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Tag: chiropractor

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By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN), Chiropractic Care, Work Injury , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Chiropractic Care After a Car Crash and Support Options

What are the benefits of having both a chiropractor and a nurse practitioner help with spine health after a car accident?

Benefits of a Nurse Practitioner and a Chiropractic Specialist in Motor Vehicle Collision

Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a leading source of spinal injuries such as whiplash, ruptured discs, and soft tissue injury, all of which can cause severe pain and limit movement. These injuries typically demand a multimodal therapeutic strategy for short-term and long-term recovery. As advanced practice registered nurses, nurse practitioners provide medical examinations, write prescriptions, and manage overall health, whereas chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal care, such as spine adjustments and manual therapies. The partnership of these clinicians strives to create a complete, patient-centered plan for post-MVC spine health. (Kent, R., et al., 2023)

A chiropractic and nurse practitioner team can provide comprehensive spinal health treatment to individuals recovering from car accident injuries. This treatment will concentrate on improving mobility and managing pain.

  1. A chiropractic and nurse practitioner team can offer a comprehensive approach to spinal health after a car accident by addressing pain, improving mobility, and facilitating faster recovery.
  2. Chiropractors focus on spinal alignment and joint mobility.
  3. Nurse practitioners provide broader medical oversight and patient education.
  4. The team approach can lead to more effective and personalized care for individuals recovering from car accident injuries. (Riva, J. J., et al., 2010)

Key advantages of this collaborative strategy include:

A chiropractor and nurse practitioner (NP) therapy team can offer comprehensive care for spine health following a motor vehicle collision (MVC) by combining their expertise to address immediate and long-term requirements.

Comprehensive and Interdisciplinary Care

  • Working together, chiropractors and NPs can help with structural and systemic issues, leading to better results, especially for MVC-related spine injuries, notably chronic neck pain and headaches. (Riva, J. J., et al., 2010)

Customized Therapeutic Strategies

  • Chiropractors and nurse practitioners develop individualized treatment regimens for patients that focus on their specific injuries and general health, including any pre-existing diseases and prescription requirements. This method improves results by adjusting treatment to the patient’s particular situation.

Managing pain without relying too much on drugs

  • Chiropractic care uses non-invasive methods to ease pain, which may lead to less use of opioids. NPs can prescribe short-term pain relief and monitor side effects, ensuring safe use and reducing dependency risks. This mix of natural pain treatment and medical supervision lowers the risk of reliance and side effects. (Prater, C., Tepe, M., & Battaglia, P. 2020)

Faster healing and rehabilitation

  • As demonstrated in the treatment of motor vehicle accidents, chiropractic adjustments can help joints work better and ease muscular spasms. NPs can send patients to physical therapy and monitor their progress. This coordinated treatment speeds up healing and lowers the chance of long-term back discomfort. This coordinated care speeds healing and reduces the risk of long-term problems like chronic back pain.

Insurance and Legal Assistance

  • After an MVC, chiropractors and doctors must carefully record injuries and treatments for insurance claims or legal actions to ensure that patients receive fair reimbursement and coverage for their care.

Rationale for Efficacy Post-MVC

A team of nurse practitioners and chiropractors provides a patient-centered approach to spine health following motor vehicle collisions (MVCs). This team integrates NP’s medical management with chiropractic expertise to improve patient outcomes, reduce chronic risks, and enhance recovery. This method is especially beneficial for spine injuries that are complex and related to motor vehicle accidents (MVCs), as it guarantees both immediate relief and long-term health.

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

Dr. Jimenez, a nurse practitioner, integrates chiropractic care with medical expertise to address various conditions. The clinic provides customized care programs integrating functional medicine, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and sports medicine. The clinic addresses chronic pain syndromes and injuries by prioritizing agility, flexibility, and strength. Comprehensive care plans and in-person and virtual health coaching guarantee individual wellness outcomes and treatment plans for patients of all ages and abilities.

Personal Injury Rehabilitation

References

Kent, R., Cormier, J., McMurry, T. L., Johan Ivarsson, B., Funk, J., Hartka, T., & Sochor, M. (2023). Spinal injury rates and specific causation in motor vehicle collisions. Accident; analysis and prevention, 186, 107047. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aap.2023.107047

Riva, J. J., Muller, G. D., Hornich, A. A., Mior, S. A., Gupta, A., & Burnie, S. J. (2010). Chiropractors and collaborative care: An overview illustrated with a case report. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 54(3), 147–154.

Prater, C., Tepe, M., & Battaglia, P. (2020). Integrating a Multidisciplinary Pain Team and Chiropractic Care in a Community Health Center: An Observational Study of Managing Chronic Spinal Pain. Journal of primary care & community health, 11, 2150132720953680. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150132720953680

By Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP 0 Comments Sporting, Therapy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Exploring the Different Types of Knee Braces and Their Uses

Can a knee brace relieve discomfort, provide support, and expedite recovery for individuals recovering from an injury or surgery?

