Pain & Injury Doctors

Typically, the person who caused the accident will pay, that is of course if they have insurance. If they don’t have an insurance they will still be responsible for care but it will be difficult to get compensation from them.

But before we get into the details of who pays, it’s important to understand that this can be a long process, so let’s start from the beginning.

An accident has occurred, if everyone is okay there is not a need for an ambulance, but it is heavily recommended that you call for the police to have an accident report created.  While this does not seem too important if all parties are okay and there seems to be only physical damage to your vehicles, it is still vital to have because without the report, it comes down to your word versus the responsible party’s word.  I have seen many people talked out of calling the police by the responsible party, by providing their information and promising to fix everything, only to hear from my patients that the responsible party then turned around and claimed it was the other party’s fault.  Most of the time, they are able to get things proven by the damage on the vehicles and the reports of the parties involved, but not always.  This will leave you will possibly having to pay the bills through your insurance or out of pocket. 

However, if a police report was made and it has been proven that you are not the responsible party, then it will depend on whether or not the other party has insurance.  If they are not insured, you may find yourself having to go through your insurance or out of pocket to cover your losses. 

If you have insurance and the other party does not, then you will have to see exactly what coverage you have available.  If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP)it can be used to cover the cost of your vehicle, treatment or lost wages.  Great news!  But…Wait.  Most PIP plans are only for $2,500.  If you were taken to the hospital after the accident you can rest assured that most of that amount, if not all of it, has been exhausted.  Unfortunately, $2,500 is not a lot of money when it comes to hospital and medical bills but it is a great starting point.  This would be a great time to see if you have PIP coverage within your policy.  If you do not, you should really consider adding it.  For $2,500 of coverage you will normally only pay a few more dollars per month.  At the very least, it will help you cover some of your expenses.  If you already have PIP for the minimum amount, you should greatly consider upping it to $10,000 in coverage.  It will be slightly more per month that it already is, but you be glad you have it if you ever have an accident. 

No PIP?  Well, you can look into your coverage to see if you have something called Uninsured Motorist Coverage.  It is what it sounds like.  Coverage in case you are in an accident with a motorist who does not have insurance.  This is not standard and you will need to see if you have this type of coverage.  It will cost more per month, but will be worth it should you have an accident what a motorist who does not have insurance.

At this point, if the other party does not have insurance and you don’t have PIP or Uninsured Motorist Coverage, you may have to file a claim against your own insurance.  This is called a First Party Claim.  You will need to call your own insurance company and report the facts of the case.  Remember, an insurance company will help you, but their ultimate goal is to save as much money as possible.  Be honest and don’t let them talk you out of care that you may need in order to save you both time and money.  Get the care that you need and that you pay for in monthly premiums.

Now, what do you do if the other person does have insurance? 

If you have filed a police report and the other party has insurance you will need to find a place to treat.  Most family practice doctors, your regular medical doctor who sees you for all of your problems, will not treat you for the injuries that you have sustained.  Many patients I talk to are upset because they don’t understand why their normal doctor won’t see them.  When patients walk into my office, they are still upset and for good reason.  Most emergency room doctors and administrators do not tell patients where to go after they have been treated at the hospital.  In fact, the injured patients are often told to see their family doctors after being released from the hospital.  Thinking that information is correct, many patients will call their doctors and make an appointment.  Often times waiting a week or more to see their physician, only to be told in the waiting room or as soon as they see the physician that they can’t be treated.  The reason – because they are a car accident victim and their office can’t treat car accident victims.  Many times no other reason is given.  I will tell you why they won’t treat you.  It is because they do not accept third party insurance claims. 

A third party insurance claim is a claim by one party against the insurance of another party.  In our case, it will be you, the victim, filing a claim against the other party’s, the person responsible for the accident, insurance company.  Most medical doctor’s offices do not want to deal with this type of claim because it can sometimes become delayed or not paid out at all.  This type of claim is too risky for doctors who don’t deal with the insurance complication often enough, so they will not take the chance of not getting paid. 

Luckily for most patients, there are always a few clinics that take third party insurance claims.  At San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors, we specialize in third party insurance claims and welcome all patients.  We work with insurance adjusters to ensure that you get the care you need by following state guidelines and getting documentation over for review right away.  Our goal is to get you better as fast as we can.  Many times we can get a person better without affecting their work or school schedules.  We have convenient hours and are open on Saturdays to help get patients in for care. 

