How to Protect Your Child Before/After a Car Accident

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is clear about its
guidelines for protecting children in a car accident: until a child reaches the
age of one or a weight of 20 pounds, that child should be secured in a
rear-facing car seat. Until recently, the recommendation shifted at this point
to a front-facing seat, but recent research suggests that children may be better
served if they remain rear-facing until they are 2 years old, not one. From
there, the guidelines get a bit more complex.

Safety While Growing

First, you want to keep your child in a forward-facing car
seat starting in the third year of life, and switch to a booster seat when
the child is around 65 pounds or 50 inches tall. You will know when he outgrows
the booster seat because he will be roughly 8-years-old or 57 inches tall, and a
conventional seat belt will fit properly — across the chest, not the neck.
Children under 12 should always be in the back seat no matter what the
circumstances, and it is essential to properly secure all seat belts for every
trip, especially if your car is equipped with side curtain airbags.

Seat Belts: What Goes Wrong

Many of the most dangerous car accidents involving children turn deadly
because of poor seat belt design, compliance or installation. Car accidents are
the leading cause of death for children between the ages of 2 and 14 in the
country. Experts estimate that up to 80% of child car seats may not be installed
properly, and countless other injuries and fatalities occur each year because of
parents who recklessly place their children on their lap or fail to secure a
seat belt. The best way to ensure you are driving safely with children is to
have your safety seats and all belts checked by the local police or fire
station.

Let Us Help You Recover From Your Injuries

If any children in your life have been injured in a car
accident as a result of poor safety precautions, it is essential to speak
with to a Chiropractor as soon as possible. Injuries in Children can become a

permanant issue if not treated and can lead to early onset of arthritis, spinal degeneration,

and Disc Herniations. Not only are these painful, but they can also hinder your child

in future activities. The good news is that most of the time the injuries, if treated immediately,

can be completely corrected without future problems. Getting a complete Chiropractic examination with X-Rays is the best way to ensure your child has the best chance at a

complete recovery from their injuries.

Go to Dr Garrett Bode's website http://www.bodespinalcenter.com/ or see our
latest press release (Click Here). [Chiropractor oldsmar], Chiropractic Tampa,
33635, Chiropractors Tampa, Bode Chiropractic Accident & Wellness Center,
Oldsmar, 33635, Neck Pain, Low Back Pain, Automobile Accidents, Headaches. Link
Link http://fl.local.yahoo.biz/chiropractortampa/

The Auto Accident Guide

Fixing Disc Injuries ...Without Surgery!!

Whiplash and Slow Onset ...Don't be Fooled!!

Whiplash is a more common injury than most people realise. Millions people get whiplash with varying forms of severity every year. It's a known fact that the majority of people don't claim the compensation they may be entitled to, but that is another article altogether!

So how long does it take for whiplash symptoms to appear? Sometimes, the symptoms occur straight away, but they can start a few hours, days or even weeks after the accident and then suddenly begin to intensify. This is common in whiplash injuries, whether it has been caused by a car accident or any other type. This slow onset of symptoms leads some to believe they have no injuries following a car accident. Don't Be Fooled!!!

The symptoms of whiplash also vary, as well as the amount of pain a person experiences. However, no matter how little pain or discomfort you are in you should always take the condition seriously. Some symptoms include headaches, fatigue, burning sensation around the neck area and most commonly a pain in the shoulders or neck. The pain can also appear in the jaw, back and arms so you should be aware that just because you have no neck pain does not mean you aren't suffering from whiplash. Some of these hidden injuries can cause a lifetime of pain, so getting checked by your Chiropractor as soon as possible is a must!

The length of time whiplash symptoms stay around for also varies depending on the seriousness of the accident or injury. You should always visit the Chiropractor if you suspect you have whiplash. He will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment. Try to apply ice to the neck area immediately after the accident to reduce any swelling and Call Your Chiropractor Immediately!!

Ignoring Headachs after a Car Accident... A Big Mistake!!

A case report published in 2007 from the Canadian Chiropractic Association shows us that if you have a car accident, and you have a headache that does not go away, You could have complications requiring more invasive emergency treatment

This case study tells a story of a patient who came to a chiropractic physician’s office to treat her spinal trauma from a car accident. She had the usual symptoms that people have when they have a car accident. She had neck pain, back pain and headaches.

She responded well to chiropractic care, as most patients that have whiplash trauma do. However about a month after ending treatment, she started experiencing the headaches again, and they grew stronger. She started developing numbness and tingling on one side of her body. She also had other neurological signs (pointing to a supratentorial lesion of the brain.)

She was reluctant at first to go for more diagnostic tests, but her chiropractic physician insisted that she receive advanced imaging from the local hospital. At the hospital, they did a CT scan of her head, and they found a subdural hematoma. Because of this, she immediately had surgical decompression of the brain by draining the blood from the hematoma. This decompression gave her immediate relief. Because her chiropractor was her primary treating physician for this care, she returned to him for follow-up neurological tests. She was all clear.

This story teaches you important lessons. If you are in a car accident, or other similar type of injury, you need to properly trained physician to take stewardship over your case, and see it through properly. Chiropractic physicians are trained in orthopedic and neurological testing and diagnosis. Chiropractors are trained to efficiently handle spinal trauma from car accident cases, and many of us take advanced courses specific to spinal trauma and motor vehicle accident cases.

In this case, a patient was properly cared for and referred by a trained chiropractic physician. There was no guesswork involved. This story illustrates the neurological diagnosis that chiropractors are trained to perform.

