Have You Been In an Auto Accident in Southwest Florida? Information You Need Now

car accident fort myers

car accident fort myersIf you have been involved in an car accident it can be a hectic and confusing time. In Florida, you only have 14 days to start treatment in order to claim coverage under your PIP rider on your auto insurance. The #1 car accident related issues is whiplash followed closely by other soft tissue injuries.

Of course, going to the ER to get fully checked out is a very good idea, but soon after please come see us at the office of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates. Chiropractic care is one of the most effective treatments in realigning the body so that you can begin to heal properly following a crash.

Call our office for a consultation. We will discuss what your injuries are, what the course of treatment would be, and how your treatment will be paid for. We do all of the insurance paperwork, so you do not have to.

Kaster Chiropractic over the years formed community partnerships with other physicians and specialists who treat and accept automobile injury patients. This referral is incredibly helpful and time saving. This includes diagnostic facilities, neurologists, attorneys, MRIs, orthopedics, and even car repair facilities.

Injuries can happen even in slow crashes of just 5-10 mph. The higher the speed the greater the impact the more likely you have more severe injuries. The day of the accident your body will try its best to protect you, flooding your system with adrenalin and dopamine. You may not feel like you have been injured until the next day or so. Never make any statements to the insurance company on either side right away and it is best advised to speak with a lawyer first as well.

The sooner you seek chiropractic intervention the faster your body can begin to heal back into proper position. In order for healing to be completely correct your body needs to be realigned and holding no subluxations.

We are here for you. Give us a call at 239-332-2555 and we will get you in the schedule as quickly as possible and get you on the road to recovery, back home and resting. www.kasterchriopractic.com to learn more. If you are in the Fort Myers area, we suggest being proactive. Install our app on your cell and should an accident occur we are only one click away. http://drkasters.com/web-app-download/

I Was in a Car Crash. Do I Have Whiplash?

whiplash car accident fort myers dr kaster

whiplash car accident fort myers dr kasterAre you experiencing whiplash symptoms following a car accident? If so, the sooner you seek treatment, the better your outcome is likely to be. Whiplash injuries can last for years so do not wait.

Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs in people who are a subjected to a sudden acceleration-deceleration force resulting in an unrestrained, rapid movement of the head and neck, which is propelled forward and backward within a split second.

This type of injury usually happens during auto accidents, but there are other possible scenarios that might result in it.

The bones and soft tissues around the neck can potentially be damaged during this type of incident. This may reflect on the physical body in the form of chronic pains with varying degrees of severity.

The good news is whiplash is not a life-threatening injury. The only problem is, if not treated early enough, there might be both physical and economic consequences on the person affected. Here are a few critical facts you need to know about whiplash.

  1. Speeds less than 5mph may be enough to cause a whiplash.

According to a research conducted on low-speed rear impact, it was concluded that one does not need to move at high speed for a whiplash to occur. The results from the test showed that even at a speed of 2.5 mph, 29% of people involved in car accidents can still develop symptoms related to whiplash.

  1. Pain isn’t the only symptom

Most people suffering from whiplash will complain about neck pain, shoulder pain, fatigue, headache, jaw pain, dizziness, visual disturbance and back pain.

In severe cases, the patient may end up depressed, frustrated, anxious and stressed. Because of the chronic pain, certain individuals may become dependent on drugs.

  1. Rest may make you feel worse

After a whiplash incident, you may think that resting for a few days might relieve the pain. Research suggests otherwise. By allowing your affected neck muscles and soft tissues to rest, they may stiffen, which can only result in a slower healing process.

The best would be to return your usual daily activities even if you still feel moderate pain. Many studies have shown that the earlier you get back to your daily activities, the quicker you are going to heal. However, if the pain is severe, please consult your doctor immediately.

  1. X-rays may not reveal a fracture.

A powerful rear-end collision that occurs in a car moving at a high speed can potentially result in the fracture of the bones in the neck. Nevertheless, most cases of whiplashes are usually negative for fractures when x-rayed. Because there is no sign of any physical injury, insurance companies may be reluctant to cover your medical bills for a pain that only you claim exist.

However, a common finding that is usually associated with whiplash is the straightening of the cervical curve. This is usually caused by muscle spasm resulting from the shock from the rear-end collision and may explain the pain. Depending on the circumstances, the straightening of the cervical curve may be enough for you to request for an insurance coverage.

  1. Whiplash can be caused by more than auto accidents.

Even though usually associated to car crashes, whiplashes can occur in other incidents including falling or slipping. Extreme sports that require the participants to perform acrobatic movement can potentially cause a whiplash. Even people involved in activities like soccer, basketball and boxing can end up with a whiplash.

