Chiropractors can help with spinal fracture pain from construction accidents by adjusting the spinal column to relieve stress and restore blood flow in the area. Because spinal fractures can affect both the bones in the back and its surrounding tissue, a chiropractor may also massage the area to relieve tension and align vertebrae.
All of these measures aim to treat one’s pain and provide relief as quickly as possible.
How a Chiropractor Can Help with Spinal Fracture Pain
The chiropractor will begin by diagnosing the condition. They may request x-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans to determine the severity of the fracture. In many instances, chiropractic care can facilitate the body’s natural healing process, particularly if treatment begins soon after the injury occurs.
Your chiropractor may use stabilization techniques to reduce pain and take the stress off the fracture. Depending on how your body responds to treatment, they may realign and stabilize the vertebrae.
Your Chiropractor Can Administer Preventative Care
Once your fracture has healed, your chiropractor can help prevent future fractures by recommending strengthening exercises and changes in your lifestyle.
Immediately following your injury, your chiropractor may recommend that you use medications to help you manage your pain levels. But often, with continued chiropractic treatment, patients can remain pain-free without pharmaceuticals.
This is a significant benefit as prescription pain medicines can have adverse side effects, including fatigue, dizziness, and cognitive impairment. Certain painkillers can also pose the risk of dependency or addiction.
Working with a health professional, such as a chiropractor, can provide a natural, safe means of pain relief.
Spinal Fracture Symptoms
Spinal fractures can be incredibly painful. If left untreated, spinal injuries of this kind may result in additional fractures, compressed nerves, and other potentially debilitating conditions. Severe fractures can even lead to paralysis if they do not heal properly.
Because many construction workers already suffer chronic pain due to their physically demanding professions, they may not immediately realize a fracture has occurred. However, by understanding what symptoms may point to a spinal fracture, one can seek to promote their wellbeing.
Per the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), some indicators of a spinal fracture may include:
- Loss of bowel or bladder control
- Tingling or numbness in the arms and legs
- Moderate to severe back pain
- Reduced range of motion
It is imperative to seek medical attention as soon as possible if you experience back pain after a construction accident. The sooner you receive treatment, the more likely you are to avoid long-term consequences.
How Spinal Fractures Occur
As Cedars-Sinai explains, spinal compression fractures typically occur from excessive pressure on the vertebrae. Often, this happens when there is downward pressure on the spine when a person bends forward.
These injuries can occur gradually or suddenly due to osteoporosis, excessive pressure, a very hard fall, or another type of physical damage.
Your injury may be the result of:
A Fall Accident
Falls are common on construction sites due to uneven or slick surfaces, holes in the ground, and misplaced equipment. Workers may also fall as they go up and down ladders. If an individual falls hard enough, the impact may fracture their spine or other bones in the body.
Repetitive Strain
Repetitive strain injuries are also common among construction workers and others in labor-intensive professions. The constant twisting, bending, and holding of awkward positions can cause cumulative trauma, such as tendonitis. This condition can weaken soft tissues and increase an individual’s susceptibility to certain injuries.
Improper Lifting
Construction workers should receive training about how to lift, carry, push, and pull heavy loads safely to avoid injuries. By improperly lifting a heavy object, one can increase their risk of pinching nerves and tearing ligaments. Improper lifting techniques can cause cumulative or sudden trauma, which may also weaken the back and increase the risk of other problems, like fractures.
Work with a Chiropractor for Help with Spinal Fracture Pain
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), back pain is a leading cause of disabilities worldwide. You do not have to live with back pain from a spinal fracture after a construction accident. A chiropractor can help. If you are interested in taking the first step toward a pain-free life, turn to Dominguez Chiropractic.
Since 2003, we have been the Atlanta area’s one-stop injury center for victims of construction accidents, car crashes, and other traumatic events. We have five office locations in Gainesville, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Doraville, and Decatur. Dr. Barbara Dominguez and her team are dedicated to helping patients achieve long-term solutions for pain, mobility limitations, and related ailments.
Call (404) 800-3000 to schedule an appointment and learn more about how a chiropractor could help you.