37% of people with a whiplash injury have tension headaches after the injury. 27% have migraine headaches. 18% have cervicogenic headaches. 18% have non-specific headache pain. (European Spine Journal)

Subdural hematomas are very rare, and the symptoms can be very subtle. The symptoms can make it look like a person is having a stroke, but instead of coming on suddenly like a stroke can do, a subdural hematoma comes about very gradually.

No, there’s no chiropractic treatment for a subdural hematoma. However, chiropractic physicians at the hub of a person’s injury or health can direct care that needs to be done by the appropriate specialist. Many times, chiropractors organize and command care for patients that get put into reports for reviewing doctors or attorneys to look at for a broad overview of the case.

If you have suffered from an injury from a car accident or from spinal trauma from other causes. I encourage you to seek chiropractic care from a chiropractor who specialized in these kinds of injuries.

Article by: Todd Lloyd DC

Common Mistakes to Avoid After a Car Accident

Did you know that one of the most stressful aspects of living in modern life is dealing with the problems that arise after an auto accident? Were you also aware that some auto accident
injuries are hidden and are seldom detected for months or even years? As a
result, two things can occur when an injury is not taken care of properly, or
the accident victims settle their case with the insurance companies before
getting evaluated from a Doctor trained in soft tissue injuries.

...This Could Be a Big Mistake

Why?

Because once you settle your case, you lose the right to have your insurance
company pay for treatment if you need it. A good rule of thumb is to be informed
of your rights and then make a decision. It is our position that if you were
indeed injured, you should get the care you need to get you back to the way you
felt and functioned just before the accident. It is not the responsibility of the
insurance company to pay for anything more than that. They are not responsibile
for pre-existing injuries; only the injuries sustained from the accident. Even
if you are just sore, you should get checked out immediately because you may
experience pain, numbness, headaches, muscle stiffness, fatigue, and other
problems including arthritis many months down the road. Remember, nothing is
more important than your health, especially when you start to lose it.

Here's where the problem begins...

Most people who suffer from an auto accident have one
thing on their mind: their automobile! Common questions include:

"Who is going to fix my car?"

"What will I drive in the mean time?"

"Will my insurance rates go up?"

"Who is going to pay for it?"

And the last thing on their mind is: "Am I Really O.K.?"

Not only are auto accidents an inconvenience and a hassle, a common redundant complaint of auto accident victims is that they don't feel like their normal selves. You may also
be experiencing obvious pains and symptoms like muscle stiffness or spasm, neck
pain, headaches, numbness and tingling, back pain, difficulty sleeping,
irritability, memory loss, fatigue, difficulty concentrating and many other
difficulties. Or worse than that, you may be injured and feel nothing at all.

Either way, did you know that auto accidents can cause post-traumatic osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can ruin your posture (giving you a slumped or hump back
appearance). Osteoarthritis can cause the discs in your spine to degenerate and
create scar tissue formation leading to chronic stiffness and the inability to
move properly. As a matter of fact... Most Doctors Are NotTrained In The Detection Of These Hidden Injuries...

If you have been in an auto accident, you need a doctor who is trained in the biomechanics of the human body; someone who treats these injuries every day. In addition,x-rays can be taken to find out if there has been any structural damage. In our office, we evaluate auto
accident victims and make any appropriate referrals to other health care
providers if needed. Our primary responsibility is giving you the care if you need It, and submitting the required medical reports to the insurance company so your rights are
protected.If we can't help you, we will refer you to a doctor or facility that can.

If you have been in an auto accident
recently, there are some important decisions you have to make, and if I were
you, I'd make these decisions very carefully.

Q: Should I See an Attorney before I see a Chiropractor

A: It is important to get checked out by the doctor first. That way the findings from your exam will allow you theinformation you need in order to decide if an attorney is necessary. If
necessary, we can refer you to a reputable and qualified attorney.

Q: What if My Car Ony Sustained Minor Damage?
Sustained Only Minor Damage? A: Documented studies done by Charles
Carroll, M.D., Paul McAtee, M.D. and Lee Riley, M.D. revealed that: "The amount
of damage to the automobile bears little relation to the force applied to the
cervical spine (neck) of the occupants."In other words, the damage to the passengers
is not necessarily directly related to the damage to the vehicle.

Q: If I Need Treatment for This Injury, Do I Have to Pay for it Myself?

A: No, only in very rare circumstances does the patient pay for his care as he goes. Our office provides care "on credit" when patients are represented by an attorney. Some car
insurance policies have what is called "Med Pay." This means that medical bills
will be paid at 100% up to a certain limit. My office can assist you in
obtaining this information. Using your medical coverage should not raise
your premiums.

Q: The Insurance Company Has Been Calling Me and Wants To Settle, What Should I Do?
A: Do not sign or settle until you have had us evaluate your injury for you. If you settle before
your injury is fully resolved, you will be completely on your own and will have
to pay out of pocket for your care.

Q: I've Been to the Hospital and My Medical Doctor, Do I Really Need to See a Chiropractor?

A: You need a doctor who focuses in the treatment and diagnosis of auto accident injuries. Usually hospitals will check vital signs, make sure there are no life-threatening
conditions and release the patient with pain relief medication. They normally do
not treat the underlying improper musculoskeletal biomechanics that can and
often do lead to future pain. If you are still having problems, you should get a
second opinion. If your M.D. has given you pills, you must
understand that pills do not correct structural or soft tissue damage. There are
special therapies designed for that, and we offer these modalities at our
office.

Q: Does Your Care Hurt?

A: Absolutely not. The care is very gentle and quite soothing. Most patients can hardly wait
to get their care.

Q: Is The Care Safe?
A: Yes, extremely. Particularly when compared to the side effects
from medication. I urge you to go to the patient testimonial tab to get a feel
for what you can expect.