Have you ever wondered how your body heals itself from an injury?
Well maybe not, when it feels so bad. Understandably, not all injuries are the same. Neck Whiplash, for example, which can be from sports as well as car accidents, can leave anyone feeling out of sorts. Yet, once the healing is working as it’s supposed to, it’s amazing what your body can do, when given the support it needs.
Whether it’s a fracture, tendon strain, sprained ligament, dislocated joint, whiplash, meniscus tear, concussion, bruise,… believe me, I’ve seen it all,… some accidents having multiple injuries;
Whatever is damaged must be protected from further aggravation of the injured tissue while being nurtured back to full recovery.
To do this, a new coordination must take over in the interim, so that other joints and muscles can compensate for the restricted movements from where it hurts. All joints within your musculoskeletal frame, from head to toe, need to work with precise coordination for your everyday movements. Only now, all the “players” in this “team work” have to be more creative, as the nervous system “brain storms” for an adapting, on-the-fly approach.
The spine is the main “switchboard” for both the body’s communication and the transfer of mechanical forces. All musculoskeletal movements are meant to be an extension of activity in the segmental muscles of the spine, branching out from the core of your body.
Whenever that’s not the case, you have a disconnection between regions of your body, leading to further problems down the road. NSA chiropractic care takes direct advantage of the interactivity between your movements and your nervous system. That allows us to make sure you avoid the stress of repetitive movements, which can lead to further injury and pain.
For injuries involving the limbs; Once the spine is leading the coordination of that “team work”, your healing will need to assimilate the new style of functioning with your normal, everyday activity. To ensure that the new neural pathways keep growing in that direction between your visits, hands-on training in utilizing the SRI home exercise program will also be given throughout your care.
It may not seem like there are that many options for your movements to support your recovery when it’s hurting so badly. Nonetheless, as I gently guide you with my hands using Network Spinal technique, you’ll be naturally drawn towards functioning in the manner that supports your healing – during your adjustment treatment and at home. This will actually make it easier and quicker for you to recover from any future injuries as well.
Whiplash, Car Accidents & Headrest
More about how your body is trying to help you, in spite of the pain:
Even inflammation in the acute stages of injury, is actually understood to be the body’s way of protecting the injured tissue and promoting its healing. Its purpose is to remove components of damaged cells, while expediting the delivery of proteins, white blood cells, and fluids into the site of injury. This may surprise you, if you’re still being told to ice after an injury. But word is finally getting out there that this practice as a general rule was never based on medical science. Even the originator of that idea long ago published a change of mind. All references in this article summarized at the end.
Nonetheless, no study can be specific to every injury or individual differences. So if the ice pack feels good to you, by all means, as long as it’s helping you, continue using it within the safety guidelines you’ve been given. There are always exceptions.
Although this next tip is not a quick cure, it may still help to keep in mind, especially if you’re on your own, not able to get treated right away; Whatever hurts and, more significantly, how you’re reacting to the pain, if you’re able to observe closely enough, can be used to guide you. Ditto for any symptom related to the accident, such as numbness, tingling, dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or nausea. Any discovery from tuning in to what feels better and what feels like you’re going down the wrong path, can only help.
References:
Inflammation helps, ice not recommended
Dr. Gabe Mirkin, the originator of the concept, changes his mind
“Anything that reduces inflammation also reduces healing”
Emergency Medicine Journal
“Conclusion: There is insufficient evidence to suggest that cryotherapy improves clinical outcome in the management of soft tissue injuries.”