Workplace injuries can have short- and long-term consequences for your health and comfort. If you’ve sustained a workplace injury in Atlanta, GA , seeking medical treatment for this injury can speed your recovery and prevent long-term disability or chronic pain. Even if you are still waiting for information from your employer regarding compensation for treatment or missed days of work, it’s best not to wait to seek medical treatment for a workplace injury. During your first medical appointment, bring any emergency room records or other treatment records associated with your case. If you were in an automobile or transportation accident, police documentation of the accident is beneficial to bring as well. Finally, if your employer offers disability or other injury compensation or care, you should bring the documents outlining this program, even if you haven’t yet confirmed your eligibility or are waiting for answers. All of this information, together with the results from your medical exam and treatment, may be used to file a worker’s compensation claim to ensure you can afford the medical care you need.

Auto accidents are a common everyday occurrence—in fact, most auto insurance companies assume the average person will file an accident claim once every 17.9 years. While most auto accidents are minor, they can still lead to serious injuries that may temporarily or permanently cause pain or affect mobility. If you have a loved one suffering from symptoms such as head or back pain after a car accident in Atlanta, GA, it’s important to pursue the right tools and resources for a healthy and full recovery.

Seek Medical Help

Auto accidents are frequently associated with many types of injuries. While some injuries are immediately visible, such as bruises, cuts, or broken limbs, some auto accident injuries are invisible, such as sprains, strains, and joint damage. Even if your loved one seems healthy and well after an accident, prompting him to undergo a professional medical exam is the best way to ensure that no hidden injuries exist. Especially if your loved one complains of soreness, stiffness, headaches, or back pain in the hours, days or weeks after an accident, a professional medical assessment is needed to ensure a diagnosis is made and care is administered.

Provide Emotional Support

An auto accident can be a frightening or disturbing experience, even when it is minor. Your loved one may avoid or show nervousness when driving or riding in a car for several days or weeks after the accident. Providing emotional support to your loved one during this time is important; keep in mind that there is no right or wrong way to feel after an accident, and that feelings of fear or hesitation are normal. However, some feelings of anxiety, fear, and stress can interfere with normal daily functioning—this may be a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder. If your loved one continues to suffer feelings or flashbacks that interrupt his daily life or still feels anxiety and fear more than two months after the accident, it’s best to seek the help of a professional for treatment.

The spine provides structural support and flexibility to the torso, neck, and head. However, this vital component of the body can be easily injured by the forces exerted on the body in an automobile accident. If you have suffered a whiplash injury in Atlanta, GA, it’s important to seek the help of a medical professional to assess the extent if your car accident injury , especially if you develop chronic pain.

Cervical Facet Syndrome Basics

The interlocking bones in the spine, called vertebrae, are connected by facet joints. These joints are supported by cartilage that allows the spine to twist and flex easily. Cervical facet syndrome is characterized by deterioration of the facet joints, which can lead to chronic pain. Also called cervical osteoarthritis, this condition often occurs as a natural result of aging. However, trauma and injury to the spine, such as the type of trauma associated with automobile accidents, can also damage these joints and cause cervical facet syndrome at any age. Cervical facet syndrome typically causes localized joint pain, neck stiffness or soreness that may limit mobility, and headaches.

Cervical Facet Syndrome and Whiplash

A whiplash injury is a common car accident injury that occurs most often during rear-end collisions. During such a collision, the body, neck, and head are jarred suddenly, which puts excess strain on the spine and soft tissues of the neck, causing damage to these structures. With proper medical care, most individuals with whiplash injuries can recover fully within three to twelve months of their accident. However, if whiplash is severe or left untreated, it may lead to cervical facet syndrome. This occurs when the injury affects not only the soft tissues that support the spine, but the facet joints within the spine as well.

Cervical facet syndrome is one of the leading causes of chronic neck pain after auto accidents. If you have recently suffered an auto accident injury, it’s vital to seek a medical assessment to determine the extent of your injury. With proper diagnosis and pain management care, you can prevent or minimize both short- and long-term pain.