Accidents and Injuries

Common Types of vehicle/automobile crashes and accidents. Most accidents and crashes are caused by driving errors, recklessness, distraction, or disregard of traffic laws. Some accidents are caused by safety system failure or defective parts on the vehicle. Individuals can suffer severe and/or permanent injuries, even death. 

Types of Accident/Crashes 

Single Vehicle Accident

This type of road, highway traffic accident where only one vehicle is involved. Most of these types of crashes are:

• Run-off-road collisions
• Collisions with fallen debris
• Rollovers
• Collisions with animals

Side Impact/T-bone Collision 

These accidents, also known as broadside or T-bone collisions, impact the side of one or more vehicles. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, these crashes and accidents often happen at:

• Busy intersections
• Parking lots
• When a vehicle runs a red light, and a driver that has the green light gets slammed.
• These types of collisions account for a quarter of passenger vehicle occupant deaths.
• Injuries from a side-impact collision can be severe but vary depending on where the vehicle was struck.

Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions account for around a fourth of all collisions. These accidents and crashes happen because of:

• Driver inattention
• Distraction - Driver distraction has become a common factor in many rear-end crashes.
• Tailgating - When a driver tailgates, they reduce the reaction time to come to a safe stop.
• Panic stops
• Reduced wheel traction because of damaged roads/highways or dangerous road conditions caused by weather.

Head-on Collision

Head-on collisions are often fatal road and highway accidents and crashes. This can be caused by drivers not seeing or paying attention to:

• Wrong-way signs
• New construction
• Construction detour directions
• Street conditions
• Staying in the proper lane
• Impaired driving and going the wrong way have become common factors in head-on collisions.

Vehicle Rollover

These types of accidents and crashes can be complex and violent. Rollovers happen from:

• Drivers speeding, making sharp turns, cutting across lanes to exit
• Road conditions
• Construction
• Vehicle dysfunctions like an accelerator that gets stuck, loss of brakes,
• Weather and environmental factors
• Impaired driving
• According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or NHTSA, research shows that around 85% of rollover-related fatalities result from a single-vehicle accident or crash.

When involved in a car crash or accident, the force of the collision can shift the spine and body's joints out of alignment causing all types of injuries. Adjustments and realignment can help alleviate the pain and help heal the injury/s. Chiropractic treatment following a crash or accident is an important step that can benefit the body's health.

Body Composition

Benefits of Dairy Intake

Packed Nutrient Profile

Dairy foods have an impressive nutrition label, and dairy is considered a healthy source of many essential nutrients.

• A cup of cow's milk provides close to 8 grams of protein. This exceeds the protein content of most non-dairy milk alternatives.
• There are also essential micronutrients.
• Increasing dairy consumption can significantly improve under-consumed nutrients like:
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D

Bone Health

A glass of milk has seven of the eight nutrients considered essential for bone maintenance. This includes:

• Protein
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Zinc
• Vitamin K
• Studies have found that milk and dairy intake increases bone formation and bone mineral content during childhood and adolescence.
• This means that the bones are stronger and are at less risk of fractures.

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

Christ, Daniel. "Simulating the relative influence of tire, vehicle and driver factors on forward collision accident rates." Journal of safety research vol. 73 (2020): 253-262. doi:10.1016/j.jsr.2020.03.009

Texas DOT: 2017 Crash Statistics

Texas DOT: Total and DUI Fatal and Injury Crashes Comparison

Thorning, Tanja Kongerslev et al. "Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence." Food & nutrition research vol. 60 32527. 22 Nov. 2016, doi:10.3402/fnr.v60.32527

As individuals advance in age, the risk of falling starts to become a regular concern. An average of one in four adults over 65 suffers from a fall every year. Around twenty percent of falling accidents result in serious injury. However, experiencing one fall increases the risk of future falls significantly. The most common injuries sustained include:

• Hip fracture
• Head injury

These injuries usually necessitate hospitalization. Therefore minimizing the risks is important for increasing/enhancing an individual's quality of life and help minimize the financial burdens that can come with these types of accidents.

