Should I get examined after an Auto Collision?
If you have been involved in an auto collision chances are you have sustained injuries. The smallest of collisions can cause injury to the structures of the neck, spine, and musculature. While it is true that some injuries with heal naturally without any intervention, the vast majority of injuries can be helped and improved in the healing process with conservative chiropractic care. Additional benefits include prevention of further injury or recurrence of injury, increased speed of healing, improved function, increased range of motion, pain reduction, and education about the influence of posture and other everyday stresses.
Being involved in an auto collision is extremely stressful. While you are dealing with the difficulties involved with repairing your vehicle you may not be as aware of the damage that has occurred within your body. Many times these auto collision injuries are hidden and remain undetected for months or even years. If the injuries are not treated they may result in problems that surface after the accident victims have settled their case with the insurance company.
Why would this be a problem? If your case is settled you have no claim on your insurance company to pay for your care. It is always best to understand your rights before you make any decision. We believe that treatment should be provided until you reach the same functional level you were at before the collision. The insurance company shouldn’t be required to cover more than this. They cannot be held responsible for pre-existing injuries, but have a responsibility for those injuries caused by the collision. It occurs frequently that the perceived injuries from an auto collision are minor, such as soreness or fatigue. But these ‘minor injuries’ very easily could result in more severe pain including headaches, stiffness, numbness, loss of function or arthritis if left unexamined or untreated. The best thing to do is to get examined by a professional. Sometimes the worst thing to happen is to have no pain at all. This may cause the person to believe they have no injuries when serious underlying problems exist.
The biggest distraction to an auto collision injury victim is the vehicle. They often focus on their car long before they worry about their own body. Nothing should be more important than your own health.
So what is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t get care? One not so happy result is post-traumatic osteoarthritis. This can alter your posture and can allow your spinal discs to degenerate at an increased rate. This leads to scar tissue formation and chronic stiffness and ultimately results in significantly reduce mobility. In other words, you may find yourself feeling much more aged than you are.
It is important to note that many physicians are not specifically trained in the detection of certain auto collision injuries. Auto collision victims need a doctor who is educated in biomechanics. In addition, radiographic films should be used to identify any structural damage. There are also cases where treatment by more than one specialist is optimal. We will make such referrals as necessary. Our primary goal is to provide care when needed. We also make sure that correct records are kept to submit to the insurance company. This protects the rights of the patient.
Please contact our office to schedule an appointment for an examination. 801-810-4144.
Chiropractic Care or Physical Therapy
As I encounter potential patients I am occasionally asked whether chiropractic care of physical therapy might be more effective for their particular condition. I have learned that there seems to exist a feeling among some that one should always seek physical therapy after an auto collision injury and not for chiropractic care. Although I fully respect and honor what physical therapist provide for their patients I must admit I was puzzled at some of the reasoning for this sentiment. I found that those who favored PT after auto collision injuries simply believed that chiropractic did not actually help the patient find pain relief and that their treatments were based upon non-medical criteria and had no research to support such care. They claimed that there was no data to support the success of chiropractic care. They also argued that chiropractic physicians have insufficient education and quailifications. These two statements are simply wrong.
There has been a lot of research into whether of not chiropractic care can provide pain relief to auto collision victims. These studies also showed that chiropractic patients not only found relief from pain quicker, but were able to return to work faster and experienced fewer recurrent episodes of pain than those who sought care from other types of care. I need to add that there is a wide array of chiropractors and the types of care they provide are varying. Chiropractors who provide care for auto collision injury patients and do not prescibe home care- exercises and stretching- are not providing the standard of care they ought to be.
In regards to education, chiropractic college admission requirements include courses that most often add up to over 3 years of undergraduate studies. This being the case most students chose to finish their bachelor’s degree before admission into chiropractic college. And as is the standard for a doctorate degree chiropractic college is a four year academic endeavor, bringing the total years of education to approximately 8. In addition, Chiropractic Physicians are portal of entry providers and are professionally qualified to examine, diagnose, and treat auto collision injuries. Those who specialize in this care are usually very experienced and have additional education and credentials for auto collision injury care.
If you have been involved in an auto collision and are seeking care, please consider this information when making your decision. Often times patients seek advice from an MD who may not be fully aware of this information or may not be familiar enough with chiropractic care to make a proper referral. Remember, you are in charge of your own healthcare. Educate yourself before making any decision.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Reynolds please call 801-810-4144. We are available to treat patients in Draper, Utah as well as Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Cold Laser Therapy
We are excited to announce the addition of a new service to our clinic. Cold Laser Therapy (also referred to as Low Level Light Therapy- LLLT) is now available. This service can be received in conjunction with chiropractic adjustments and other therapies or can be experienced without other treatment options.