I have heard that I need an attorney?  Is that true?

Not always.  I have treated many patients who went the path of the third party insurance claim with no problems.  It is often easier to get the care done and submitted through a third party claim if there are no problems with the case and liability has been accepted by the responsible party. 

Sometimes though, attorneys are necessary.  I would consider an attorney if your injuries are severe or you are already getting friction and trouble from the claims adjuster about your accident and care.  If you hire an attorney, the insurance company must contact them instead of contacting you directly.  This is a good thing if they are constantly contacting you asking for an update or if you have finished care and are ready to settle for a specified amount.  An attorney can also help you by gathering information for your case and getting information ready in case the whole thing has to go to court.  Finally, an attorney is especially helpful at assisting in getting you the care you need.  Most car accident clinics that do third party insurance claims, also accept Letters of Protection (LOP’s) from attorneys.  An LOP is a somewhat promise from the attorney that the medical bills accrued in the process of treating the patient from injuries suffered from the accident will get paid if there is a settlement.  I know LOPs don’t sound too impressive, but many times, that LOP will get patients in the door to get MRI’s or see pain specialists. 

It is important to know which attorney to choose, as not all attorneys are personal injury attorneys.  Plus, you want an attorney that will be willing to go to trial, not all attorneys are ready for that type of commitment.  At San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors, we work with many experienced trial based attorneys and have several options for patients to choose from should they so desire an attorney to represent them.  Give us a call today if you have any questions regarding your care or your case.  We offer a no-cost consultation to all personal injury victims.  

Going back home and treating yourself with first-aid is not a viable way to get completely healed after an automobile accident. Find a reliable injury doctor that can diagnose you, after checking the MRI and X-ray reports if necessary, he can let you know about the treatment you need to recover. It is also the responsibility of a good doctor to help you by referring experienced chiropractors and physiotherapists that you need to heal whiplash or other injuries that have affected you during the collision.

Tips to find the best automobile accident doctor

Research can help you

Accidents are unpredictable, but having some handy measures can be effective at times of the serious situations. You can research local injury doctors that offer immediate help to accident victims. For example, if you have ever visited such a doctor with your friend or colleague, you can keep the card of the physician just in case you need him in future. If unfortunately, you experienced the unpleasant event of a car accident, you don’t need to look for a doctor. You can visit him/her straight without a second thought. Hence, do some prior research to avoid more complications in the future.

Seek reference from your family doctor

If you are struggling to find a doctor and don't have a clue where to look to find a reliable injury physician or a chiropractor, have a word with your family physician. Let him check you first and then you can seek the services of a specialist to diagnose whether there is any issue with your health. Particularly, if you are diagnosed with whiplash, back pain or head injury, you will need a chiropractor immediately. Understanding the depth of the situation will allow your family doctor to find you a suitable physician.

Use search engines to locate an injury doctor

Use search engines to track local doctors specializing in treating accident patients. You can call the top listed doctors and choose one to setup a consultation. Many times these consultation exams are free. A local search engine search on an accident doctor will be one of the most sought after ways to get in touch with a reliable injury doctor that can fix your back pain or joint injury affecting your physical health soon after the accident.

Scan the reviews

Check the reviews before finalizing a car accident doctor. You can explore the testimonials and see how existing or previous clients are responding to the services the doctors have offered them. From the reviews, you can know a lot of things about the doctor such as behavior, expertise, honesty and the satisfactory level of the previous clients. Depending on the doctors reviews you can choose a chiropractor that can help you recover quickly.

Ask an attorney

If you have hired an attorney to help with insurance for the accident or to claim damages from other parties, you can ask for a reference to a reliable injury doctor. Car accident attorney deal with accident cases requiring doctors frequently and can help you out by referring a reliable and talented accident doctor.

These are some of the most popular ways to find an automobile accident doctor.

Author’s Bio

Located in San Antonio, Texas Dr. Rojelio Solano D.C is a well-known chiropractor. Besides running several clinics he is keen in writing articles and blogs on Personal Injury, Private Insurance, Decompression Therapy, Worker’s Compensation Medicare and Massage Therapies.