Risk Factors for Falling

Various factors can determine an increased risk of falling. If there are two or more at the same time, the risk goes up significantly. These factors include:

• Poor or improper walking gait mechanics
• Poor balance
• Vision impairment
• Low endurance
• Weakened muscle strength
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Blood pressure issues like hypotension
• Dizziness from certain movements like lying down to sitting/standing
• Medication side effects that cause brain fog, dizziness, sleepiness, etc
• Poor health/underlying conditions
• Anxiety and/or fear of falling

Reducing The Risk/s

There are simple ways to reduce risk while optimizing the body's health and vitality. These include:

• Discussing health concerns with a doctor and/or chiropractor
• Review medications with doctor or pharmacist, specifically those that cause sleepiness or dizziness
• Exercise regimen
• Balance exercises
• Core strengthening exercises
• A physical therapist or chiropractor can assess the home for safety and possible tripping hazards
• Regular vision check-ups at least every two years

Spinal Health

Restoring balance to the body will make the biggest difference in increasing overall health. However, pain, stiffness, and poor health can make getting started a difficult challenge. With the right chiropractic and physical therapy team, getting started does not have to be as challenging, with the transition being made as easily and as smooth as possible.

An essential building block for overall optimal health begins with spinal alignment. When the spine is misaligned it can lead to poor nerve circulation/energy. This slows down and interferes with the body's functions. This is often manifested with poor balance, weakness, and pain. Chiropractic spinal alignment addresses whole-body health. A chiropractic practitioner is specialized in non-invasively and systematically restoring not only the alignment of the spine but the entire body.

Chiropractic Health

Find a chiropractor and talk to them about any health concerns, including falls. A customized chiropractic adjustment treatment plan will be developed along with a fitness and stretching regimen, and dietary adjustments will significantly optimize health and help prevent falls.

Slip and Fall Injury Treatment

Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Blog Post Disclaimer

The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*

References

Hawk, Cheryl et al. “Pilot study of the effect of a limited and extended course of chiropractic care on balance, chronic pain, and dizziness in older adults.” Journal of manipulative and physiological therapeutics vol. 32,6 (2009): 438-47. doi:10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.06.008

This is the season of the year that brings special time with loved ones, but it’s also a time when many un-merry mishaps and accidents can happen. From neck and back pain to sprains and strains to serious fractures that can put you in the emergency room. With a little care, preparation and precaution, you can be safe and enjoy the holidays to the fullest, while reducing the risk of experiencing a slip and fall injury.

The Garage

This is where holiday prep, go for tools and the like usually begin. However, the garage can be the first place where danger lurks during this season.

• Most of us store the big boxes at the top on overhead storage racks etc. A wobbly step ladder, not enough upper body strength, someone opening the door where the ladder stands and tipping it, etc, is a perfect setup for a fall.
• The first thing to ask is whether or not this is a job for you? If not then wait and ask for help from friends and family that can offer added strength and balance.
• Plan ahead and prepare ahead so that repacking the decorations, lights, and so on will be a clean safe process.
• Proper footwear that can grip a stable step ladder is a must.

Around the Tree

Anything can happen around the tree, ornaments fall and break, wire from the lights shorts out, trip and fall around it.

• Just be aware of your surroundings and maybe keep a safe perimeter around the tree so nobody trips, slips and falls around it.
• Focus on stability on a ladder if you have to add, adjust, the tree/ornaments, lights and what have you.
• If the tree starts to lean, make sure reinforcements are there just in case when you're ready to straighten it out.

Maybe Get Off the Floor

Wrapping gifts on the floor doesn't pose the greatest risk for a spine injury, but it can increase chances for a muscle strain and sore back and neck. Hours just hunched over on the floor is a sure-fire set up for back pain.

• Again plan ahead and knock out the trimmings and trappings little by little so there is plenty left in the tank when it's time for the main event.
• Maybe set up the wrapping station at a table and sit for a bit, stand for a bit,  take plenty of breaks, and move around and stretch out.
• Sitting in a chair will help posture and prevent slouching.

On the House

As a spine injury specialist, I can tell you falls from the roof while hanging lights are real, and can be life-changing. From severe spine injuries to paralyzing fractures.

Safe Equipment is of the utmost importance!

• Make sure the ladder you’re using is sturdy and on solid ground.
• Only hang the lights from the eaves, so you can stand on a ladder.
• Maybe think about using one of those projection kits that project various displays onto your house without the risk of injury.

No matter how you choose to decorate and entertain this holiday season, safety is priority one. From our team here at Injury Medical and Chiropractic Clinic Happy Holidays!

El Paso, TX Chiropractor Personal Injury Attorney Recommended

NCBI Resources

 The connective tissues in and around the spine can get:

• Pulled
• Strained
• Sprained

Small tears in the disc can also contribute to back pain.