What does Cold Laser Therapy do? It reduces pain by altering the levels of specific compounds that are active during the inflammation process. It also stimulates the mitochondrion in each cell to increase the production of ATP causing an increase in oxygen delivery and use in the cells. This improvement of biochemistry allows for an increase in overall cell energy and is used to transform live cells from a condition of illness to a healthy, stable state. General therapeutic laser biological effects include increased cell growth, increased metabolic activity, faster wound healing, anti-inflammatory action, increased vascular activity, reduced fibrous tissue formation, and stimulated nerve function.
Cold laser therapy is widely used for treatment of acute and chronic conditions. Below is a short list of conditions that have been shown to be treated successfully with Cold Laser Therapy: (* denotes conditions we have seen in our office)
- Ligament sprains (including ankle sprains)*
- Muscle strain (such as a hamstring or shoulder muscle)*
- Auto Collision injuries*
- Tendonitis*
- Arthritis (rheumatoid & osteoarthritis)*
- Elbow and wrist pain
- Back pain*
- Neck pain*
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Bursitis
- Earaches*
Here are some of the advantages of cold laser therapy treatments.
- Easy to apply
- Extremely safe
- Non-Toxic , Non-Invasive
- Painfree application
- No side effects
- Highly effective in reducing pain (more than 90% efficacy)
- Superior pain relief over analgesics, NSAID’s and other medications
- Significantly reduces the possibility of surgery
If you wish to receive Cold Laser Therapy for any condition please contact our office at 801-810-4144. We would be glad to assess your condition and help identify which treatment options would be optimal for your care and answer any questions you may have. Our office is located in Draper, Utah. We are a chiropractic pain relief clinic.
Pregnancy Chiropractic Statistics
There are limited resources for accessing information and statistics about chiropractic care during pregnancy. Our patients have reported wonderful results regarding chiropractic care during pregnancy, but few publications have research the matter. In an effort to consolidate information and identify thebenefits of receiving chiropractic care during and throughout pregnancy we have compiled statistical information here. Please note this information is gathered from many sources with varying degrees of credibility from scientific reviews to survey reports. Please contact our office with questions regarding specific resources.
Back pain during pregnancy
- 50% of all pregnant women experience back pain during pregnancy
- 50-75% of women experience back pain during labot and delivery
- 21% of pregnancy women seek medical consultation regarding nack pain
Success rate of chiropractic care during pregnancy
- 75%-84% of women who receive chiropractic care during pregnancy report relief of back pain
- Substantial relief from back pain is experienced with an average of 1.8 chiropractic treatments.
Benefits of chiropractic care with regards to labor and delivery
- Women who seek chiropractic care during pregnancy report a 24% shorter labor and delivery time than those who don’t seek care
- Women who seek chiropractic care while pregnant with multiple babies first report a 31-39% shorter labor and delivery time
- Breech presentations are reduced using the chiropractic Webster Technique with a success rate of 84%-92%
Postpartum care
- It takes approximately 8 weeks for pelvic and uterine ligaments to return to normal after labor and delivery.
There are many ways to interpret the above information. What is generally clear throughout the research and data is that chiropractic care during pregnancy is safe and gentle. It is also considered successful and effective treatment for a variety of issues experienced during pregnancy.
Please contact our office to schedule a no charge consultation to answer any further questions you may have about receiving chiropractic care during your pregnancy. 801-810-4144. Please remember that we also have 2 offices to serve your needs- Salt Lake City, Utah and Draper, Utah.
Desk Posture
The number of people with desk jobs has increased significantly over the last 10-15 years. In addition, the amount of time spent at a computer or desk at home or at work similarly risen dramatically. As such, there has been a plethera of posture related conditions that are much more common. With a quick look at the common posture of desk or computer workers can give a good idea of where these problems are coming from. Posture.
The common conditions that arise from this posture include headaches, arm and hand pain, neck pain, possible anxiety, and even panic attacks (usually involving more than posture). Breathing patterns and biomechanics are altered and organ function can actually be lowered due to this posture. There are other effects as well. The muscles of the back can become stretched and weakened. Chest muscles become short and tightened (don’t mistake this for becoming stronger). All in all, one may begin to change their appearance due to the sustained posture they hold while seated at a desk or computer.
