chronic low back pain.
Coccyx Pain/Tailbone Pain
Like in the upper spine, the coccygeal segments are connected by joints. Hence, problems such as sprains, subluxation, and even bone fractures may also occur in this region. The incidence of coccyx or tailbone pain is five times higher in women than in men. The following are common causes of coccygeal pain:
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Accidental trauma such as sitting backwards and falling on the ground
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Being hit or compressed by a hard object
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Sedentary or poor posture
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Obesity
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In late pregnancy, the soft tissues near the tailbone may be excessively strained as the fetus grows bigger
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Strains from excessive pressure during vaginal delivery
Knee Pain
The knee provide a stable support for the upper body. Knee complaints are often related to foot and ankle dysfunctions because they all play a crucial role in moving the lower limbs. Likewise, dysfunctions in the low back or sacroiliac joints may refer pain to the knee.
Common injuries to the knees, which often occur while playing sports, include dislocations, fractures, and tears of the meniscus and ligaments (anterior cruciate and collateral ligament)
Elbow Pain
Tennis and golfer’s elbow are both caused by excessive strain on the soft tissue surrounding the elbow joint, which leads to inflammation. While both conditions are commonly associated with the respective sports, anyone who exerts repetitive workload on their elbow joint (such as typing, using the mouse) is susceptible to these conditions. Ergonomic set up of workspace is important in preventing repetitive strain injury of the elbow.
Foot and Ankle Pain
Dysfunctions of the foot and ankle often have widespread impacts because these complex structures provide support, shock absorption and balance for the entire body. On the other hand, dysfunctions in the low back and knee may cause pain in the lower leg and foot. For these reasons, it is very important to reach a proper diagnosis in order to treat the underlying conditions.
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Common conditions seen by chiropractors include acute/chronic ankle sprains, plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendonitis.
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In most instances, foot and ankle pain is caused by a lack of proper support or inappropriate footwear, with 80% of patients having pronated feet (flat feet) and 10% having high arches. Both of these conditions may cause plantar fasciitis (inflammation of the plantar fascia), which in turn causes pain on the bottom of feet/heels and increases the incidence of ankle sprains.
Stroke Rehabilitation
There are two main causes of stroke, a blocked artery (ischemic stroke) or leaking or bursting of a blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Some people may have only a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain, known as a transient ischemic attack (TIA), that doesn't cause lasting symptoms.
1. Ischemic stroke
This is the most common type of stroke. It happens when the brain's blood vessels become narrowed or blocked, causing severely reduced blood flow (ischemia). Blocked or narrowed blood vessels are caused by fatty deposits that build up in blood vessels or by blood clots or other debris that travel through the bloodstream, most often from the heart, and lodge in the blood vessels in the brain. Some initial research shows that COVID-19 infection may increase the risk of ischemic stroke.
2. Hemorrhagic stroke
Hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain leaks or ruptures. Brain hemorrhages can result from many conditions that affect the blood vessels.
Wrist Pain
Wrist pain can be caused by a fracture, an acute sprain, a chronic repetitive strain injury or ganglion cysts.
Chronic repetitive strain injuries, such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, can be caused by activities such as typing, or using a screw driver. Hence, proper ergonomics is important. Is your desk posture causing wrist pain?
Headache
​Headaches can be caused by the changes in your blood vessels and nerves and some chemical reactions which affect your brain which is surrounded by your skull and the muscles of your head and neck. For some people it may also carry genes that make them more likely to develop such headaches.
Post Accident Rehabilitation
​A car accident is a traumatic event both physically and mentally. If you've experienced even a minor injury, pain, and discomfort caused by it, that can make getting back to regular life challenging. Many people try to "shake it off" and get back to their usual tasks without taking proper care or focusing on the recovery period. However, most of the time, for car accident recovery, what you need is a time. It's also important to remember that after the accident, you should always consult with your doctor. Even if you think that your injuries are minor, a professional will give you a proper exam and help you with recovery plans and execution. In addition to that, there are multiple other ways to speed up the recovery and healing time, which include proper nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy.