Whether you were walking after a heavy rain or trusted an old, rusted handrail in your apartment complex, slip and falls are all too common. The injuries that can result from a slip and fall accident can be devastating. Beyond the initial trauma, such falls have the capacity to leave victims experiencing severe chronic pain and a lifetime of adjustments.
If you are suffering from a slip and fall injury, the chiropractors and medical doctors at Naples Community Injury Center in Naples can create a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Our programs are designed to treat your whole body, not just the symptoms. Our goal is to help you get back to your normal activities and start living free of pain. Reach out to us today. Learn how we can help you get on the road to recovery.
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Treatments Our Doctors Use for Patients with Slip and Fall Injuries
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident, the best thing you can do is to seek medical attention right away. Even if the pain is mild, it’s important to get checked out by a medical doctor and chiropractor who specializes in treating slip and fall patients to prevent further damage.
You may experience that your injury is so severe that it makes it difficult to return to your normal activities. Our team at Naples Community Injury Center will work with you to find the best treatment path for your needs. During the process, you can share your feelings and thoughts on your progress. At any time, we can adjust your treatment program based on your success and needs.
Here’s a list of services our doctors and chiropractor offer slip and fall injury patients:
Chiropractic Care
Our chiropractor for slip and fall injuries in Naples can employ spinal manipulation techniques and other types of chiropractic care to treat slip and fall patients who suffer herniated discs, pinched nerves, and other types of back pain or neck pain.
According to the Journal of Manipulative and Physical Therapeutics, researchers found that patients who sustained cervical herniated discs respond well to this type of treatment.
We can also provide advice on exercise tips to help aid the healing process.
Pain Management
If your injury causes chronic pain, we’ll work with our physicians, who specialize in pain management, to develop an individualized plan for treating symptoms — so that you can get back on track as quickly as possible.
Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation
A physical therapist at our practice will work with you on strengthening exercises to help improve mobility after an injury. They’ll also teach you proper body mechanics to avoid future injuries. Such physiotherapy options we provide include the following:
- Massage therapy
- Resistance training
- Electrical stimulation (ES)
- Gait training
- Muscle energy training (MET)
- Reflex therapy
Our physical therapists will also assess your injuries and create a treatment plan to reduce pain, increase flexibility, and improve coordination and balance. With a physical therapy regimen, you may be able to return to normal activities with no or limited pain.
Neurology
If you suffer from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) after a slip and fall accident, you may need neurological care in Naples, FL. Our neurologist will perform tests, such as electroencephalograms (EEGs) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRIs), that evaluate your brain function. From there, they will create a treatment plan to help you get back on track.
What Patients Say About Their Success With Naples Community Injury Center
We have treated a wide range of patients suffering from debilitating injuries. Hear what some of them have said about the compassionate care we have provided them:
- “NCIC is amazing! The staff is beyond exceptional and understanding. Doctor Nieves knows exactly what he’s doing and aside from a good personality he listens to an individuals and needs and makes sure the needs are met.” — M.R.
- “Super professional and friendly staff. State-of-the-art technology for massages and chiropractic adjustments! Dr Nieves explains the entire procedure to you and makes you feel safe at all times of the treatment! plus they also speak Spanish. 5 star service!” — J.M.
See what we can do to help you eliminate pain and feel stronger. We don’t just treat the symptoms. We believe in a whole-body approach. Call today to schedule your appointment.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries in Naples, Florida
Slip and fall injuries can range from cuts and bruises to broken bones and head injuries. Sadly, these injuries are common, as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that slip and fall injuries account for over 900,000 hospital visits in 2021. While many slip and fall injuries initially seem minor, they could still result in debilitating pain and prolonged medical care, especially if you don’t seek treatment right away.
Some of the most common slip and fall injuries include the following:
Head Injuries
If you hit your head during a fall, you could suffer from a contusion or cuts to your face or scalp. Also, concussions or other traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are quite possible with a hit to the head. You may have sustained a head injury if you’re experiencing:
- Dizziness
- Slurred speech
- Headaches
- Loss of consciousness
- Sleeping too much or too little
- Mood swings
- Nausea and vomiting
- Poor memory and concentration
If you leave it untreated, your condition may worsen, leading to long-lasting, sometimes permanent, damage.
Back and Spine Injuries
The spine consists of vertebrae, which support your body weight and allow you to move freely. It is possible with a slip and fall that you could have a herniated disc, which often leads to back pain after the accident. When you have a back or spine injury, you may experience numbness or tingling sensations down one side of your body (hemiplegia). You may also experience:
- Pain: Your pain could be focused on one area of the back, or you may sense radiating pain down your legs due to your sciatica.
- Weakness: An injury to your back or spine could cause weakness in your arms and legs, leaving you with difficulty with coordination and balance.