When going for the DOT physical exams, it is important that you go to an approved and licensed medical examiner or clinic. This will ensure that you get the right DOT certificate and also be issued with a DOT Card, for instance, the Texas Commercial Driver’s License Medical card. The following are tips on how to find the best medical examiner for your DOT exam:

Reputation is important

It is essential to find out the reputation of that particular medical examiner before selecting him or her as your preferred examiner. This information can be found from the doctors’ past clients or you can find the information in form of reviews from the examiner’s website. When looking for reviews ensure that the reviews are written by real people and they should have 4 or 5 stars. They should also be current or latest reviews.

Go for a doctor that does not keep you waiting

Doctors or medical examiner’s offices normally mean well; unfortunately, some doctors tend to try and fix urgent visits into an already packed schedule. This usually causes delays and postponements. It is important to go to doctors that are more considerate of your time as client. They should build extra spaces for emergency cases into the daily schedule without inconveniencing other people.

Get recommendations from family members, friends and colleagues

This is one of the best ways of finding a good DOT examiner in San Antonio, TX. The simplest way to finding people who can give you recommendations is by thinking of anyone who drives a commercial vehicle near you. It is undeniable that they have all visited a DOT examiner. Therefore ask them about their experiences with the different examiners and make an informed choice.

Credentials

A doctor’s credentials are very important. Through the credentials you will be able to understand whether you are being served by a qualified and registered examiner or not. All DOT examiners must be licensed and approved by the Department of Transportation to offer the exams. Additionally, you can verify the clinic’s or the examiner’s license to operate as a doctor from the state medical board.

Finding a good DOT examiner means that you will get the best services and your DOT results will be given to you in the shortest time possible. The San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors in San Antonio, TX are some of the best DOT examiners in Texas. Visit them and get your Texas Commercial Driver’s license medical card.

When conventional method are limited for relieving individuals from various physical as well as psychological discomfort, Chiropractics is applied as an alternative treatment for quick remission. This is a one-stop treatment to boost the nervous systems and stop the back pain that is mainly caused by tilting postures, car accidents, slip and fall, and ergonomic issues.

More than medication of any type, medical massage therapy is often recommended for the extreme back pain, sprains in the joints and pain in any other body part. By appointing a Qualified Chiropractor, patients can rid the pain they are suffering from. The professionals know how to move their fingers on the spinal cord – the main weapon of the nervous system to fix the discomforts clients are going through.

What Chiropractors do-

• Prompt on-site rehab services
• Second opinions for the patients with serious conditions
• Immediate medical support and treatment for the injured
• Quick diagnosis, instant treatment of worker’s injury
• Providing test services like Scans, X-rays, MRIs, and Medication for injury and pain
• Communication with the patients, employers, coordinators, and case managers

Worker’s Compensation Program

Qualified chiropractors are dedicated to offering the optimum treatment to workers. The injuries and disorders of workers are worsened in the harsh work environment. Most of the time, they leave the health condition untreated allowing numbness, tingling, and pain to cotinue. Because of the constant physical discomfort, the work productivity of the company for which they work also gets hampered.

Usually, chiropractors work as a team when serving for the Workers compensation program- an insurance providing, wage replacement, and medical support to injured employees under the rules of the Federal Labor Law. The doctors are well aware of the law and serve the patients within legal barriers.

Car Accident

Auto accidents are unpredictable. Even the best drivers can come across with the dire consequences while driving cautiously. Along with causing severe damage to your vehicle, the accidents leave a long lasting discomfort in your body also. Even after recovering from the external wounds you can feel the effects of the pain that remain inside your body for a long period of time. Serious spinal injuries or pain in joints or other parts of the body have no medication. It is mainly treated with therapies and chiropractic care specifically designed for rehabilitation treatment.

Slip and fall pain treatment

Like car accidents, slip and fall accidents are also unpredictable. Sometimes it causes terrible debilitating consequences, resulting in personal injuries. Injured people are often in need of professional help of a chiropractor that can help fixing the discomfort with their Midas touch in the spinal cord.

Chiropractors can also locate the ‘epicenter’ of the pain and heal the area of the body with their quintessential massage techniques. Most of the time, the patients leaves the office of the chiropractor with a big smile of relief.

Author’s Bio

Dr. Rojelio Solano D.C is a celebrated chiropractor in the San Antonio area of Texas. He is a passionate blogger and his topics mainly roam among accident injury, Private Insurance, Decompression Therapy, Worker’s Compensation and Massage therapies.

