6 Tips Chiropractic Patients Must Observe If They Are In a Car Crash

6 Tips Chiropractic Patients Must Observe If They Are In a Car Crash

By: Greg Millar DC CCEP; Ken Randolph DC ASBCE (AL Board of Chiropractic); Justin Walbom DC;
Ryan Friel DC; Jessica Davis DC; and Kay Bishop DC.
Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Huntsville, Madison, Jones Valley and Decatur Alabama

Few instances shatter our normal world into pieces more quickly than an automobile accident. Never expected, a wreck causes bodily injury, stress, and, in some cases, ongoing financial litigation issues.

Unfortunately, the vast number of vehicles on the road today, as well as drivers' penchant for distracted driving, dramatically increases an individual's chances of being involved in a crash. If you already suffer from an injury or medical condition, you must do your part to ensure it is not aggravated or exacerbated.

If a car crash happens to you, it's essential to recognize and follow these six tips to keep you safe and your injuries to a minimum.

Immediately take stock of the situation

The way you react seconds after a crash impacts the situation tremendously. First determine if your in a safe place. Is it safe to move or get out of the car? Are you in imminent danger in the vehicle?  Then think about your other occupants. For example, if the automobile is on fire, or you are sinking into a lake, rescue yourself and others as quickly as possible. Otherwise, stay inside your vehicle unless its not in a safe place.

Analyze your injured areas

Then do a simple body survey, where am I injured?  Do I have a red plumbing problem? If YES, Its severity will control your actions. How injured do you appear to be?  Keep in mind you are not a doctor. So, even if you feel fine, your neck or back could still have been impacted. Identify which areas of your body hurts, and the intensity of the pain. Then do the same for other occupants.

Wait for the authorities

Stay calm inside your vehicle and wait for the police and ambulance to arrive. This is imperative if your vehicle has flipped and you are hanging from your seatbelt. Many head and neck injuries result from automobile occupants releasing their seat belts after a crash that has left them upside down.

Inform the emergency technicians

Once help arrives, it's vital to explain to them, if you can, the areas of injury. If you have previously suffered from injury or medical condition to your neck, back, or spine, let them know that, too.

This information helps them formulate the form of extraction and emergency treatment that minimizes the chance of creating further harm. Be calm and specific when you relay the information, using simple language and the 1-10 pain scale to describe your level of discomfort.

Always go to the Hospital and be checked out for life threatening injuries

Again you are not a doctor, So go to the hospital and let the professionals check you out. We can not tell you how many patients we have seen with internal injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents. Of course internal injuries are not normally visible to the untrained eye.  

Visit your chiropractor

If your injuries are deemed not life threatening and you are released by the hospital, be happy and grateful that you were not hurt worse! Then, make an appointment with your chiropractor, and explain the nature of the wreck. Certain injuries take a few days to show up, and the crash could have impacted bones, joints, and ligaments that went undiscovered during the initial after-crash exam. Ask for a complete examination, and talk with your chiropractor about any treatment deemed necessary.

Minimize the chances of another automobile accident

While you cannot control being in a wreck, you can take measures to guard against the occurrence, and give yourself a greater chance to avoid injury. Always wear your seatbelt, avoid distracted driving (this means your cell phone), maintain your vehicle's brakes and tires, and understand the current traffic laws. Commit to driving at a safe speed depending on the weather conditions, and never, ever drive after imbibing alcohol.

Being in an automobile accident is scary business, and we hope it never happens to you. There is increased risk to individuals who already deal with medical conditions or bodily injuries from sports, work, or falls. However, by maintaining a clear head and following these six tips, you can minimize the chance of being seriously injured in many car wreck situations and return to your normal life quickly, putting this awful incident behind you.

If you are in a motor vehicle accident we at Millar Chiropractic Clinics offer a FREE* consultation to talk a one of our doctors about your accident. Please call the appointment center 1-800 462-4476 for appointments at all clinics.

FREE*: this is a free 20-30 min meeting/consultation with the doctor. No x-rays or treatment of any kind will be included. Some persons or insurances not allowed to receive free services if that is your case then this does not apply to you. Cash Value 40.01. Results Vary.

Millar Chiropractic Clinics
303 Williams Ave SW
Huntsville, Alabama 35801
(256) 830-0000

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5 Foods That Fight High Cholesterol

