Class 4 Laser Therapy

Dr. True has provided back and neck pain relief for more than 10 years in the Treasure Coast area using laser therapy in conjunction with chiropractic care. Whether you are in agonizing pain or are just beginning to notice symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. True to see if laser therapy can help relieve your pain.  Class 4 laser therapy is different from “cold laser” therapy.  Higher power lasers generate a greater intensity of light that penetrates deeper than cold lasers.  Class 4 therapy lasers generate soothing, gentle warmth that accelerates tissue healing and treats deep musculoskeletal pain.  There is an overwhelming volume of research over the last twenty years that supports the benefits of laser therapy for musculoskeletal injury recovery.

Biological Effects of Laser Therapy

1. Improves Healing – Laser therapy has been demonstrated in multiple research studies to promote cellular repair and healing.
2. Reduces Pain – Laser therapy has demonstrated effectiveness for the reduction of pain in many double blind scientific studies. This pain relief includes knee pain, shoulder pain, neck pain, back pain and sciatica.
3. Improves Blood Flow – Laser therapy increases the formation of new capillaries (angiogenesis) in damaged tissues. This is one of the mechanisms of accelerated healing following treatment with laser therapy.
4. Increases Flexibility – Laser therapy relaxes overly tight muscles because of the increase of blood flow to muscles by the action of laser light.
5. Reduces Inflammation – Laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect on injured tissues. Infrared laser therapy will inhibit the biochemicals associated the tissue inflammation such as prostaglandin-E and tumor necrosis factor-A
6. Increases Cellular Metabolic Activity – Laser therapy stimulates the mitochondria within cells to increase energy production.
7. Improves Nerve Healing – Infrared laser has been shown to speed healing of peripheral nerve injuries. It also helps to preserve nerve function and helps accelerates the process of nerve cell regeneration.
8. Improves Lymphatic Flow – Laser therapy has been shown to increase lymphatic drainage, lymphangiogenesis, and macrophage activity. This positive action may soften fibrotic tissues, thereby improving contractility in the tissues that assist with lymph transport through the lymphatic vessels.

Treatment for Auto Accidents

We understand that you may have had injuries in the past that have healed in just a few days. However, auto injuries can subject your spine to significant whiplash forces causing long term injuries such as herniated discs and spinal degeneration. Even small impacts under 20 miles per hour may result in injuries that take months or years for recovery.  If you are having pain following a motor vehicle accident, it’s important that you seek professional attention as soon as possible.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. True to evaluate any pain or symptoms that occurred after the accident.  Why live with the pain and stiffness after an accident?  Treatment often provides tremendous relief.

What causes whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when muscles, ligaments and joint structures in your neck are stretched or torn following a rapid deceleration-acceleration of the head, neck and torso.  Rear-impact car accidents are the most common causes of whiplash, resulting from the head being suddenly and violently jerked forward and back.  Reports show that over 2.4 million automobile accident related injuries occur each year in the USA.  In fact, we know that this number would be substantially larger if all whiplash injuries were reported.  This number may be vastly underreported because of misattribution, delayed onset of symptoms and under recognition of initial injuries.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

Symptoms of whiplash vary depending on severity, but the most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and discomfort in the neck, back, jaw, or shoulders, as well as frequent headaches and blurred vision.  Pain or numbness in the arms and legs following a car accident may indicate a more severe type of spinal injury such as a disc herniation.

Can whiplash heal on its own?

As the old saying goes, “time heals all wounds”.  Occasionally, this saying can be applied to mild cases of whiplash, but when it comes to moderate or severe whiplash, it is always best to seek the advice of a chiropractic physician.  If treatment is delayed or avoided, more serious complications can occur.

I was just in a car accident; when should I go see a chiropractic physician?

We recommend that you schedule an appointment to see Dr. True as soon as you can.  Although your damaged car may need repair, minor auto damage can be put off without much consequence, your body, on the other hand, needs immediate attention if musculoskeletal injury is present.  Early treatment may prevent a long term spinal impairment from developing or prevent the intensification of pain.

I already went to the emergency room, why should I go to a chiropractic physician too?

It is always a wise decision to pursue medical attention directly after an automobile accident. But, as is the case with many auto accident injuries, neck and back symptoms may not be immediately apparent. Emergency room doctors are more concerned with life threating injuries, broken bones and internal bleeding. Unless you saw an orthopedic surgeon in the emergency room, most ER doctors are not musculoskeletal experts or trained in evaluation of sprain strain injuries to the spine.  Chiropractic physicians are experts in the treatment of whiplash type injuries.  Because symptoms usually intensify after an accident, it is important to schedule an appointment with Dr. True as soon as possible so he can address problems that will occur days or weeks after the incident.

Does my auto insurance cover my medical bills with a chiropractic physician?

Yes if you have Florida PIP auto insurance, then 80% of usual and customary charges are covered up to $2500.  If you have an emergency medical condition (EMC) than your benefits extend to $10,000.  However, you cannot make a claim for auto insurance benefits if you have not seen a doctor before 14 days after the motor vehicle accident.  It is extremely important for you to get evaluated immediately by a chiropractic physician or medical professional if you have any pain, discomfort or stiffness before 14 days lapse after the accident, or you will not be entitled to your insurance benefits.

Spinal Manipulation

Spinal manipulation is a type of treatment performed by chiropractic physicians and some osteopaths. Spinal manipulation is also called a chiropractic adjustment.  It is the perfect technique for those suffering from chronic back and neck pain as well as many other serious spinal conditions.  This treatment is performed by highly trained chiropractic physicians. Although some patients may not be a candidate for spinal manipulation, this should only be determined by a chiropractic physician and not someone untrained in chiropractic technique.  If you have been suffering from severe back or neck pain and feel like nothing you’ve tried in the past has worked, Dr. Jerry True may have a solution.

Why does the spine get out of alignment?

The spine is comprised of moveable segments called vertebra.  When there is a slight misalignment of the articular joint surfaces of the spine, it produces pain and dysfunction.  The effects of prior injuries, lack of exercise, poor posture, gravity, and repetitive microtraumas all lead to spinal misalignments and spinal degeneration.  This pain and dysfunction can usually be corrected with a specific vertebral manipulation or adjustment and professional oversight from Dr. True to improve your health through diet, exercise and wellness advice.