Slips, trips, and falls are the leading cause of injury and worker’s compensation claims in the nation annually. In fact, OSHA requires many different industry professionals to attend specific training for slip and fall scenarios. Their goal is to prevent these types of accidents from happening. While we believe this is an admirable goal and we sincerely hope patients aren’t dealing with slip and fall injuries, we understand that accidents happen. The Chiropractic Center of Erie and the Chiropractic Center of Longmont provides chiropractic care for slips, trips, and falls.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS?
Slips occur when there’s a loss of traction between your foot/shoe and the surface you’re walking or standing on. Trips happen when you are moving with some momentum and your foot strikes an object causing you to lose balance. Falls create the most opportunity for injury and are described as the sudden loss of balance resulting in an impact that suddenly stops the momentum. These differences may seem subtle at first, but they often change the types of injuries sustained as a result.
COMMON INJURIES RELATING TO SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
Slips
Slips often occur unexpectedly. This means that a person who slips goes from a relaxed state to a very tense state as the body prepares for what may become a fall. This sudden transition from relaxed to tense, especially when the body is not balanced or aligned, can lead to back and chronic neck pain. The muscles pull the skeletal system out of alignment which pinches nerves and causes pain. Patients who’ve experienced a slip may not notice feeling pain immediately but often find themselves sore later. If left untreated, the body “learns” this new alignment, and thus, learns to remain in a state of discomfort and pain.
Trips
Trips also occur unexpectedly – sometimes over an object left in the way, or even over our own feet. The sudden change from the body’s expected momentum on its previously charted path to its new, off-balance trajectory creates immediate cause for concern. The body tenses up again preparing for the fall that’s sure to come. Regardless of whether a person falls or not, the act of tripping alone is enough to lead to injury. These injuries can be more obvious such as bruises from the object that was tripped over. Or they can lie in strains and sprains to the muscles or ligaments. Patients who’ve tripped may overstretch a muscle or bend their extremities in less than optimal ways out of instinct to catch themselves.
Falls
Injuries from falls vary greatly. They can be minor bruising and scraping, or they can be larger compression fractures and anywhere in between. This depends greatly on the height the fall occurred from and the surface the person lands on. For example, a fall from a great height onto a trampoline would likely result in no injuries, whereas a fall from tripping on the street could result in strained muscles and broken bones. From most falls, many people don’t notice severe pain immediately because the body begins producing adrenaline quickly to mask the pain. It’s important to seek medical care earlier rather than later in most cases.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
The correct treatment for patients dealing with injuries from slips, trips, and falls will depend on the injury and the patient’s needs. Some require X-rays, and some require other forms of diagnosis before treatment will be administered. Treatment for many is the manual correction or adjustment. If a patient is uncomfortable with manual adjustments, an activator tool can be used to target and move specific musculoskeletal elements. As with any patient that we treat, our doctors will follow our award-winning treatment process. This will combine manual adjustments or manipulations with dolphin neurostim treatment and finally soft-tissue massage to help retrain the muscles to hold your body in proper alignment for longer. Each of our doctors is trained to see and feel any irregularities, but their most important tool when treating patients isn’t their hands, it’s their ears. Our doctors listen to your needs and to your account of the accident. They use this information to know where to begin your treatment.
SUMMARY – CHIROPRACTIC CARE FOR SLIPS, TRIPS, AND FALLS
The Chiropractic Center of Erie and Chiropractic Center of Longmont offers patients relief from their pain and the stability to help ensure the injury doesn’t return! Furthermore, we listen to our patients and follow an award-winning treatment process to ensure they get the results they need. Contact us to schedule your appointment today and don’t forget we also offer massages! Our doctors, massage therapists, and staff are dedicated to ensuring you receive the holistic treatment you need! If you’d like to learn more about chiropractic care for slips, trips, and falls in Longmont or Erie or have questions about what to expect during your first chiropractor visit in Erie or Longmont, call our office today. We will gladly answer any questions, give us a call at 303-828-3000 or 303-772-1950!
