Treating injuries from slip and fall accidents

We've all experienced a slip and fall accident. They're a part of life and sometimes impossible to avoid. But, as frequent as slip and fall accidents occur, there is a disconnect when it comes to seeking treatment. People tend to downplay the significance of the trauma, assuming the pain will go away and that it's no big deal. However, the injury could be more severe than you think and getting checked when the injury occurs helps prevent future issues.

Common causes of slip and fall accidents:

1. Wet floors and walkways.
2. Ice and snow.
3. Cluttered aisles and fallen merchandise.
4. Damaged floors and floor coverings.
5. On stairways, loose or damaged handrails.
6. Slippery flooring materials.
7. Elevators and escalators.
8. Inadequate lighting.
9. Landscape hazards such as pebble-size gravel, mulch, and loose sand.
10. Damaged sidewalks.

Treatment Options:
Treatment options vary depending on the type of injury sustained from a slip and fall accident. Chiropractic care, especially when coupled with x-rays, can be beneficial to address any subluxations resulting from the accident. Treatment from other medical professionals may also be helpful if the injuries are more severe.

Soft tissue injuries are not visible which can make treatment more difficult to determine. These types of injuries could include minor ankle and wrist sprains to devastating tears in tendons and ligaments. Chiropractic care coupled with massage therapy or physical therapy may be the best route.

If you hit your head, it's important to seek medical care. Even if you thought it was just a little bump, a minor head injury could quickly turn into a medical emergency. If there is swelling, bleeding, or even a brief loss of consciousness you may have a concussion. Minor concussions usually clear up on their own, but more serious brain injuries can permanently alter your ability to function. Head injuries cannot be diagnosed based on symptoms alone, and some very serious head injuries produce only minimal symptoms at first. No matter how inconvenient it is or how “fine” you feel, your first stop after a head injury should be to your doctor. New technology is available that enables a physician to determine the degree of brain injury more precisely than ever before.

If your slip and fall accident causes cuts and abrasions, they can look quite severe, but typically these injuries are often less worrisome. Leg and arm abrasions are common, as are wounds to the head and hips. In most cases, these injuries only require superficial treatment, and perhaps some stitches. Seeking treatment from your primary care doctor could be beneficial as well as a visit to your chiropractor.

Not as often as other injuries, but sometimes spinal cord injuries during a slip and fall accident. But when they do occur, these injuries are almost always life-threatening and demand immediate medical care, as well as ongoing treatment. You'll want to see your physician as soon as possible. After a determination that there is no further risk to the spinal cord, treatment with a chiropractor can help align the spine so the muscles and vertebrae don't move back into a position where damage can occur.

Lastly, broken bones can result from a slip and fall accident and can be quite painful. Whether you sustain a minor fracture or a severe break requiring surgery, the tissue surrounding the broken bone(s) may also be damaged, necessitating long-term therapy to prevent chronic pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. After seeking a diagnosis from your physician and x-rays, a combination of chiropractic care, physical therapy, and massage therapy can get you back to feeling better.

If you suffer a slip and fall accident in Eugene, Oregon, please give our office a call. The doctors at Pure Life Chiropractic can help assess and provide treatment to get you back to feeling better. Call us today! 541-343-5633