The DOT physical exam is a special physical medical exam required by the Department of Transportation. You cannot drive or maintain a commercial driving license without taking this exam. There are numerous benefits of taking this exam. Before taking this exam there are certain things you need to know. Here are some of the things you did not know about the DOT Physical exam:

The medical exam must be conducted by a certified and licensed medical examiner such as the trained physicians at San Antonio DOT Exam Doctors in San Antonio, TX, who are listed in the FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) National Registry. The Depart of Transportation requires all drivers of commercial vehicles to undergo regular physical examinations to ensure that they are fit to drive safely on the roads. 

What the DOT Exam Covers

Loss of hearing

This exam tries to identify whether an individual has a hearing problem or not. Loss of hearing can be a problem for you as a driver because you need to listen and hear what is going on, in and around you. If you cannot listen or you are suffering from a hearing problem, the chances of you passing this medical exam are very minimal. In fact, it is not easy for you to pass the DOT test if you hearing difficulties.

Dizziness or fainting

The DOT exam also tests for dizziness or fainting problems among candidates. This means that if you constantly feel dizzy or suffer from a condition that causes fainting, you will not be given the DOT medical card or certificate. This is because; you will be putting other road users’ lives at risk in case the health condition kicks in.

Impaired vision

All drivers should have good vision. If you have impaired vision, chances of you causing an accident are very high. Therefore, all drivers are subjected to tests to determine their eyesight capabilities and problems.

Heart disease

This medical examination also covers heart attack and heart disease. It is a rigorous physical exam that identifies heart complications that can prevent a driver from executing his or her duties comfortably without putting the lives of other road users at risk.

Spinal cord injuries

Most commercial vehicle drivers are long distance drivers. With spinal cord injuries, it will be difficult for you to drive long distances to deliver your goods or passengers. Therefore, the DOT exam tries to find out if you have any spinal cord problems.         

Alcohol and Drug abuse

The test is conducted in an intricate manner that it can detect a drug in your system that you took 30 days ago. Road carnage and road rage have been attributed to drug abuse and alcoholism. Therefore, in a move to reduce this, the Department of Transportation tests for drug abuse on every commercial vehicle driver. In case some traces of drugs are found in your system, you will not be issued the DOT medical card or certificate.

The DOT physical exam is a very strict exam that can detect small traces of drugs in your body. The test is so elaborate that it can detect a drug even after 30 days of using the drug. Therefore, if you want to take this test ensure that you do not use drugs for quite a long time. Otherwise, you will fail the exam and miss out on the various opportunities available for you. Among the drugs this test detects includes;

• Marijuana
• Cocaine
• Opiates
• Phencyclidine
• Heroin
• Amphetamines

The DOT medical card is valid for only two years

Whether you have passed or still in the process of taking this exam, it is important for you to know that it is valid for only two years. Once you receive the card or certificate, you will have two years before it expires. Once the car expires, you will have to take another exam.

The urine test is not just for testing drugs

When you take this exam expect to be subjected to a urinalysis (urine test). This test is not only meant to test for drugs in your system, but it is also meant for checking the presence sugar and protein in your urine. In case sugar is present in your urine, you might be suffering from diabetes without your knowledge. On top of that, it enables the medical practitioners to identify other medical issues like kidney problems.

Other conditions can prevent you from passing the exam

If you thought that the exam only checks for drug abuse, diabetes or high blood pressure, the think again. There are other conditions that can prevent you from passing and receiving the DOT medical card. Some of these conditions include; poor visual acuity, epilepsy, mental disorders and advanced heart disease. On top of that individuals with impairment of limbs, alcoholics and other disabilities are unlikely to pass this exam.

In conclusion, understanding more about the DOT medical exam will enable you to know what to expect during and after the exam.    

Do you suffer with back pain? Well, you’re not alone. According to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is one of the most common reasons for missed work, and the second most common reason for visiting a doctor (only behind upper respiratory infections).

Why is back pain so common? There is more than one answer to that question. A large number of back pain patients suffer because of the following three reasons:

They have suffered a back injury

Individuals can hurt their backs by lifting heavy objects, overexerting themselves, or moving the wrong way. The muscles and ligaments in the back can be twisted and damaged.

Back pain that is the result of a recent injury is called acute pain, meaning it comes on suddenly. Acute pain is usually temporary, so when the injury heals, the pain lessens or disappears completely. Over the counter medications such as analgesics, topical creams, and anti-inflammatory drugs help manage back pain caused from an injury but don’t necessary fix the problem.