Basically, any number of activity and non-activity can cause damage to the spinal discs depending on the movement.

Manual tasks performed in an awkward posture

This includes:

• Lifting boxes with the back and not bending the knees
• Lifting something too heavy
• Moderate physical activity
• Vigorous physical activity

High intense strength training, long walks at the stores, handling people or animals, and picking up children can cause injury.

Chiropractors and spine specialists utilize spinal imaging through X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to figure out what is causing back problems and pain. Imaging is common. Whether chiropractic or spinal surgery, they help immensely discover back issues and allow the individual to see what is happening. Types of cases include back pain that:

• Comes from trauma
• Has lingered for four to six weeks
• It is accompanied by a history of:
• Cancer
• Fever
• Night sweats

Doctors use these images when diagnosing a spinal condition. Here is some insight into spinal imaging.

X-rays

X-rays for back pain can be quite helpful. An X-ray is radiation-based and is used to examine the conditions of the bone structures. X-rays are optimal for bone tissue or tissues that are ossified or calcified. They work the best with hard tissues, specifically bones. Soft tissues like muscles, ligaments, or intravertebral discs do not present as well.

Individuals undergoing a back X-ray will be scanned by a machine that generates a beam. A receiver picks registers the beam after it passes through the body and generates an image. It takes around five minutes to complete but could be longer depending on the doctor's number of images. X-rays are helpful for insurance purposes and rule out bone conditions like compression fractures and/or bone spurs. X-rays are ordered for specific reasons and are often part of a whole-body diagnostic study. This includes MRI and/or CT scan.

CT Scan

CT stands for computed tomography. It is a series of X-rays that are digitized into images using a computer. The advantage of a CT scan to standard X-rays is that it offers different views/angles of the body and can be in 3D. CT scans are most often used in trauma cases or individuals who have had surgery. They take around five minutes.

For X-rays, individuals stand up or lay under the X-ray machine as it scans the body. A CT scan has the individual lie down in a circular donut-looking machine that scans while rotating during the imaging. Individuals are recommended to wear casual loose, comfortable clothing. Sometimes a dye, or intravenous contrast, is used to get the vascular tissues to stand out, generating clearer images.

MRI

MRI is short for magnetic resonance imaging. MRIs use magnets to generate images. MRI imaging is often used in individuals that have undergone surgery. They take longer, usually around 30 to 45 minutes. No metallic objects are allowed in the MRI. Patients are asked to remove items like belts, jewelry, etc. Contrast dye can be a part of an MRI. The machine is like a tunnel. This can become challenging for individuals that have claustrophobia. Consult with a doctor and find out how to get comfortable during the process.

Other Forms of Spinal Imaging

Other forms of imaging include:

CT navigation

• CT navigation shows real-time CT scans during the procedure.

Fluoroscopy

• Fluoroscopy involves an X-ray beam that passes directly through the body that shows live, moving images.

Both of these types of spinal imaging are utilized during surgeries. For some cases, intraoperative imaging is used. This type of imaging uses high-tech robotics to help surgeons navigate through tight spaces during the procedure. This increases the surgeon's accuracy and reduces the size of the incision.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can be used for spinal conditions. This is an imaging test that uses sound waves to generate images. However, the imaging tests which are used in spinal imaging are primarily X-rays and MRIs.

Imaging Appointment

Talk with your doctor or chiropractor ahead of time to understand what to expect during the imaging process. They will let you know how to prepare and any special instructions before the appointment. Along with medical history and a physical examination, spinal imaging is an important part of the diagnostic process to find what is causing the pain and to develop the best treatment plan.

Body Composition

Short-term Effects of Coffee and Blood Pressure

The caffeine in coffee is a stimulant or substance that excites the body's systems. When caffeine is ingested, individuals experience an increase in excitement, specifically in the cardiovascular system. This excitement causes the heart rate and blood pressure to rise and then lower back to a baseline level for healthy individuals. Coffee slightly increases short-term blood pressure. Moderate coffee consumption is safe for individuals that do not have pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

General Disclaimer *

The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900.

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*

References

United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission. (May 2021) “Doses in Our Daily Lives” https://www.nrc.gov/about-nrc/radiation/around-us/doses-daily-lives.html

X-Ray for Back Pain: Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine. (April 2009) “What is the role of imaging in acute low back pain?” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2697333/

In today's workforce, many jobs place workers at a higher risk for a back injury. The list is pretty extensive and may surprise you! Individuals that have suffered a  neck or back injury at work know the cost goes beyond lost wages. The impact of these injuries on employees, employers, and the economy is staggering.

