Integrated Care for Auto Accidents in Monmouth County

An auto accident can happen at any time. While auto accidents always catch drivers off-guard, the recovery process is one aspect of auto accidents that can be controlled. The most common auto accident injuries include back pain, whiplash, or arm and leg injuries. It is extremely important to seek out treatment for painful conditions as soon as possible—before an acute injury becomes a chronic pain condition.

Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center simplifies the process of treating auto accident injuries by offering a Medical Doctor that specializes in pain management; a team of Physical Therapists; Acupuncture; Massage Therapy; and Chiropractic Care.

Medical Care and Pain Management for Auto Accident Injuries

Doctors specializing in pain management, or Physiatrists, focus on the non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including the back pain, neck pain, disc problems, or arm and leg pain that often occur due to an auto accident. At Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center, this type of Medical Doctor leads a team of practitioners (including physical therapists, acupuncturists, massage therapists, and Chiropractic Doctors) in diagnosing and treating auto accident patients with the healthiest, most conservative and effective treatment options.

Our Medical Director will work to create a program of care to reduce pain, increase mobility, and (when necessary) help patients adjust to the use of assistive devices such as wheelchairs or braces. An auto accident is a traumatic event; a Physiatrist also addresses the emotional and social needs of patients during the pain management and rehabilitation process.

The model of care at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation Center centers on harnessing the body’s ability to heal naturally, without surgery or excessive drug use. In some cases, however, the pain caused by auto accident injuries is so great that patients are unable to use physical therapy, acupuncture, and/or chiropractic care to relieve pain. When this happens, our pain management specialist may recommend the use of an injection involving a corticosteroid and/or anesthetic numbing agent. The types of injections performed at our Red Bank facility are outlined below:

Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) are used to treat inflammation and pain associated with a number auto accident-related conditions, including back pain, herniated or bulging discs, or abnormal alignment of the vertebrae. The epidural space surrounds the spinal sac and provides cushioning for the nerves and spinal cord. When steroids are injected in this area, they produce an anti-inflammatory reaction that can decrease pain and help patients increase functioning.

Facet Joint Injections (injections of a long-lasting steroid) are administered in the facet joints, located between the vertebrae of each spinal segment. Facet Joint Injections are used in auto accident cases in which pain has developed in a joint of the body.

Sacroiliac Joint Injections are administered in the Sacroiliac Joint, which is located between the sacrum (the bone in the lower portion of the spine, below the lumbar spine) and the right and left iliac (pelvic) bones.

Coccyx Injections may be used when it has been established that pain is originating from the coccyx (tailbone).

Our pain management specialist also performs Peripheral Joint Injections, Trigger Point Injections (for pain originating in the muscles), and Sympathetic Blocks. The purpose of all of these treatments is to increase functioning so that patients can use Physical Therapy and other conservative treatments at our practice.

Acupuncture and Auto Accidents

Acupuncture is an effective tool in addressing both the physical and emotional trauma following an auto accident. For example, this ancient Chinese practice can be used to alleviate stress and anxiety while reducing the pain of whiplash and herniated discs. In many cases, acupuncture can greatly help to decrease patients’ reliance on pain-killing medications.

Acupuncture for Emotional Trauma: Some auto accident victims experience a form of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an accident. This often occurs because of the fast-paced, unexpected nature of auto accidents; they happen without warning and so quickly that the brain is unable to process the experience until well after the incident has taken place.

Fortunately, the experience of acupuncture is one of calm and relaxation. This practice has been shown in studies to decrease heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relieve anxiety. Chinese medical practitioners believe that this effect is the result of liberating the body from unhealthy blockages in the flow of energy. Western medical studies have demonstrated that Acupuncture helps with the release of certain feel-good neurotransmitters in the brain (serotonin, for example).

Acupuncture for Whiplash, Herniated Discs, and other Physical Trauma: Chinese medicine considers whiplash to be a disorder of balance because sudden force affects the structure of the bones. Treatment focuses on alleviating the pain associated with whiplash while helping patients regain proper balance.

Herniated discs occur during auto accidents because the force of impact is often strong enough to damage the spine. The discs of the spine act as a cushion between the vertebrae; during and auto accident, the soft, inner part of the disc bulges or slips out of place, affecting the nerves and causing pain.

With both herniated discs and whiplash, the sooner acupuncture is started the more effective it can be in terms of pain relief. By stimulating the nervous system, acupuncture helps the body to release chemicals that ease pain. In particular, acupuncture prompts the release of endorphins, which have both natural painkilling effects as well as calming properties.

Physical Therapy for Auto Accident Injuries

The purpose of physical therapy is to promote maximum movement and flexibility while reducing pain. This is particularly relevant for auto accident victims in that many auto accident injuries can cause substantial pain and immobilization.

For typical auto accident injuries such as whiplash, disc problems, or conditions affecting the arms and legs, there are a number of physical therapy modalities offered at Monmouth Pain and Rehabilitation. These include:

Therapeutic Exercise: It’s important that any exercise program attempted after an auto accident is designed and supervised by a physical therapist. Therapeutic exercise is an extremely important part of the recovery process in that it helps patients to restore strength, range of motion, and balance.

At Monmouth pain and Rehabilitation Center, equipment such as recumbent bikes, graduated dumbbells, or an elliptical machine may be used. Our facility also offers the use of Power Plate Full Body Vibration technology. This cutting-edge technology incorporates vibration to maximize circulation and restore damaged muscles and tissues.

Spinal Decompression: For auto accident patients experiencing pain in the back, neck, arm, or leg, spinal traction is a non-surgical, effective therapy. It works by removing pressure on spinal nerves that may be compressed by herniated or bulging discs, or from inflammation.

Neuromuscular Re-Education: This method facilitates the return of normal movement in patients with neuromuscular injuries after a car crash. Using manual techniques, this type of therapy also promotes the body’s healing abilities by imprinting new messages to the control center of the brain. This process replaces the damaged patterns caused by trauma or injury that can lead to chronic pain.

Low Level Laser Therapy: Many types of auto accident injuries can be treated effectively with Low Level Laser Therapy. This therapy promotes healing by speeding up processes at the cellular level and aiding in the production of collagen, the main protein in connective tissues. Low Level Laser Therapy can help to reduce inflammation and pain.

Chiropractic Care for Auto Accident Injuries