Can a Personal Injury Chiropractor Help Me After a Slip and Fall?
Slip and fall accidents can cause serious injuries, including back and neck pain, spinal cord damage, and even paralysis. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering if a chiropractor can help.
A chiropractor is a trained medical professional who specializes in treating conditions that relate to the musculoskeletal system. That includes the bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues. These specialists use different techniques to treat patients, including spinal manipulation, massage, and physical therapy.
Common Causes Of Slip And Fall
Slip and fall injuries can be caused by your own negligence, or it can be the fault of another person or company. Some common causes of slips and falls include:
- Wet or icy surfaces
- Uneven or cracked sidewalks
- Loose carpeting or floor mats
- Tripping over obstacles in walkways
- Poorly lit stairwells or hallways
- Unsafe construction and working space without citing proper precaution
- Slippery surfaces in public places, pools and spas
If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall, it’s essential to seek medical attention right away. Even if you don’t think you’ve been seriously injured, some injuries, such as concussions, may not be immediately apparent. A chiropractor can help you diagnose and treat your injuries and help you on the road to recovery.
Types Of Slip And Fall Injuries
You can injure any body part when you slip and fall. Here are some of the most common types of injuries:
Sprains and strains. These are injuries to the ligaments and muscles, respectively. Unlike cuts, sprains and strains may not bleed or show any physical sign. However, they can be very painful and may limit your range of motion.
Fractured bones. A bone can be fractured in many ways, including a clean break, a hairline crack, or a crushing injury. You may also have dislocated joints when the ends of two bones that meet at a joint are forced out of alignment.
Back and neck injuries. They can be caused by falling awkwardly or landing on a hard surface. You may also injure your back or neck if you try to break your fall with your hands.
Head injuries. If you hit your head when you fall, you could suffer a concussion or even a traumatic brain injury. These injuries take time to heal and can have long-term effects.
Spinal cord injuries. These can be very serious and may even result in paralysis. Spinal cord injuries often occur when you fall from a height or land on your head, back or neck.
Cut and abrasions: You may also suffer cuts and bruises to your legs and arms if you fall. While many people think of cuts and abrasions as surface-level injuries, they can still be painful and could cover more severe conditions such as broken bones or concussions.
Don’t assume you’re okay just because you do not feel any pain; it is always best to seek professional help as soon as possible after a slip and fall accident. A slip and fall injury can lurk for weeks and even months, but the damage worsens progressively. A chiropractor can provide a comprehensive evaluation and create a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Common Myths Surrounding Slip And Fall Injuries
Myth 1: I feel fine and have mild to no pain, so I’m okay
The fact is that many people who have been in a slip and fall accident will not feel any pain or discomfort for hours or even days after the accident. It is not uncommon for the full extent of an injury to take time to manifest. If you’ve been in a slip and fall accident, seeking medical attention is essential even if you feel fine.
Myth 2: Only older people can suffer from severe injuries in a slip and fall
Falls are the leading cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in people aged 65 and older, but they are also a leading cause of TBI in children aged four and younger. In fact, slip and fall accidents are the second leading cause of TBI in all age groups.
Chiropractic Care For Slip And Fall Injuries
Many people think of chiropractors as back pain specialists, but these specialists can help people who have suffered from various injuries, including slip and fall injuries. When you visit us at Doral Medical Center, our team of chiropractors will conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the extent of your injuries. We have years of experience treating slip and fall injuries, and we will create a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
Call us today at (786) 464-1397 to schedule an appointment.
