The Law Offices Of William F. Underwood - March 2023

PT CAN TREAT CHRONIC HEADACHES A PAIN IN THE WHAT?

We all experience headaches now and then, and we usually consider them a mild problem, easily handled with over-the- counter medications. But when headaches become chronic, they can upend a person’s life. Perhaps surprisingly, physical therapy can help in many cases. After determining the type of headaches a person is experiencing, a qualified physical therapist can often construct a treatment plan to reduce the pain and improve a patient’s quality of life. Tension headaches are the most common cause of head pain, and many believe they are caused solely by stress or anxiety. But while your emotional state can undoubtedly contribute to the intensity of a headache, your neck muscles are the real culprit.

Neck muscles just beneath the base of your skull can spasm when placed under stress by poor posture, osteoarthritis, or injury. The spasms initiate a tugging movement, which causes irritation and leads to a pounding or aching sensation in the head. The amount of stress on the muscles may seem small — like working at a computer or frequently looking down at your cellphone — but it can significantly impact your ability to comfortably complete daily tasks. Cervicogenic headaches are another common type of headache that originates in the neck, this time in the upper spine. Damage to the spine’s nerves, discs, and joints can cause pain that spreads upwards. While these headaches often start as occasional events, they can become more frequent with time.

Since musculoskeletal issues cause these headaches, physical therapy can help relieve the strain. Depending on your specific condition, your physical therapist may work with you to improve your neck mobility, strength, or posture. With better spine alignment, tension and cervicogenic headaches typically become less frequent. Meanwhile, myofascial release therapy can help loosen your muscles to reduce the impact of a headache. Physical therapy cannot treat every type of headache, but it can probably help more than you imagine. For example, physical therapy techniques can help lessen pain during a migraine, and manual therapy may help treat cluster headaches. Your physical therapist will also refer you to another health care provider if physical therapy is insufficient to address the problem. In the end, you’ve got nothing to lose by trying physical therapy — except, perhaps, your chronic head pain.

BRAIN INJURIES CAN OCCUR AT ANY TIME Even if You Didn’t Hit Your Head!

thoughts and sentences, memory loss, sensory issues, and nausea.

Moderate to severe symptoms include clear fluid draining from your ears or nose, dilated pupils in one or both eyes, depression, nausea and vomiting, difficulty speaking or walking, confusion, and combative behavior. Keep in mind that it can take days, weeks, or even months for some of these symptoms to appear. If you were in an accident and received injuries, it’s best to consult medical professionals and a personal injury attorney (like us!) for the actions you should take moving forward. You could be compensated for economic, noneconomic, and punitive damages. We here at the Law Office of William F. Underwood would be happy to review your case, guide you in the right direction, and get you the compensation you deserve. While no amount of money will make your injuries or experience disappear, it can help provide some cushion for the financial hardships you may face.

Did you know more than 28,000 brain injury cases are reported each year in Georgia? Brain injuries can occur during various activities, such as motor vehicle crashes, slips and falls, bicycle accidents, and recreational sports. However, some people may think they will only receive a brain injury if they hit their heads, but that’s not the case. You can be in any accident and still cause harm to your brain. For example, let’s say you were driving your car at 55 mph and someone pulled out in front of you. When your vehicle hits their car, you will come to a complete stop. While you may not hit your head, the sudden shift in speed from 55 to 0 can cause your brain to push against the side of your skull.

Unfortunately, brain injury symptoms can occur in the future — perhaps after your case is settled. That’s why it’s imperative to work with a seasoned personal injury attorney who can help you take the proper steps to ensure you don’t have any underlying damage and get the compensation you deserve. In honor of March being Brain Injury Awareness Month, here are some signs to look out for if you believe you've suffered head trauma due to an accident.

Common Symptoms

For mild head injuries, you could experience issues with coordination, excessive sleep, changes in mood, difficulty creating

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