Knee Brace

A knee brace is a medical device that supports and stabilizes the knee joint to help with pain and recovery after an injury or surgery. Many knee braces are made of various materials and offer a range of support levels. A healthcare provider or physical therapist can recommend the appropriate one for your condition and suggest the best one. Ask a healthcare provider if you’re unsure, as wearing a knee brace correctly and for the recommended time is important for healing. They are generally safe. However, individuals with health conditions such as poor circulation should be cautious when using them and consult their healthcare provider.

What They Do

The knee joint comprises bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. A knee brace stabilizes these structures, preventing them from moving too much or too fast. Some braces redistribute the knee joint’s weight, decreasing the force the knee absorbs. (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2020)

Conditions

A knee brace is used after surgery to aid in healing and following an injury. This can be:

  • Sprain
  • Ligament injury
  • Patellar/kneecap dislocation

They are also used to support the knee and relieve pain from some chronic conditions including: (Sprouse R. A., McLaughlin A. M., & Harris G. D. 2018)

  • Tendonitis
  • Patellar tendinopathy
  • Chondromalacia patellae
  • Patellofemoral stress syndrome
  • Medial knee osteoarthritis

Types

Knee braces differ in function and support level. Some stabilize the knee, while others completely immobilize the joint. A healthcare provider and/or physical therapist will explain what support is needed and how to use it. They can also check the brace’s fit and determine if adjustments or a different size are required.

Most Commonly Used

Prophylactic Brace

Unloader

  • This brace helps rebalance the weight and shift the pressure on the knee joint to other parts of the leg, reducing pain. (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2020)
  • A knee unloader is typically used to control discomfort due to inflammatory conditions like tendonitis and osteoarthritis.

Functional

  • This brace limits motion in the joint after an injury or prevents dislocation.

Bledsoe Brace

  • This brace has straps to wrap around the thigh and shin and support brackets on the inside and outside of the knee joint.
  • A small mechanism locks the knee into full extension or allows the knee to bend a specific amount.

Knee Immobilizer

  • A knee immobilizer keeps the knee in one position.
  • It is a long cloth brace that runs the length of the shin and thigh.

Knee Brace vs Knee Support

A knee support or sleeve is usually a tight-fitting fabric garment. It provides compression to help reduce swelling and discomfort. A knee brace offers more support and can also be set to limit mobility.

Wearing The Brace

Individuals may need to wear a knee brace all day or only when performing specific tasks and operations. It depends on the individual and the condition the brace is being used for. Some may only need to wear a knee brace during certain activities or a flare-up of pain. (Mayo Clinic, 2022) Wearing a brace for unnecessarily long periods can cause skin abrasion, joint stiffness, and muscle atrophy. (American Academy of Family Physicians, 2020) Conversely, neglecting to wear it can cause more susceptibility to injury or extend and or impair healing time. Ask a healthcare provider when you should and should not wear the brace. This could be when:

  • Sitting
  • Walking
  • Driving
  • Sleeping
  • Stretching

Contraindications

Some medical conditions can make an individual susceptible to injury and adverse effects from wearing a knee brace. These include: (Holden, M. A. et al., 2021)

  • Poor circulation
  • Superficial wounds on the knee
  • Psoriasis
  • Eczema
  • Arterial insufficiency
  • Severe varicose veins
  • A history of thrombophlebitis

Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic

If you have one of these conditions, a healthcare provider will decide if a knee brace is safe. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to build optimal health and wellness solutions. We focus on what works for you to relieve pain, restore function, prevent injury, and help mitigate issues through adjustments that help the body realign itself. They can also work with other medical professionals to integrate a treatment plan to resolve musculoskeletal problems.

Best Knee Injury Chiropractor

References

American Academy of Family Physicians. (2020). Knee Bracing: What Works? https://familydoctor.org/knee-bracing-what-works/

Sprouse, R. A., McLaughlin, A. M., & Harris, G. D. (2018). Braces and Splints for Common Musculoskeletal Conditions. American family physician, 98(10), 570–576.

American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Knee pain: how to choose the right knee brace for your child. https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/injuries-emergencies/sports-injuries/Pages/Knee-Pain-and-braces.aspx

Mayo Clinic. (2022). To brace or not to brace: What’s the best answer? https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/to-brace-or-not-to-brace#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20early%20onset%2C%20mild%20arthritis,below%20the%20knee%20for%20compression%20and%20comfort.

Holden, M. A., Callaghan, M., Felson, D., Birrell, F., Nicholls, E., Jowett, S., Kigozi, J., McBeth, J., Borrelli, B., Jinks, C., Foster, N. E., Dziedzic, K., Mallen, C., Ingram, C., Sutton, A., Lawton, S., Halliday, N., Hartshorne, L., Williams, H., Browell, R., … Peat, G. (2021). Clinical and cost-effectiveness of bracing in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis management: protocol for a multicentre, primary care, randomised, parallel-group, superiority trial. BMJ open, 11(3), e048196. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-048196