Personal Injury Physicians

Non-Surgical Pain Relief Methods to Explore Before Going Under the Knife

If you have recently suffered a personal injury that has left you with painful tissue damage, you may be frustrated with the ineffectiveness of pain medications. Many people undergo risky and invasive surgeries in an attempt to regain mobility and experience relief from pain, but this method should be undertaken as a last resort, due to the potential for worsening the condition. Before you agree to an unnecessary procedure, consider using the following techniques for relieving pain and facilitating healing:

Electrical Stimulation
Through the use of electrodes attached to the skin, a therapist can activate injured muscles with gentle pulses of electricity. This serves to strengthen and repair muscle tissue while nourishing it with increased blood flow.

Ultrasound
While ultrasound is commonly known as an imaging technique, it can also be used to safely provide heat to tissues deep below the skin’s surface. Ultrasound works by emitting high-frequency sound waves that heat up water molecules within the muscles and joints, providing increased circulation and facilitating mobility.

Massage and Intersegmental Traction
Both massage and intersegmental traction work by applying pressure to the muscles in order to stretch and relax them. Massage therapy is performed by a licensed massage therapist, who presses and rubs the muscles to warm them and flush out toxins. In contrast, intersegmental traction involves the use of a therapy table that contains rollers which move up and down the patient’s back, soothing taut muscles and relieving pain.

Exercise Therapy
With the help of an exercise therapist, patients can learn how to stand, sit, and walk to relieve pressure on the muscles and joints. During therapy sessions, exercises are performed in order to increase strength and range of motion.

To learn more about these and other non-invasive pain relief therapies, contact Personal Injury Physicians by calling (904) 638-3702. Our Jacksonville physical therapy practice aims to help patients regain physical freedom through the use of various therapeutic modalities.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician. 

What to Do if Back Pain Continues

Although back injuries generally heal within two months, pain can sometimes persist for much longer. Watch this video to learn how you can deal with chronic back pain resulting from a personal injury.

Stubborn back pain can often be relieved through the use of chiropractic manipulation. In addition to seeing a chiropractor, you may benefit from massage therapy and physical therapy. Regardless of which treatment route you take, it is important to seek help sooner rather than later so the problem does not continue to interfere with your life.

Personal Injury Physicians of Jacksonville can help you overcome persistent back pain as well as a number of other personal injuries. Call (904) 638-3702 today to schedule an appointment and start on the path toward a pain-free life!

What You Can Do at the Office to Help Prevent Neck and Back Pain

Many cases of personal injury occur not because of one drastic accident, but instead because of gradual damage that occurs to the body over time. Such issues are common in office settings, where employees are encouraged to sit in the same position for hours on end while typing or doing other repetitive tasks. Here are some ways to combat the neck and back pain that can result:

Maintain Good Posture
One of the most important aspects of staying comfortable and preventing repetitive stress injuries is maintaining the proper body position. Your lower back should be arched inward and supported by your chair, while your upper back should retain a natural curve. Your neck and head should be relaxed and balanced above your spine, with your shoulders relaxed and your arms positioned close to your body. Wrists should be in line with arms, and should hover over the keyboard rather than resting on the desk. Search for an adjustable desk chair that allows you to comfortably accomplish this positioning.

Position Your Computer Correctly
Having your keyboard, mouse, and monitor too far away or at the wrong heights can cause personal injury over time. Your monitor should be positioned so that your chin is at a 90 degree angle to your body while you look at the screen. You should be able to type on your keyboard without having to extend your arms at all, and elbows should have at least a 90 degree bend. In addition, the mouse should be directly to the right of the keyboard so that you don’t have to reach for it.

Take Frequent Breaks
Many desk jobs require that employees remain seated for many hours each day, which is why it is vital to move around for a few minutes every half hour. During breaks, stand up, walk around, shake out your hands and arms, and change your neck position so that your muscles can relax.

To learn more about preventing back and neck strain or for help treating an existing personal injury, call the best physical therapists in Jacksonville, Personal Injury Physicians today at (904) 638-3702.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician.

Trigger Points: The Potential Root of Your Pain

If you have persistent pain in a certain part of your body, you may be suffering from trigger points, or painful spots within a muscle that can cause soreness in surrounding areas. Read on to learn all about trigger points and what your options are for pain relief:

Causes of Trigger Points
Although comprehensive studies on the subject have yet to occur, research indicates that injury, whether from a single occurrence or gradual strain, can lead to the formation of trigger points. Activities that increase a person’s chances of developing trigger points include constantly leaning over a work surface, cradling a phone using the shoulder, improperly lifting heavy objects, and using furniture with poor support.

Symptoms of Trigger Points
Chronic pain in a specific area is the primary symptom of trigger points, with range of motion often being compromised as a result. The affected muscles are usually those involved in core body posture, such as the muscles in the neck, back, and shoulders. Other symptoms of trigger points include tinnitus, TMJ, and tension headaches.

Treatment for Trigger Points
In conjunction with identifying and eliminating the lifestyle factors that contributed to the development of the trigger points, patients can choose to pursue a number of noninvasive treatment avenues, including massage, ultrasound therapy, cryotherapy, superficial heating, and electrical stimulation. For effective pain relief in long-term cases of trigger points, many patients opt for trigger point injection, or the insertion of anesthesia into the affected area.

To learn more about the various treatment modalities available for relieving trigger points and other soft tissue injuries, visit Personal Injury Physicians in Jacksonville, FL. Call us today at (904) 638-3702 to schedule an appointment with one of our caring personal injury doctors.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician.

Levels of Function in Spinal Cord Injury

The spinal cord relays messages from the brain to all parts of the body through electrical signals. When injury is sustained to this structure, bodily functions can be permanently lost.

This video explains how spinal function is classified. If the injury is high up on the spine in the cervical region, little bodily control is possible. With injuries further down the spine, more independence and mobility exists.

Personal Injury Physicians can help you improve your motor skills after a spinal cord injury with a wide range of treatment modalities and physical therapy. Learn more on our website or by calling us at (904) 638-3702.

Disclaimer:
The materials available at this website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing medical advice. You should contact your doctor to obtain advice with respect to any particular medical issue or problem. Use and access to this website or any of the links contained within the site do not create a doctor-client relationship. The opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual author and may not reflect the opinions of the medical office or any individual doctor or physician.