In a report published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 2.8 million cases of non-fatal occupational injuries and in 2018.  Of these cases, more than 50% lost time from work, transferred to a different job, or restricted work activity. Not all of these cases were spine-related injuries. However, 880,000 cases were back pain-related injuries.

The World Health Organization's International Labour Office says that the problem is global.

Musculoskeletal diseases are a very common part of 270 million non-fatal work/job accidents where employees missed at least 3 workdays.

Risky Jobs

Occupational safety experts gather all kinds of information that they factor. This includes job requirements, work environment, and work station set up. In compiling the list of risky occupations, here are some of the criteria:

• Heavy physical work
• Forceful lifting movements
• Bending
• Twisting
• Awkward work postures
• Whole-body vibration
• Static work postures like standing/sitting but never changing position compounds the risks to workers.

Two occupations that lead the list of jobs placing workers at the highest risk are construction and nurses/nursing home workers. Workers in both of these jobs tend to share the under-reporting of work-related injuries. This happens as the employees fear they will lose their job and cannot afford to take any time off.

Construction Workers

Employees at a construction site are repeatedly lifting, bending, carrying, pulling, and tugging. These repetitive movements lead to overuse injuries and back strain/sprains are a common part of this. More than 30% of workers have to miss job time. Those that must climb ladders or work on scaffolds have a greater risk of falling. This is where some serious spinal injuries can occur, causing disability and sometimes being fatal.

Nurses/Nursing Workers

Nursing homes and employment opportunities are growing from elderly population growth. These workers are at high risk for back pain and spine injury. This comes from transferring patients' from their beds, bathtub, and bathroom facilities. All these actions require lifting, carrying, holding, pulling, pushing, and turning. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports nearly all back and shoulder injuries are the result of moving patients.

Warehouse Workers

This is another job that requires lifting, along with using forceful movements, bending, twisting, carrying, and placing the body in awkward positions. Sometimes these workers have to drive a truck or an industrial vehicle that creates whole-body vibration. Continual exposure to vibration can cause backache and soreness that can lead to lost work time.

Dentists and Surgeons

Both of these professions involve prolonged standing, stooping, bending, and awkward body positioning. Not to mention the mental strain that diverts the doctor's attention to proper posture and body mechanics that results in injury and pain.

Landscapers

The American Chiropractic Association puts landscapers in the top 10 list of jobs that cause back pain. This job puts these workers at a greater risk for cumulative trauma disorders. All the tasks that a landscaper has to do that include hedge trimming, tree pruning, and planting. These actions/movements involve lifting, reaching, bending, and stooping. This is a perfect set up for an overuse back injury.

Hand tools that get used over and over can cause painful conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome. Thoracic outlet syndrome is when the nerves and blood vessels become compressed between the neck and shoulder.

Store Cashier

Grocery and retail store cashiers require workers to stand in one place for a long time. This along with the repetitive motions of scanning, typing, opening, closing combined with bagging and lifting bags over and over can cause neck, shoulder, back, leg and foot pain. Over half of checkout workers complain of back pain.

Other High-Risk Jobs

• Airline crews meaning pilots, baggage handlers,
• Factory workers
• Bakers
• Bus
• Cab drivers
• Cable and telephone line installers
• Carpenters
• Electricians
• Hairstylists
• Plumbers
• Carpet installers/cleaners
• Dry cleaners
• Medical technicians
• Farmers
• Firefighters
• Police
• Maintenance workers
• Automotive technicians
• Office personnel
• Professional athletes

Job Injury Prevention

We may not be able to instantly change our occupation, but there are steps to help prevent neck and back injuries. The key is workplace ergonomics and safety. Be proactive to help reduce workplace risk for neck and back injury and share what you learn with co-workers.

Heel Spurs Treatment | El Paso, Tx (2020)

NCBI Resources

Injuries that are caused by repetitive movements often develop gradually. This is the time when the symptoms are mild and come and go, so the individual just works through it and doesn’t think about it. It’s not until the symptoms get very painful and debilitating that the individual realizes that something is wrong, and then they seek medical attention. Don’t wait, as soon as you feel a tingle, slight pinch, or a little soreness and you feel that it stems from your work’s repetitive movements, get in touch with a doctor or chiropractor before it becomes excruciating.