  1. Chiropractic care CAN help.

Chiropractors have the necessary expertise to treat many of the injuries associated with the spinal cord.
During your visit, a thorough examination will be performed and if necessary, you will be requested to take an x-ray or any other scan to see through the neck. After the diagnosis, the chiropractor will provide treatment for both the injured vertebrae and the soft tissues around the neck. He will also make recommendations on what you can do to ease the pain when at home or at work.

Treatment can last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months depending on the severity of injury, and in the State of Florida your PIP coverage will cover medical expenses, including chiropractic and certain types of massage, up to $10,000.

Remember, it’s a bad idea to suffer through the pain hoping that it will eventually go away on its own. The best is to see a highly trained professional that can assist you. If you or anyone you know is suffering from whiplash trauma, please call Dr. Kester’s office today for a consultation.

Dr. Kaster works in conjunction with other physicians and professionals in the community who treat and serve auto accident patients. As a Chiropractor, he is trained to treat joint, muscle and ligament injuries, and thus well-qualified to manage the victims of auto accidents. His primary role is to keep the facet joints mobilized, enhance optimal healing by treating muscles and ligaments, and reducing the likelihood of permanent pain.

239-332-2555

Chronic Back Pain Help from Chiropractic Care

One of the most often asked questions we get from patients with lower back pain is “how long do you think it could be before I feel better?”

That’s a very fair question. Healing and becoming pain free are the ultimate outcome here after all. For acute low back pain 2 to 4 weeks is standard. This encompasses 6 to 12 sessions in that time frame.

The initial treatment is the passive phase. Adjustments are done and the patient remains at rest using ice, heat, ultrasound, traction, and massage. The patient is not given any exercises at this point to strengthen the back muscles.

The second part of the treatment is what is known as the active phase. Exercises are added in at home to increase function and strength. This helps get you back to your daily life. Muscle supports the spine so the more muscle you have the better your spine and adjustments will hold in place.

Most patients with acute back pain (sudden onset) have symptoms that resolve in the first 4 weeks. Some patients though do go on to the level of chronic back pain lasting more than 12 weeks. If that is the case, you may have reached a healing plateau.

If the pain is mild to severe a patient may still need 1-6 visits for an episode. Rarely patients need ongoing care of 1 to 4 visits per month.

Generally back pain will subside over time with treatment. We have had great success over the years with our patients here in Fort Myers, Florida.

Living with chronic low back pain is a challenge, but chiropractors want to stress to patients that self-therapy is an important part of pain management. This can include rehabilitation and range-of-motion exercises.

Make sure to communicate all of your symptoms as well as what you are doing at home to help when you meet with your Chiropractor. That way you will get the best most effective care possible.

Give the office a call to schedule your visit. 239-332-2555. Visit: www.drkasters.com to learn more!

Chiropractic| Nutrition in Ft Myers, FL.

Fort Myers Chiropractor, Dr. Jason B. KasterChiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Kaster Chiropractic and Associates – Chiropractic and nutrition in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.

www.kasterchriopractic.com
239-332-2555

We Hold Stress In Our Bodies – Reduce Stress Be Healthier

stress-covid-coronavirus-health-dr-kaster-fort-myers-fl

stress-covid-coronavirus-health-dr-kaster-fort-myers-flYour body can only handle so much stress before illness sets in

2020 Has been one awfully stress filled year so far. It is more important than ever for all of us to take the time to care for ourselves.

This pandemic has all of us thrown off our schedules and normal ways of life. It is incredibly taxing on the body as well as the mind.

Here are a few ideas 

Pause what you are doing and breathe. The fact is that when you rush around and have elevated anxiety levels you aren’t breathing deeply, especially if you live in a city where masks have been mandated. If that is the case and you are wearing a mask, please take this suggestion seriously. Take a minute, sit down, breathe into the count of 4 and out to the count of 4 through your nose. Close your eyes and repeat 4 times (minimum). Do this several times per day. Your body needs oxygen.

Say No – It is ok to say “No”. Never overextend yourself. This is the #1 reason people are stressed out. They feel they need to help everyone all the time no matter what is asked or how inconvenient.

Keep to Do Lists. The physical act of making a list helps to organize your thoughts and get you ready to accomplish tasks. As you finish each item remove it from your list. The more you get crossed off the better you will feel. And on that last mark off, give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back. Listing also eliminates that dreaded feeling of “I have forgotten something.”

