Whiplash happens to us too

And there I was, west bound on TV Hwy stopped at the right light. Two Beaverton police officers were tending to a crash just 15 ft to my left when it happened. A teen-aged girl, looking at the commotion to the left, hit me from behind. Ahhh!

It had been decades since my last crash. I had forgotten the ear piercing sound of bending metal and brain rattling force that jolted through my body. I had also forgotten the physical / emotional havoc a person feels after even a minor crash.   
Yes! I've been seeing my Chiropractor to get myself put back together and things are going well.

Whatever you may be feeling, you can bet we have probably felt the same and understand how to get it fixed. 

AUTO INJURY?

We can help!

503.431.2388

Dizziness and Whiplash

Dizziness is frequently associated with auto injuries and whiplash. One mechanism of this involves what happens inside the ears and it's effect on eye moment. Fixing the ears and normalizing eye movement is critical before anything else. 

Inside the ears are extremely small circular tubes lined with salt crystals. When the head slams back and forth in an auto crash, some of these salt crystals can flake off. As these loose crystals float around inside the small circular tubes, people feel dizzy. As the person feels the spinning sensation, the eyes move opposite the direction. 

Post auto crash dizziness is maddening at best and can be debilitating. Sitting up from bed, standing up from sitting and even turning the head can render some people nauseous and unstable. These are the things Fox Chiropractic helps with every day.

We're here when you need us.

Richard H. Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

Auto Crash and Low Back Pain

It happens way too often. You're minding your own business sitting at a red light. Just before the light turns green... CRASH! You were just rear-ended.

After a few days, your low back starts to ache a bit. Advil helps take the edge off but that ache continues. Walking to the car hurts. Sitting at your desk hurts. Standing doesn't help. By this time you're thinking something is just not right.

This scenario walked into the office not long ago. We took an x-ray of the back and pelvis and this is what we found.

Look at the "Mickey Mouse" ears of the pelvis... Are the ears the same height like they're supposed to be? No way! But how does this happen in a rear end crash?

The foot is typically resting on the break. The force of impact slams the occupants forward in the blink of an eye. If one leg is out-stretched against the floor, that force is directed through the leg to the pelvis and now walking, sitting, standing and a whole host of other daily activities are challenging. 

Helping scenarios like this is what we do every day.

 Auto Injury Recovery

Call me if you have concerns.

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431-2388

Words to Avoid

In the unfortunate event you're involved in a car crash, there are some words to avoid when speaking with the insurance company. Words are powerful. Keep is simple, keep to the facts and keep it truthful.

SORRY:
This immediately implies some sort of fault. Even if the crash is clearly caused by your negligence, let the police officer or the insurance company make that determination.

WHIPLASH:

This is a buzz-word in the industry and sure to get your claim fast tracked for investigation. If you feel you've suffered and injury, get it documented and let the provider submit the report. It's covered! Make the most of your policy when you need it.

FINE:

On the other hand, stating you are "fine" could signal a rapid closure of your claim. The fact is, with any car crash you should be evaluated because symptoms often do not develop for days or weeks after the incident.  

INTENTIONAL:

Insurance companies cover a wide variety of claims. They do not cover intentional acts of negligence. This one word could crush any hopes of damage recovery. 

Richard H. Crokin, DC

503.431.2388

Double Impact Crash

A "tough-guy" contractor came in last week after a double impact car crash. He was rear-ended by a bus and then shoved into the car in front of his. His work truck was totaled and had to be towed away. He was a mess. Surprisingly, a medical doctor at the Urgent Care suggested he come see us.

It's been a week now. He felt a bit better after the first week and by Friday I started hearing him say things like "I feel pretty good," "I'll be OK in a few days," and "This isn't gonna take long."  I knew otherwise...

Monday came around and the first thing out of him was "I feel like I got ran over," "I didn't realize how bad this was," and "This is gonna take a while." 

Injuries to muscles, ligaments and nerves are not like a broken bone where the doctor puts a cast on it, marks the calendar and in 6 weeks it's ready to go. Because we move all day, sit, stand, bend, lift and twist, healing time varies depending on many things; the severity of impact, prior health status and necessary activity levels. 

Car crashes and whiplash take time and regular rehab to fully and appropriately  heal. Let us evaluate your condition, make recommendations and start the process as soon as possible. 

The sooner care begins with us, the sooner you get your life back.

Auto Injury Recovery

Fox Chiropractic

503.431.2388

Be Safe; Make a Claim

A brilliant young woman had been treating in our office for straight forward neck and back issues. We were about 4 weeks into her recovery when she presented telling me the night before she was rear-ended. She described being at a stop light when the car behind her "bumped" her. They both got out, determined no vehicle damage had occurred and they both just DROVE AWAY. She figured she would be fine...

24 hrs or so later she developed a headache she attributed to stress from work. The thing was, she rarely suffered headaches, even minor ones. After chatting a bit and suggesting she might consider making a claim to her car insurance, she declined repeating "there was no damage to my car. I'll be OK." Well the nagging headache referred behind her right eye continued.

This went on for nearly 2 weeks when the digestive complaints started. "Maybe I'm getting the flu or something." I thought differently and took an x-ray to confirm or rule out my suspicions. (Although these are not the actual films taken, they represent what we found nicely.) 

The spine has normal curves to support the head and body like a spring against gravity. Think of a banana. It's curved because that's the way it needs to be; like the x-ray on the right. Even low speed accidents can force the banana neck to reverse. This happens because the force of "the bump" is transferred to the occupant in milliseconds. This is WAY faster than the body can respond causing the banana to bend backward. (Bend a banana backward. What happens to the banana inside? Well, that's the spinal cord!) 

Auto accident? Call  Fox Chiropractic  and get checked!

 

 503.431.2388

Low Speed Rear End Collision

 

When stationary, the typical human head weighs about 10-14 lbs. That same head generates 9 X the force of gravity during a 6 mph crash.

See it happen here...

Is it any wonder your neck hurts, back aches and head pounds? Can you see how  concussions happen? Are you ready to recover?

I'm available to chat about your options.

 Call me directly

Richard H. Crokin, DC

(503) 431-2388