It is common for anyone who spends any significant amount of time at a computer to begin to slouch or lean forward. The common position is where the chin begins to jut out and the shoulders roll forward while the upper back begins to round. I like to call this the “Melted Position” and it is commonly seen among high school students.
To begin to correct any problem created by poor or incorrect posture the cause must be properly evaluated. Chiropractic care is optimal for this. Full evaluation of the spine and seated and standing posture are examined. Chiropractic adjustments allow the spine to improve its range of motion and quality of motion. It also stimulated the nervous system to decrease pain and improve muscle function by optimizing innervation. Home care should also be provided to help overcome poor habits and allow the body to heal and correct itself.
Some simple advice can help one to avoid poor desk posture. This advice is intended to help one evaluate their need for further assistance or needed improvement and is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. First, pay attention to chin position. If it is kept tucked in and not allowed to jut out that is a positive. Second, be aware of the shoulder blades. They should be tucked together gently in back without any assistance from the chest or shoulder muscles. These steps, when done properly and following the advice of a healthcare professional can be instrumental at avoiding pain and problems and allow for a healthy posture and body function.
Call to schedule an initial examination at our Draper, Utah office.
801-810-4144
Arm & Hand pain
Are you experiencing hand or arm pain? There are many possible causes for this and almost all of them can be addressed through chiropractic treatment and ancillary therapies offered at our clinic. It’s true that the source of the pain may be at the area the pain is felt in, but it may be more complicated. In fact, many times pain in the arm or hand may originate in the shoulder, neck, or upper back.
To be able to correctly diagnose the source of hand or arm pain a full examination of the neck and back as well as the arms and hands must be completed. While visiting our clinic you will receive an examination including neurologic, orthopedic, and chiropractic portions, as well as a general evaluation of the areas of complaint. When present we are able to correctly identify if involvement of the spine, be it the cervical (neck) or thoracic (upper back) region. Sometimes the arm or hand pain manifests after prolonged pain or dysfunction in the back or neck. When hand and/or arm pain results from an initial complaint of upper back or neck pain chiropractic care may be the best option for treatment.
There are particular habits that are common among those with hand or arm pain. Here is a short list.
- Sleeping position- The recommendation is to sleep on one’s back or in a side-lying position. Stomach sleeping can be the cause (or an exacerbating issue) of pain in the neck or down to the arms or hands. An evaluation of a neck pillow should be done to ensure the proper support for the preferred sleeping position.
- Posture- Improper sitting or standing posture may be another cause of pain, especially when a certain position is required for an extended period of time, such as a desk job. A postural evaluation can be performed to identify the issues and to provide corrective advice.
- Breathing- Many times improper breathing accompanies hand and arm pain. Panic attacks or anxiety is another condition that can accompany arm pain. If you have a history of arm pain and anxiety of panic attacks your breathing technique not be optimal.
In addition to chiropractic treatment, home care is an essential part of correcting the pain. To be able to avoid recurrence of pain correction of habits must be made. Home care exercises focused on improving functionality can help to change those imperfect habits and allow for strengthening of the body. Most of the home care that is beneficial for this type of pain is focused on upper back exercises.
To schedule an appointment with our office call 801-810-4144. We have offices in Draper,Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Sleeping Positions
I have been told your preferred sleeping position can tell a lot about your personality. Your sleeping position can also tell a lot about your physical health as well. The average person spends about 1/3 of each day sleeping, yet most of us don’t concern ourselves with our quality of sleep health .
So are you a healthy sleeper? Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do I awake refreshed?
- What position do I sleep in?
- How old is my mattress?
- Do I experience morning back pain?
- What is the quality of my pillow?
- Do I experience morning neck pain?
- How many hours do I sleep continuously
The best position for sleep is usually on your back. For most people putting a pillow under your knees can reduce any low back strain that may be present while in this position. Most therapeutic grade pillows are designed to accomodate a ‘back-sleeper.’ Side sleeping is a fine alternative for those who don’t like back sleeping. In this case be sure to place a pillow between the knees to reduce the amount of low back rotation that can occur. Stomach sleeping is not recommended. When sleeping on the stomach the head and neck are in extension and rotation. This happens to be the most problematic position for your neck and can cause multiple problems. There is no healthy way to sleep on your stomach when it comes to posture. Morning neck pain frequently accompanies stomach-sleeping. Deneration of the cervical spine can also be perpetuated by stomach sleeping postures.
