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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

I never thought of myself as an addict, but I did end up addicted to anti-anxiety medication after developing Generalized Anxiety Disorder. At some point, the medicine stopped being a way to deal with the nervousness and panic attacks, and became something my body craved. I knew that I needed help fast. Fortunately, a local drug rehab program includes support for people like me. They helped me wean off the medication, use methods like massage therapy to help my nerves heal, and even provided ongoing counseling for our family. I don't know how I would have made it without their help. If you suspect that your medication has crossed the line from being helpful to hurtful, take heart. Let me tell you about my journey out of addiction and back to wholeness.

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Recovering from Addiction to Prescription Medications

Rehabilitation Services Generally Are The Best Treatments For Whiplash Condition Once A Diagnosis Is Confirmed

by Valerie Stevens

When you suffer whiplash injuries following an automobile accident, it is a profoundly disabling pain-in-the-neck condition. Whiplash is a head and neck injury that results from a sudden acceleration and deceleration movement that thrusts your head and neck in a jolting backward and forward movement. It's also possible for you to suffer this type of injury if you're dealt a violent blow to your head that's not related to an auto accident. Generally, rehabilitation services are the best treatment for whiplash injuries.

At-Home Remedy

Since whiplash pain might not materialize the minute you suffer the injury, you can take steps to apply at-home treatment while you're arranging a doctor's visit. Use an ice pack on the injury site. That application will decrease swelling and inflammation. If you don't have an ice pack, simply wrap some ice cubes in a towel or place the ice cubes in a plastic bag and seal the bag. Wrap a towel around the bag. Do not leave the ice treatment on the injury site for more than 5 to 10 minutes. You can also use a heating pad treatment in between the icing treatments.

Whiplash Symptoms

Symptoms of a whiplash incident include increasing pain, stiffness, and tenderness. You'll predictably develop a reduced range of motion at the injury site. Your spine, at the point of the injury impact, hyperflexes and falls into a position of hyperextension. The spine's hyperextension is responsible for your now-restricted neck and head range of motion movement. You could also show symptoms of base-of-the-skull headaches that radiate into your forehead. This pain could extend into your arm as well. The impact of the blow to your head and neck determines the type of symptoms you are likely to develop. Be aware of symptoms like numbness and tingling, which you should immediately report to your physician.

Head And Neck Exam

It's left up to your physician to conduct a physical head and neck examination. That examination defines whether further treatment is required. The physician may recommend that you undergo MRI imaging, a CT scan, or X-ray testing. Most of the time though, referral for physiotherapy is indicated for treating whiplash incidents.

Physical Therapy Evaluation And Treatment

A physical therapist usually evaluates your condition at the time of your first visit. You'll be offered pain relief with the use of high-tech ultrasound technology, which is very effective. Manual massage and manipulations are used to address tightened muscles. Neck muscles are strengthened as they are manipulated by your PT professional. You'll find out that strengthening of your neck muscles puts you on a fast-track healing of your whiplash condition. There are also exercises that will be applied, and you'll be told to perform some of the exercises at home.

For more information and options, talk with a medical center that offers whiplash rehabilitation, such as Hiler Chiropractic and Vax-D Decompression Center.

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