This article reposted from Harvard Medical School publications. Good information. Dr Greg Millar DC CCEP.  5 foods that fight high cholesterol It’s easy to eat your way to an alarmingly high cholesterol level. The reverse is true too — changing what you eat can lower your cholesterol and improve the armada of fats floating through your bloodstream. Fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and “good fats” are all part of a heart-healthy diet. But some foods are particularly good at helping bring down cholesterol. How? Some cholesterol-lowering foods deliver a good dose of soluble fiber, which binds cholesterol and its precursors in the digestive system and drags them out of the body before they get into circulation. Others provide polyunsaturated fats, which directly lower LDL. And those with plant sterols and stanols keep the body from absorbing cholesterol. Here are 5 of those foods: Oats. An easy way to start lowering cholesterol is to choose oatmeal or a cold oat-based cereal like Cheerios for breakfast. It gives you 1 to 2 grams of soluble fiber. Add a banana or some strawberries for another half-gram. Beans. Beans are especially rich in soluble fiber. They also take a while for the body to digest, meaning you feel full for longer after a meal. That’s one reason beans are a useful food for folks trying to lose weight. With so many choices — from navy and kidney beans to lentils, garbanzos, black-eyed peas, and beyond — and so many ways to prepare them, beans are a very versatile food. Nuts. A bushel of studies shows that eating almonds, walnuts, peanuts, and other nuts is good for the heart. Eating 2 ounces of nuts a day can slightly lower LDL, on the order of 5%. Nuts have additional nutrients that protect the heart in other ways. Foods fortified with sterols and stanols. Sterols and stanols extracted from plants gum up the body’s ability to absorb cholesterol from food. Companies are adding them to foods ranging from margarine and granola bars to orange juice and chocolate. They’re also available as supplements. Getting 2 grams of plant sterols or stanols a day can lower LDL cholesterol by about 10%. Fatty fish. Eating fish two or three times a week can lower LDL in two ways: by replacing meat, which has LDL-boosting saturated fats, and by delivering LDL-lowering omega-3 fats. Omega-3s reduce triglycerides in the bloodstream and also protect the heart by helping prevent the onset of abnormal heart rhythms. But stay away from... As you consider eating more of the foods that can help dial down cholesterol, keep in mind that avoiding certain foods can also improve your results. To keep cholesterol levels where you want them to be, limit intake of: Saturated fats. The saturated fats found in red meat, milk and other dairy foods, and coconut and palm oils directly boost LDL. So one way to lower your LDL is to cut back on saturated fat. Try substituting extra-lean ground beef for regular; low-fat or skim milk for whole milk; olive oil or a vegetable-oil margarine for butter; baked fish or chicken for fried. Trans fats. Trans fats are a byproduct of the chemical reaction that turns liquid vegetable oil into solid margarine or shortening and that prevents liquid vegetable oils from turning rancid. Trans fats boost LDL as much as saturated fats do. They also lower protective HDL, rev up inflammation, and increase the tendency for blood clots to form inside blood vessels. Although trans fats were once ubiquitous in prepared foods, many companies now use trans-free alternatives. Some restaurants and fast-food chains have yet to make the switch.

How Losing Weight Can Help Reduce Back Pain for Chiropractic Patients

How Losing Weight Can Help Reduce Back Pain for Chiropractic Patients
By: Dr. Greg Millar, DC CCEP and Dr. Justin Walbom, DC
Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Huntsville, Madison, Jones Valley, Decatur Alabama

Back pain is one of the most common and most troublesome problems that people experience. Eight out of 10 individuals will struggle with back pain during some point in their life, the US National Library of Medicine reports. Low and chronic back pain can be aggravated by many triggers. Mechanical stress, excessive strain, muscle weakness, poor sleeping position, lack of exercise and excessive weight could all contribute to making the situation worse.

The good news is that chiropractic ranks among the most popular and effective treatment options available today for back pain. Through the chiropractic adjustment, chiropractors not only help ease the pain but also work toward correcting the problem. According to chiropractors, spinal adjustments can deliver even better results when combined with weight loss.
In today’s article, we’ll exam the following:

1. How Obesity and Back Pain are Related
2. How Weight Loss Helps Reduce Back Pain
3. Improving Back Health through Chiropractic

How Obesity and Back Pain are Related

Individuals that are classified as overweight or obese are much more likely to experience back pain than people that aren’t according to the American Obesity Association.
Obesity prevents individuals from engaging in everyday physical activities, as well as healthy exercises. These are essential for strengthening the core muscles. A stronger core can take some of the burden away from the back, thus making back pain less likely.

In addition, the spinal cord becomes excessively burdened in the case of obese individuals. This is because it’s trying to compensate for the additional weight, which can cause tilting and uneven stress. Both of these can contribute to serious and chronic back pain. Thus the reason obesity is one of the most prominent aggravating factors in the case of lower back pain.

How Weight Loss Helps Reduce Back Pain

According to weight loss experts and chiropractors, weight loss can contribute to partial or complete reduction in the back pain symptoms. The research on the connection between weight loss and back pain is still insufficient but numerous practitioners report that they’ve seen cases of patients experiencing serious reduction in pain after losing weight.

Obviously, this occurs because the extra weight is taken off the spine. As a result, the spine doesn’t experience further stress. Especially when a chiropractor realigns the vertebral column through multiple sessions of chiropractic adjustments. According to the American Spine Society, individuals that stay within 10 pounds of their ideal weight are the ones least likely to experience spinal problems, particularly chronic lower back pain.

Improving Back Health through Chiropractic Care and Physical Activity

The combination of exercise and chiropractic care can produce noticeable, long-term improvements in spinal health. Besides aiding in weight loss, exercise is also great for strengthening the core muscles and guaranteeing a proper distribution of the body’s weight throughout the spine. Stronger muscles, less weight and better posture will provide amazing long-term benefits for chiropractic patients that suffer from back pain.

If you need more pointers on how to incorporate weight loss and exercise in your daily routine, speak to your local chiropractor. He or she is more than competent to guide you along the way. If you aren’t currently seeing a chiropractor, give us a call. We’re here to help!

Millar Chiropractic Clinics - Alabama Chiropractors
For Appointments Call the Appointment Center Toll Free 1-800 Go Chiro or (800) 462-4476 locally at (256) 830-0000 OR visit us online at www.millarchiro.com
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