If you are waking up with neck pain you should first evaluate your pillow. Does it support your head and neck? Does it support your head away from your shoulder if you are sleeping on your side? If your shoulder needs to be raised in order to sleep you should look for a new pillow as this may be the source of your neck pain.
There are many types of pillows that claim to solve sleep problems and range form $20 to $150. To decipher which pillow might work best for you identify which sleep position you prefer- on your back, side, or stomach. (Remember- it is highly recommended to avoid sleeping on your stomach).
If you are experiencing morning back pain there are some simple things to do to help alleviate that pain. If the pain does not diminish within a few days after adjusting your posture you should seek professional advice as your condition may be more serious. Chiropractic has an outstanding track record for alleviating low back pain. Additionally, you should evaluate your mattress. Most mattresses have a five to nine year warranty. This is due to the wear and tear that occurs. If your experience back or neck pain or diminished sleep quality consider the age of your mattress.
For any specific questions about sleeping position or morning low back or neck pain please contact us at 801-810-4144 to schedule a no charge consultation with Dr. Reynolds. We have offices in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah.
Auto Insurance & Auto Collision Injury
There seems to be so many questions regarding auto insurance following an accident (or collision). Most people who are not seriously injured seem to take care of their vehicle first without thought as to their own health or wellness. This is understandable. What is very interesting to note is that so few people understand their own auto insurance coverage. Here are a few of the most common questions regarding an auto collision injury.
- “Should I (or can I) see a doctor?”
- ”What is it going to cost me?”
- ”Will my insurance cover the exam?”
- “Which is the best type of professional to see?”
- “How long should I wait to be treated?”
- “How much treatment will my insurance cover?”
- “Do I need a personal injury lawyer?”
Many patients that contact their claims adjuster after a collision come away thinking that medical expenses will not be covered. This can be due to the verbage used by the insurance adjuster. Phrases such as “not guarenteed,” or “the decision is yours,” can ceate a concern. Do not be alarmed by these type of statements. A physical examination will almost always be covered by an auto insurance company following an auto collision to verify that there is no serious injury or that potential health issues are identified. Insurance companies do not like to pay out for treatment when there is little evidence of such damage. They need to see that the treatment being provided is medically reasonable. As such, they will do their best to reduce their payout.
As far as options for treatment, chiropractic is a great choice. We will be able to best identify and treat injuries that are sustained in an auto collision injury. We will also provide you with home care exercises to help restore your function to pre-injury status. You do not need to wait for any particular amount of time before receiving an examination. It may be best contact our office as your earliest convenience to begin thed diagnosis and treatment process quickly.
My advice to everyone is to be aware of your insurance coverage now- before you are involved in any type of injury. Find an insurance agent that is willing to spend the time with you to help you understand what coverage you are paying for, not just someone who can get you the ‘lowest rate” (aka weakest coverage). Additionally, understand what PIP (personal injury protection) is and what is might cost to raise it above the state minimum. It may just be a matter of $5 over a 6 month period to have your PIP coverage raised from $3,000 to $10,000.
To further explain, PIP- Personal Injury Protection- is the amount that you are covered for in any auto collision injury that is medically reasonable or necessary. This includes any related chirorpractic, medical, x-ray, rehabilitation, surgical, ambulance, or hospital expenses. This amount also includes any lost wages. The total amount can be quickly exhausted in one trip to the hospital in an ambulance with no treatment provided. All this should be taken into account now as to where to set your PIP coverage.
If any of this information seems confusing please consult a personal injury lawyer who can explain the details more fully. Please contact our office for a list of Attorneys whom we recommend in the Salt Lake Valley area, including Draper and Salt Lake City.
How Many Visits?
Who hasn’t heard the myth that once you see a chiropractor you’ll have to keep going back for the rest of your life.
Most chiropractic patients arrive at their doctor’s office with months or years of problems. They are in pain and just want to get relief. Most often it hasn’t dawned on them that their condition is a result of months or years of habits, behaviors, and stress that have allowed pain to result. This can even be true when the source of the pain is an acute injury.
Chiropractic is a unique profession. Our philosophies and protocols differ from the traditional allopathic approach. We do not proclaim that all your problems can be cured with a magic little pill. We do not suggest that we go ahead and open you up to see if there is something we can find wrong with you. We much prefer to help you make small changes to lifestyle, posture, or biomechanics that can help result is significant changes.
When determining how many visits or treatments one might need there needs to be an understanding about expected outcomes. Which of the following is your purpose for treatment?
