QUESTION: Heat vs. ice??

The answer, for the most part is easy. In the early phase of injury you need to decrease inflammation. Ice causes the muscles surrounding arteries (the tubes taking blood from the heart to the injured part of the body) to contract, reducing the diameter of arteries- thus reducing blood flow. Ice also provides a numbing of the area on which it is applied. We typically use ice for the first 3-10 days following injury or after the inception of care.

Heat causes increased blood flow which is often needed later in the healing phase to promote more nutrition to the injured area. We can begin using heat 2 months after injury or for the management of chronic, achy pain. Flare-ups of "old" symptoms are usually treated with ice, as flare-ups are considered "new". Veins are not surrounded by expanding or constricting muscles, so if you use heat you create more blood flow that cannot leave the injured area because the diameter of veins don't change.

QUESTION: How do I pay for injuries sustained in a personal injury (i.e. car accidents).

All auto insurers offer medical payment coverage that you can purchase with your coverage. This is very inexpensive and covers all costs (ambulance, doctor visits, medicines, and yes, chiropractic care. All patient's are encouraged to purchase at least $ 2,000.00. My wife and I carry this coverage in addition to our private insurance as it takes care of co-payments, and special tests (i.e, MRI scans) that may be necessary. The cost is only $ 18.00/year. Additionally many of you have a limit cap on chiropractic care which poses an additional question- why use your capped visits when there is additional coverage that may pay for visits related to an accident, thus allowing you to save your private visits. Lastly we offer care protected by an assignment agreement. We are willing to defer payment of your bills until your care is completed so long as we have a lien/assignment agreement recognized by an attorney or the insurance company ultimately responsible for a settlement. Please remember, however, that all bills are ultimately the final responsibility of the patient. securing final payment is your obligation, not ours. I believe you can see now why it is very important to purchase Medical Payment coverage as part of your automobile insurance coverage.

QUESTION: Hard mattress or soft? Are waterbeds okay for my back?

In general, the firmest comfortable mattress you can find is best. Remember to at least rotate and turn the mattress over per the designer's specifications. All beds have different recommendations on when and how often to turn them. While some mattress are advertised that they don't need to be turned, I don't believe it will last as long if you don't turn it over. If you are waking up sore, try placing a 1/2-3/4" sheet of plywood under the mattress. If this helps you, leave it in place 2-3 weeks. Too long and it can cause subtle damage to the mattress. If you remove the board and your pain returns again, replace the plywood for an additional 2-3 weeks, repeating the cycle as needed. Waterbeds are better now-a-days and provide more complete support. Personally, I feel that if the bed is firm but comfortable any type of bedding is okay.