Chiropractors/whiplash?

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Expert: Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman - 4/21/2008


Question
I was rear-ended 11/02/07. The car behind hit me, and a car hit the car behind me. I felt two impacts. I went to the doctor was sent to physical therapy. Unable to pay the $500.00 deductible, I went as best I could. I have been three times. I am experiencing spasms and tingling down my right breast bone now. The tingling was going down my right arm, but has changed. My doctor said if the pt did not help I should go to a specialist. The pain is pretty bad, I cannot take off work. The insurance repaired my car and will not pay for my bill until its over. Should I see a chiropractor? I had great experience with one when a doctor recommended back surgery or shots at 100.00 each. I am 64, and I was looking over my right shoulder when the impact happened. I am an elementary school teacher.

Answer
Dear Bobbie,

I would recommend that you seek out the care of a qualified chiropractic physician to manage your injuries, but only if they do in office rehab as well.  Rear impact vectored collisions can cause a discernable amount of damage to the ligaments, disk and cartilage along the joint spaces, as well as damage the nerve roots.  The fact that you were looking over your shoulder when the impact occurred has been shown to carry a worse prognosis for recovery as well as the fact that you are past middle age.  I would recommend that you ask the chiropractor about their individual training, and make sure that they have attended post graduate level coursework on vehicle injuries and whiplash mechanisms...ask for proof!  Better yet check out www.srisd.com for more information, you can look up qualified doctors in your state there too.

I would also make sure that you contact an attorney for representation so that the insurance company does not take advantage of you...they could care less if your are hurt or not and only care about their bottom line.  The only reason they will not cover your bills until the treatment has been rendered is because they know that many people cannot afford treatment on their own, therefore they will just not go, and this lowers the insurance companies end financial responsibility.  Make sure that you interview a few of them and only ones that are solely personal injury attorneys.

I have an abundance of extra literature on rear impact vectored collisions, mechanism of injury, treatment protocols, and proper documentation of research that refutes the inability to be injured (usually propaganda disseminated by the insurance companies), and I would be more than happy to send it to you.  Just send a request to my office e-mail (off my website) and I will make sure that you get it.

Hope everything works out for you Bobbie.

Respectfully,
Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman
www.suncoasthealthcare.net

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Dr. J. Shawn Leatherman

Expertise

I can answer questions on general chiropractic care, sports injury, whiplash and auto crash, mild traumatic brain injury, structural and functional rehabilitation of the spine, nutrition for inflammation and repair, fitness training, nutrition for sports performance and other general health and nutrition related inquiries. I currently lecture on automobile trauma, occupant kinematics, and forensic risk analysis to local EMS, Fire and Police, as well as nutrition and sports injury to community groups. Rest assured all answers are generated from my clinical experience, and scientific research.

Experience

I have accumulated over 1100 hours of post-doctoral training to include; Certifications in Spinal Trauma and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma from the International Chiropractic Association, Certification in Low Speed Auto Crash Reconstruction and Certification in Forensic Risk Analysis from The Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Certified Proficiency in spinal and extremity diagnostic procedures from The Motion Palpation Institute, Certified in Sports Injury and Rehabilitation from the National University of Health Sciences and The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, Nationally Certified Fellow of Structural Rehabilitation from The Chiropractic Biophysics Organization, and I have advanced training in manipulation under anesthesia and nutrition. Feel free to check out my website for course listings: www.suncoasthealthcare.net

Organizations
International Chiropractic Association, Florida Chiropractic Association, American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians, American Academy of Pain Management, Chiropractic Biophysics, Spine Research Institute of San Diego, Center for Research Into Automotive Safety and Health, Motion Palpation Organization, American Academy of Manual and Physical Medicine, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce

Education/Credentials
B.A. (Psychology)The University of Cincinnati B.S. (Human Biology)Cleveland Chiropractic College D.C. (Doctor of Chiropractic) Cleveland Chiropractic College C.C.S.T. (Certification in Chiropractic Spinal Trauma)The International Chiropractic Association C.C.S.P. (Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician)The American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians. *CCST and CCSP 120 hour certification courses are not recognized by the Florida Chiropractic Board due to the fact that they are not 300 hour diplomate level courses*

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