Can I See a Chiropractor After a Slip and Fall?

Slip and fall accidents can be painful.

But is chiropractic care the right option for you?

 

Whether you trip over a welcome mat or slip on a wet floor, falls (and the resulting injuries) have a way of disrupting your life. All you want is to recover quickly so you can get things back to normal.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident, your injuries can range from mild to severe. And whether you’re dealing with run-of-the-mill aches and pains or a major concussion, you’re likely interested in fast, efficient treatment.

But did you know that chiropractic care is not only an option for post-fall treatment, but it may also be the best way to get your joints (and your life) back on track.

In this article, we’ll take a look at what happens during a slip and fall accident, common injuries you may experience, and the many benefits of seeing a chiropractor for treatment.

What Happens During a Slip and Fall Accident?

No two slip and fall accidents are the same. The environment, how you fall, what you slipped on, even the shoes you were wearing will all affect what happens during a slip and fall accident.

That being said, there are a few things that are very common during these incidents that can affect your injuries.

The first thing that happens during a slip and fall is a sudden release of adrenaline. This hormone is responsible for the “fight or flight” response when our body senses danger.

Common side effects of this adrenaline surge are rapid heart rate, rapid breathing, and sweating. Adrenaline also causes you to tense up in preparation to fight (or flee), which can concentrate the force of the fall in your muscles, leading to increased risk of muscle strain and injury.

 

Common Fall Injuries

If you are lucky enough to avoid a concussion, cut, bruising, or fractured bone, you may experience:

Strains and Sprains

During a slip and fall, your body may move in unfamiliar ways. Your legs may sprawl in opposite directions or your muscles may be stretched past what they are used to, causing a strain (i.e. injury of the muscles or tendons).

If you hit the ground with a great deal of force, your joints may move in unnatural ways, spraining your ligaments.

Shoulder or Wrist Injuries

If there is anything nearby, it is an automatic reaction to reach out and grab it to prevent your fall (whether it’s capable of holding you up or not). This can force your shoulder, arm, or wrist into unnatural positions.

This is only exacerbated if you are not used to holding up your body weight.

Spine Injuries

As your center of gravity shifts during a slip and fall, your back may twist to control your fall and your neck may be thrown backwards or forwards with great force. This can lead to whiplash, misaligned joints, and even headaches.

Ankle Injuries

The ankle joint is known as a “mobile adaptor,” which means it can adjust in multiple directions to keep you upright on changing terrain.

When you’re walking on a sloped surface, this extreme mobility can be a good thing. However, when you slip, trip, or put your weight on an uneven surface, that extra movement can cause your ankle to roll out from underneath you.

Pinched Nerves

A strong enough force from any direction—including the force of gravity—can be enough to knock your joints out of alignment. When this happens, it’s incredibly common for the surrounding nerves to be pinched, which can send signals throughout the body. This is known as referred pain.

Benefits of Chiropractic Care

If you’ve been looking for a safe, effective, drug-free treatment for your slip and fall injuries, chiropractic care can give you the relief you’re looking for!

• Total Body Healing – Chiropractic care is a holistic treatment, which means it treats the body as a whole rather than a collection of parts. If your arm numbness is being caused by a pinched nerve in your back, a chiropractor can address that.

• Speeds Up Recovery – Putting your joints, muscles, and nerves in their proper alignment allows your body to heal itself naturally.

• Lessens Need For Painkillers – All pain relievers come with risks (yes, even Tylenol and Motrin!). By treating the root of your issues rather than merely dealing with symptoms, you experience less pain and zero side effects.

• Prevents Future Injury – Every day, millions of people go about their daily lives without realizing that their joints are misaligned, leaving them vulnerable to injury. Chiropractic adjustments help improve range of motion and reduce inflammation, which strengthens you against future accidents.

If you haven’t already, consider seeking out chiropractic treatment for your slip and fall injuries.

 

Chiropractic Can Help

A slip and fall accident can be frightening, as it reminds us of exactly how fragile our bodies are. However, with regular chiropractic care, you can not only recover from your injuries but prevent future injuries as well.

At Oviedo Chiropractic, we offer a wide range of treatment options—including manual adjustments, decompression therapy, medical massage, and E-stim treatments—to address a variety of conditions. We are also experienced in the ideal methods for treating seniors as well as athletes.

Schedule an appointment today to see how we can help.