Chiropractic care is another way to lessen acute pain and feel more comfortable. By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can relax the muscles, and relieve acute pain faster than simply "suffering through" the injury.

They battle a medical condition or illness

Unfortunately, there are several illnesses that can cause back pain. Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, inflammatory diseases of the joints, and scoliosis are some of the common conditions that cause back pain. Because the conditions create pain that lasts longer periods of time, this type of pain is considered to be chronic pain.

Chronic pain is an entirely different animal than acute pain, and patients who suffer with it often look for options outside of traditional medication. Chiropractic care is an excellent choice in dealing with chronic back pain.

Adjustments to the spine can promote healing in all areas of a person's body, as well as provide relief from the pain. Chiropractic care for medical conditions sometimes takes a bit longer to show results, so the patient must be committed to the treatment plan the chiropractor suggests in order to enjoy the maximum benefits of chiropractic.

They have made poor lifestyle choices

Decisions we make can affect our health, either negatively or positively. Being overweight, avoiding an exercise routine, and smoking can result in health issues that cause back pain.

• Additional weight puts extra stress on an individual's back that can eventually cause pain.
• Smoking is a habit that has many negative consequences, including increasing the chances for back pain. According to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), smoking can cause a lack of nutrients which affects the back's discs. In addition, people who smoke tend to heal slower, so smoking can actually increase the length of time a person must endure back pain.
• Exercise increases a person's strength in muscles and tendons, and a sedentary lifestyle weakens a person's body, often bringing on back pain, as well as other health issues.

Chiropractic care can assist in lessening a patients back pain, which then hopefully leads to better lifestyle choices.

Feeling better often prompts patients to embark on a fitness routine, eat healthier, and quit smoking. Exercise regimens that include strength training can positively impact a person's health in a number of ways, including back pain reduction.

Millions of people struggle with back pain on a daily basis. Fortunately, there are multiple ways to treat both the symptoms and the underlying causes. Chiropractic care either by itself or in a combination with other treatments is one of the best choices available today.

Who Treats Personal Injury Cases?

We see many patients who have had trouble finding a physician to see them after an accident. Patients often come into our clinic ecstatic that they have found a doctor who will treat their injuries. Although Personal Injury treatment is offered by many medical doctors and chiropractors, many physicians do not treat personal injury cases because they do not want to deal with third party insurance companies or letters of protections (LOP) from attorneys.

Third Party Insurance Explained

Third party insurance is insurance purchased for protection against claims from another party. For example, if you get hit by another driver and they are at fault, you will want his insurance to pay for your damages or injuries. Filing against his insurance is considered a third-party claim.

Letters of Protections Explained

LOPs are promises from lawyers to medical providers that incurred medical expenses will be paid if their clients can secure compensation for their accidents. As you can imagine this can be a risky scenario for doctors, so many doctors choose to avoid this situation. Additionally, payments for these expenses usually don’t occur until after the injured person’s case settles, which can take months to years.

Treatment near me

At San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors we believe all patients should receive the care they deserve so we are willing to handle the additional work of handling third party insurances and accept the risks associate with LOPs. We know how to treat an injured patient and prepare the proper documentation for insurance companies and attorneys. When choosing the correct doctor for your care it is important to find a physician with experience and a referral network in place. We have strong roots in San Antonio, and have an extensive referral network in place to get our patients the proper care they need when they need it.

What is the cost of treatment?

Your initial consultation is always free and in most situations if the other person is at fault your treatment will be covered by third party insurance. Even if you are at fault, very often your own auto insurance will include coverage for treatment of your injuries. If third party insurance is not available, and you don’t have auto insurance, you can use your own health insurance. Lastly, if there aren’t any insurance options, you could do it the old-fashioned way and pay cash. Our rates are very reasonable and we have had several clients choose to pay with cash rather than dealing with insurance. Should you decide to choose us to be your treating clinic, we will ensure that you receive the treatment you need as soon as possible. We work with all attorneys and third party insurance companies.

Do I need an attorney?

