Acute Pain Characteristics

We’ve all experienced different levels of pain. Acute pain, however, is a type of pain that typically lasts less than three to six months, or pain that is directly related to soft tissue damage, such as a sprained ankle or even a paper cut. Acute pain is normal and it warns you that you’ve been injured. It has the ability to start suddenly but usually doesn’t last long. If you are experiencing acute back in your back or your neck, you may just need a chiropractic adjustment from one of our doctors at Bergen Physical Medicine.  

The main characteristic to remember about acute pain is that it doesn’t last long. For example, if you burn yourself on the stove, the pain usually lasts up to a few days, if not a few hours. When the injury heals and you continue having pain beyond the time of expected recovery, that is when pain becomes chronic and that is what you want to avoid. Chronic pain can last for weeks, months, even years. This is why it’s important to let us know if your pain is lasting longer than expected.

If you are experiencing acute pain in your neck or back, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

Degenerative Disc Disease

Degenerative disc disease is very common as we age. Sometimes it causes pain, while other times there are no symptoms at all. So, what is it? Well, here at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, we intend to explain it.

First, it will help to know more about the spinal structures that are involved. A spinal disc is a cushion that is between each of the individual vertebrae in the spine. Spinal discs absorb shock and help with spinal movement. They are rubbery, disc-shaped, and have a soft center. As we age, our discs can begin to degenerate. The outer layer can become tougher, less flexible, and can develop tiny cracks. This can cause herniated discs, bulging discs, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.  A herniated disc is when some of that softer center part bulges out through a small tear in the tougher, rubbery outer layer. A bulging disc is when the tougher outer layer of the disc extends past where it should. Osteoarthritis is the breakdown of the cartilage between the vertebrae. Spinal stenosis is the narrowing of the spinal canal which holds the spinal cord. Each different condition can cause symptoms ranging from pain to numbness in a limb, to tingling, to nerve disruption. Symptoms can be mild or severe.

Chiropractic treatment for disc degeneration may include spinal adjustments, physical therapy, and spinal decompression among other forms of treatment deemed necessary by your chiropractor. Patients usually find quick relief from pain and other symptoms once their body is aligned.

To schedule an appointment with Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call our office at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice and the services we provide may be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com. 

The Three Collisions in a Car Accident

There are many different types of injuries that can occur during a car accident. Because some of them are not obvious or apparent, it is important to seek an evaluation from a chiropractor. Here at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, we can perform an examination following an accident to be sure there are no hidden injuries that need treatment.

When the human body goes through trauma, it releases endorphins, our natural pain reliever. Because these endorphins can be present for months following an accident, it can be responsible for covering up injuries. A common injury to show up days, weeks, or even months later, is whiplash. Keep reading to learn more about how the body reacts during a crash.

Three Collisions

There are three collisions in a car accident. The first collision happens when the car hits the object that is stopping its motion; whether it is another car, a tree, a pole, etc.

The second collision happens inside of the vehicle. This happens when a passenger hits the steering wheel, their seatbelt, the windshield, etc.

The third (and less obvious) collision happens inside of a person’s body. When the body comes to a stop because it has hit the windshield, seatbelt, etc., the organs and structures inside of the body still move forward until they crash into something else in the body and stop. This could be the heart crashing into the ribcage, the brain crashing into the skull, or the spine jolting forward or backward in the body. Because these injuries may be unseen or hidden by endorphins, it is vital to be examined by a chiropractor as soon as possible following a car accident.

If you have recently been in a car accident, or suspect you are suffering injuries caused by an accident in the past, be sure to come see us. To schedule an appointment at Bergen Physical Medicine in Fairview, NJ, call us at (201) 945-9993. More information about our practice can be found on our website, www.bergenphysicalmedicine.com.