A Chiropractor Chooses from an Array of Options to Treat Slip, Trip, or Fall Injuries

A trip, slip, or fall can be extremely painful, particularly if it leads to physical injuries. Some of the most common and agonizing problems that may occur due to these accidents are soft tissue, neck, and back injuries. The direction of the fall, as well as age, may impact the kind and the extent of slip-and-fall injury incurred. Learn more about these conditions and how a chiropractor can provide complementary care for improved rehabilitation outcomes.

Chiropractic Care for Soft Tissue Injuries

The most prevalently damaged soft tissues during slips and falls are muscles, ligaments, tendons, and nerves. Bruises, sprains, and strains are examples of soft tissue injuries. If you’ve slipped, you may have injured the tendons and ligaments in your ankles and wrists. Injuries like these must be treated, since they may produce chronic pain and increase risks for future injuries. A chiropractor can offer different treatments to eliminate soft-tissue tension and aid recovery. Some possible modalities include gentle stretching, massage, trigger-point therapy, dry-needle therapy, and balance adjustments.

To illustrate, a patient with a superior labrum anteroposterior (SLAP) tear of the shoulder might receive soft tissue mobilization and strengthening exercises for the rotator cuff muscles and serratus anterior. After four sessions, his pain should lessen and he should soon resume usual activities with ease. Chiropractic treatment for soft-tissue injuries can be effective and lead to faster recovery.

Chiropractic Treatment for Neck and Back Injuries

Besides injuries to soft tissues, slips and falls may produce neck or back problems due to the force of falling down. To treat neck injuries, a chiropractor may apply a neck adjustment or cervical manipulation, a procedure applied to the neck joints and frequently by hand. Adjusting the neck can enhance the mobility of the spine and help patients regain their usual range of motion.

Furthermore, spinal manipulation and other forms of chiropractic care may be effective to treating back injuries, especially back pain. Manipulations can reduce stiffness and tenderness. Chiropractic care may likewise include strengthening and conditioning exercises, apart from providing advice on proper nutrition. Care may also incorporate chiropractic mobilization, which pertains to low velocity manipulation as well as stretching the muscles and joints. Mobilization can increase the range of motion to the affected areas.

Injuries from slips and falls can be a large obstacle to everyday activities. Apart from consulting a doctor, consider visiting a chiropractor who can offer treatments related to your health needs. A chiropractor can provide manipulations and mobilizations, among other procedures, to address pain and movement problems.

Sources:

“Complications of muscle injuries,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“Conservative treatment of a rock climber with a SLAP lesion: a case report,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
“The Level of Pain & Injury from Slip and Fall Accidents,” bisociety.org

Dr. Darren Faherty D.C.

In 2004, Dr. Darren Faherty graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from UWEC - University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Dr. Darren continued education at the highly esteemed University of Western States (formerly Western States Chiropractic College) where he obtained his chiropractic degree in 2007. He has been helping people recover from injuries and return to their normal lifestyles ever since.