- Limited mobility: Due to either pain, weakness, or nerve damage, you may find difficulty standing and walking. You may also have difficulty simply moving your neck or torso.
- Spasms: Injuries can also lead to muscle spasms.
- Bladder/Bowel issues: You may have trouble urinating. You may experience changes in bowel habits or incontinence.
- Physical deformities: Without proper circulation due to nerve damage and other causes, you may have swelling and bruising. The fall could have also caused a misalignment in your spine, leading to many of these other issues.
A thorough examination of your injuries can help us in creating a treatment program that addresses these symptoms while improving your whole-body health.
Broken Bones
Broken bones, especially hip, arm, ankle, and wrist fractures, are one of the most common injuries sustained in a slip and fall. Depending upon your fall and your condition, you may also suffer from a stress fracture, small cracks in your bones that feel tender to the touch.
These injuries can range from minor fractures to more serious ones requiring surgery or other procedures to heal properly. Once healed, muscles may atrophy, and you may require physical therapy to regain strength, flexibility, and mobility.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries are characterized by damage to muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and other body tissues. These injuries can be strains to your ankles, wrists, and other muscles impacted during the fall, such as the back and neck. You tear ligaments in your knees and dislocations in your shoulders and hips. These injuries can cause pain, swelling, numbness, and a limited range of motion.
You may need to undergo surgery to correct some of these injuries and therapy afterward to regain range of motion and strength.
Internal Injuries
During a slip and fall, you may also suffer internal injuries that are not readily apparent. Internal bleeding and organ damage may be obscured, and the true extent of your injuries may require imaging, such as MRI and CT scans.
After any slip and fall, we highly recommend that you see a doctor as soon as possible. Prompt medical attention is crucial for your healthy recovery. When you come to see us, we have the means to provide you with a full physical examination, including scans and tests. We can begin developing a treatment program that best suits your needs. If you choose, we can also provide you with the medical documentation you will need to file a claim for your slip and fall injuries.
To learn more about the treatment options available to you, call Naples Community Injury Center to schedule an appointment.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents
A slip and fall accident can happen at any time and at any place. In many cases, these accidents are completely preventable. However, in our experience as Naples chiropractors for slip and fall injuries, certain situations make it more likely for someone to fall.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents include:
Wet and Uneven Surfaces
Slips and falls are often the result of wet or uneven flooring. A puddle of water or spilled liquid can cause someone to lose their footing, slip, and fall. Uneven surfaces can include cracked or uneven sidewalks, wrinkled carpet, loose tile, and transitions between flooring.
Slippery floors and uneven surfaces can be dangerous, especially for the elderly, who may have trouble maintaining their balance. According to the CDC, there were almost 3 million emergency room visits for adults 65 and older slipping and falling in 2021.
Nursing Home Neglect
It is not uncommon for nursing homes to neglect their patients by failing to properly clean up spills or take other precautions to keep their residents safe. They may not install grab bars or railings next to bathtubs or showers, which means residents might not be able to get out safely. These situations can lead to falls that result in serious injuries requiring treatment to heal properly.
Improper Footwear
People often wear shoes that aren’t appropriate for the weather conditions or the surface they’re walking on. Shoes with no grip or support can be just as hazardous as a slippery floor. For example, restaurants are known for their slippery floors, so staff and even patrons are recommended to wear slip-resistant shoes.
Poor Lighting
Poor lighting can contribute to slip and fall accidents. Poorly lit hallways and stairwells could lead to stepping awkwardly or misjudging where you step. If there isn’t enough light at an intersection, parking lot, sidewalk, or any area where people walk frequently, it’s more likely that someone will trip because they didn’t see an object in the path.
Cluttered Walkways
This particular cause is often seen on construction sites where material, extension cords, and tools are set on the floor, and workers must step over and navigate these obstacles. This cause is not limited to workplaces, of course. Clutter could be packages and boxes left in walkways at home, or children innocently leaving their bikes strewn about a driveway or garage. It may even be the result of furniture placed in a position that restricts the natural flow in the room.
You may also find that your slip and fall could be the result of an unknown health concern. You may be suffering from poor vision, balance problems, dizziness, or muscle fatigue. During your examination with our doctors, you can discuss all the sensations you were experiencing at the time. We can run tests to ascertain if you have a health issue that could be the underlying cause of your fall. From there, we can begin to treat you with a personalized treatment plan.
Contact Naples Community Injury Center After Your Slip and Fall
If you have been hurt in a slip & fall accident in Naples, it is important that you seek medical treatment immediately. Our slip and fall treatment will help alleviate your pain and prevent further damage. Our doctors are well-versed in different treatment options for various injuries.
Call Naples Community Injury Center today to schedule your first appointment.