- I want to find out if this pain is serious
- I want pain relief only
- I want to do something I currently am unable to do because of pain/discomfort (i.e. play with kids, golf, ski, sleep)
- I want to be healthy & well
- I want to stay healthy & well
Those who are seeking to be healthy and well and to stay that way will find that chiropractic can be a fantastic source for assistance towards that goal and may seek care throughout their life. Those who simply want pain relief may simply choose to be treated a handful of times. The key here is that the patient determines what their purpose for treatment is.
So, how many visits do you need? You decide. But first, come see how we can help you.
We have offices in Draper, Utah and Salt Lake City, Utah. Call 801-810-4144 to schedule.
Breech Presentation Treatment Options
If you have just been told your baby is in the breech position and you are 34-37 weeks pregnant this article is for you.
What does breech mean? It simply means the baby is not in the correct position to allow a proper birth without complications- head down. During pregnancy the baby is often in a position where the head is up. When delivery draws closer (about 34-37 weeks) the baby should assume the vertex position of head down in preparation for delivery.
Breech birth presentations greatly increase the chance of a C-section birth. According to statistics from 2003, 87.2% of all breech presentations were delivered by Cesarean.
If you have reached this point and your baby is still not head down your physician may suggest a procedure called external cephalic version (ECV) -the doctor attempts to turn the baby while in uterus by pushing on the baby through your abdomen. This procedure involves risk of vaginal bleeding, premature rupture of membranes, fetal distress, and premature labor. When high-risk pregnancies encounter breech presentations often times the ECV is not recommended or even contraindicated (meaning it is not even considered a possibility due to increased risks). If this occurs the most likely response is simply to wait hoping that the baby will turn on its own. Even when the ECV is done it has only seen a 58% success rate. So if you have either tried the ECV unsuccessfully or are unable to try it what can you do besides wait?
Sometimes the best way to find a solution is to evaluate the cause of the problem. Most babies naturally assume the vertex position before labor because their instincts direct them to. So, why hasn’t your baby turned vertex? Is it because your baby is lacking the instincts to do so? Not likely. Something is preventing the baby from following the natural process. The most trusted obstetrics and gynecology text states that the cause for failure to turn over 50% of the time is simply unknown.
Enter the Webster Technique. Larry Webster, DC noticed a correlation between misalignments of the sacral and pelvic bones and abnormal fetal positioning in the late 1970’s. He developed a chiropractic technique focused on restoring movement and alignment in the pelvic region. Following this procedure the babies would regularly turn to the vertex position without additional external influence. His success rate was over 90% within three treatments. This can be explained through simple anatomy.
Ligaments of the Uterus -Uterosacral ligaments behind the uterus, Round ligaments in front and the Broad ligaments on each side- attached it to the pelvis and sacrum. When the hormone Relaxin is released during pregnancy it causes a loosening of soft tissues. The result can involve a shift in the pelvic bones causing misalignment and aberrant motion. Bed rest and improper postures contribute to this by adding additional tension to the pelvic structures. Ligamentous tension then leads to intra-uterine constriction as the uterus is limited. This leads to restriction of the baby and prevents natural healthy movement. Until the restriction can be removed the baby may not be allowed to assume the proper positioning.
The Webster technique uses chiropractic adjustments to realign the sacrum. This promotes proper movement and reduces constriction on the uterus. The baby can now be allowed to move freely and naturally. There are no other external forces applied and it is extremely safe and very comfortable. Additionally, this technique has been shown to have an 85% success rate of reducing breech presentation. Success has occurred with this technique when used as a last option with minimal treatments given, but it is much more successful when a series of treatments over a week of two is allowed. The Webster technique is most successful when begun by the seventh of eighth month of pregnancy.
When considering its success rate and non-invasive nature, this technique ought to be the logical first choice for mothers and birth practitioners who encounter a possible C-section or other complex delivery options due to abnormal presentation. It is also suitable for all pregnancies because of its safe and gentle approach.
Additional benefits from chiropractic care during pregnancy and from decreasing intra-uterine constraint include the following:
- Maximized diameter of the birth canal
- Decreased chances of difficult labor and additional complications during delivery
- Decreased discomfort
- Improve sleep
- Improved biomechanics & gait (walking motion)
Dr. Reynolds is Webster Technique certified and is available to provide care in his Draper, Utah office as well as in the Salt Lake Prenatal Massage clinic in Salt Lake City, Utah. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Reynolds call 801-810-4144. Dr. Reynolds is also offering a 10 minute consultation at no charge to answer any questions you may have about the Webster technique or about chiropractic in general.
