Understanding Common Personal Injuries and Their Impact
A personal injury is rarely a simple, isolated event. The forces involved often create a cascade of issues that can affect your muscles, ligaments, joints, and nervous system. At American Integrated Healthcare, our team is trained to look beyond the primary site of pain to identify these interconnected problems. We understand that a shoulder injury from a fall isn’t just a shoulder problem; it’s a whole-body event that requires a comprehensive evaluation to map out all areas of dysfunction. Our goal is to diagnose and treat the entire pattern of injury to support a more complete and lasting recovery. We frequently provide care for a range of injuries resulting from accidents, including:
- Whiplash-Associated Disorders: This common auto accident injury is far more than just a sore neck. The violent back-and-forth motion can damage ligaments, strain deep muscles, misalign cervical vertebrae, and irritate sensitive nerves, leading to headaches, dizziness, fatigue, and radiating arm pain.
- Soft Tissue Injuries (Sprains and Strains): A sprain is a stretch or tear of a ligament (which connects bone to bone), while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. Both injuries destabilize the affected joint and can lead to chronic pain and instability if not properly rehabilitated.
- Herniated or Bulging Discs: The impact from a fall or accident can cause the soft, cushioning discs between your vertebrae to bulge or rupture, putting direct pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. This can result in severe localized or radiating pain, like sciatica.
- Joint and Extremity Injuries: Injuries to the shoulders, knees, and hips are common in slips and falls and workplace accidents. These injuries often involve a combination of ligament sprains, muscle strains, and underlying joint misalignment.