Focus on Gratitude – It’s easy to get riled up… all it takes is one rogue news story hitting your eyes or ears by way of tv, radio, internet, or conversation. Driving can also be very anxiety provoking. Step back and make a list of things you have in your world to be thankful for. What brings you joy?

Be Generous with your time – Giving is energy exchange. It makes you feel good and it helps others. Volunteer or just do a nice gesture for other people, strangers included, now and than.

Do something nice for yourself – Get a massage or a chiropractic adjustment. Both boost mood, health, and overall wellness.

We are all in this together. So, lets take care of each other. Remind each other that while its lovely to help others, you have to take care of yourself first or there will eventually be nothing left to give.

Chiropractic, Nutrition, & Massage Therapy in Ft Myers, FL

Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent it as soon as possible?

Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. Fort Myers, FL

Dr. Jason B. Kaster of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates is a chiropractor in Fort Myers, Florida. They can help you and your family achieve their optimal health through nutrition, mas.

      SCHEDULE NOW!   239-332-2555    

Get Back in the Swing of Things at the Gym, The Right Way

gym-exercise-health-kaster-chiropractic-fort-myers

Most of us have been out of the loop spending too much time just relaxing on the couch. 

This means less physical activity leading to slowed metabolisms, weight gain or loss, stiffer muscles and joints, and even possibly aches and pains surfacing.

Now that some gyms are opening again, you may be ready to get right back to it. Please use some caution. A body at rest wants to stay at rest, even if your mind is raring to go. Your physical self needs some time to warm back up. Go slowly.

Do not go back in on day one and try to pick up right where you left off. Start out slow and light. Ease up to where you were over a one to two week period. Failing to do so can land you right back at home on the couch with an injury. Pulled muscles, strains, sprains, and just simply overusing unworked muscles, tendons, and ligaments can be the result of too hard too fast.

Be easy on yourself. This time off was not your doing or fault. We all collectively had to take a break. Begin by stretching! Then move on to starting out with slower speeds on machines like treadmills and stair masters at reduced levels and on free weights and nautilus machines it is best to start what feels like ridiculously light doing high reps and move up in weight from there reducing down to your normal sets.

Make sure to drink lots of water to properly hydrate, eat well, get the rest you need to recover after a workout, and if you have access consider the sauna or hot tub to ease sore muscles.

Before you start back getting a chiropractic adjustment to make sure you are in alignment is a fantastic idea. In order for your body mechanics to work at full function, you need to be in alignment. Building muscle while pulling weight wrong can cause more damage than good.

The office of Dr. Jason Kaster – Kaster Chiropractic and Associates welcomes you to schedule your pre-workout adjustment to make sure you are maximizing your gym time. Give us a call at 239-332-2555 or visit www.drkasters.com to learn more about us.

Treasure Your Health

ER visit chiropractic fort myers kaster

ER visit chiropractic fort myers kasterHealthcare has become so expensive in recent years that if you have your health, you are the new wealthy in America.

Health care costs have jumped over recent years to a point where most people cant afford it even with insurance. The average ER visit these days ranges from $3,000 to $5,000. Actual treatments are only done in emergency circumstances. Generally what you end up with is a referral  to follow up with your primary care doctor or a specialist. If you are a cash only patient who isn’t insured, it can climb even higher.

ER care is for emergencies. Ruptured spleens, burst appendix, broken legs, or needing stitches. Things you have no warning about and the onset needs to be dealt with.

Being proactive in your normal health care can make the world of difference in your overall health and wellness, though of course it may not preclude emergency situations it can for sure help you save a bunch on healthcare costs over the course of your life.

Masking symptoms can make you feel better, but it won’t help the cause. To fix the cause of any disease or illness you have to find the root cause and make corrections. The further along you are into the symptoms the more correction and time it often takes to get back on course.

One of the best proactive protective health care modalities is chiropractic. Chiropractic focuses on the spine and correction of subluxations (misalignments). Because the spine houses your nervous system inside of the spinal column it is vital for it to be in alignment. Each nerve is a pathway of communication outwards to every organ in the body including the brain.

When your spine becomes misaligned it can pinch off nerves hindering proper electrical signal. Do this long enough and the cut off organ begins not to work so well. Left in that state this is one way that disease can creep in.

Treating via chiropractic is a relatively inexpensive form of medical treatment. It is often covered by many insurance policies so be sure to check your coverage. Waiting and allowing your body to fall into disrepair can be extremely expensive as well as  painful and or debilitating.

Start today. Give the office of Kaster Chiropractic and Associates a call at 239-332-2555 or visit online to learn more about Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. and our practice in Fort Myers, Florida.