Not every injured patient needs an attorney. We can give you the information you need to help you in your decision. Personal Injury attorneys can be very beneficial to anyone injured as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Insurance companies can be difficult for most injured individuals to deal with after an accident. A majority of people are in pain, missing work or without a vehicle after a motor vehicle accident has occurred. When faced with physical pain and stress, it may be too much to deal with an insurance company adjustor or representative. Insurance representatives can sometimes call an injured individual requesting updates at home or even at work. With an attorney representing you, insurance representatives can no longer contact you, but instead they are required to contact your attorney for all records or updates. San Antonio Attorneys can assist you with the process and ensure that you get the help you need, when you need it. However, not all attorneys specialize or practice in the personal injury field. We know several great attorneys in San Antonio who are experts in this field and we can provide you with a list of extremely personable attorneys to choose from for care.

San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors

Our physicians have over 25 years of combined experience in the field of personal injury. We offer same day consultations to all patients. We have an extensive network of referrals in place to ensure you get the care you need. We also assist patients with finding proper legal representation. Call us today to set up an appointment! 210-446-5115

Medical Examiner Certificate Renewal

It’s that time of year again, you have received notification that you need to renew your commercial driver’s license if you want to keep performing your trucking, bus, or similar commercial job. Probably seems like it was that long ago since you last had the perform the exam. The Department of Transportation requires that every commercial driver maintain an active Medical Examiner’s Certificate. For most the DOT Physical Exam is valid for 24 months but if you have a condition the needs monitoring such as high blood pressure your medical examiner may issue a certificate for less time, often about a year or so.

Where are the physicians?

You may have noticed that it is more difficult to find a medical examiner than it past years. That is because not only can’t every physician perform the Department of Transportation Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) Exam anymore. Recently the medical examiner requirements have become more thorough. Qualified medical examiners must be certified to new national standards. Effective April 20, 2016, your examiner must be registered and approved by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners. 

Locating Doctors through NRCME

Although there are fewer physicians able to perform the test you still should not have trouble finding a qualified physician unless perhaps you live in a rural area without many physicians to begin with. To find a physician near you, you can go to National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME). 

Independent Doctor or Medical Group

What are the benefits of having your examination performed by an independent doctor as compared to seeing a large group of physicians or a large medical group?  The most significant differences will be cost and availability.  Most independent doctors have lower overhead costs such as lower rent, marketing, and management expenses. Their lower expenses allow them to perform your physical examination at a more affordable price.  Smaller clinics also have more availability because they are less focused on other services and more focused on the specific services you need. 

Scheduling Physical in San Antonio

San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors are available to meet your examination needs. Our team of examiners offer DOT Physical Services into the evening to accommodate those drivers who work full days and only have evenings available to get their exams completed.  We also offer same day appointments to drivers who need to get an exam performed right away. 

Additional Exam Fees

Many drivers ask us if we charge me more if they cannot pass the test or need additional tests. We do our best to educate drivers about the new regulations and physical requirements before and after the examination.  Larger clinics have more to benefit if additional tests are run and you are found to need an extra service offered by that clinic.  Sine independent doctors are not reliant on other services, they only order tests that are necessary to determine if a driver is physically fit to perform the duties of driving a commercial motor vehicle.  If for some reason you need additional documentation in order to receive your license and you return a different day to complete your examination, we will not charge you a second fee for seeing the doctor.  This is just one more reason to see a NRCME Physician at San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors. 

Visiting San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors

We are easily accessible in San Antonio, located directly on San Pedro Avenue otherwise known as US Highway 281. We offer an oversized parking lot for your large trucks. We will do our best to take care you.  Come and visit us when it is convenient for you, it is our goal to have you driving for your company and earning a living for your family as soon as possible.

Lower Back Pain Impact

Lower back pain is one of the most commonly listed reasons for Americans to miss work. It is estimated that low back pain will affect 8 out of 10 people at some point in their lives. While many people experience only temporary low back pain, there are a great deal of people who end up having chronic low back pain which can last months to years. While back pain can vary from person to person, it should be noted that back pain affects productivity and lost wages in the billions of dollars.

Are Chiropractor Manipulations safe?

Yes. When performed by a licensed and trained physician, the procedure is remarkably safe. Spinal manipulations are one of the most common treatments for lower back is chiropractic manipulation. According to the Washington Post approximately 20 million Americans receive treatment from chiropractors each year. In addition, spinal manipulations are used by more than just chiropractors. Osteopathic physicians, naturopathic physicians, physical therapists and some medical doctors use this technique to address spinal pain.

Are Chiropractor Manipulations effective?

Studies have shown that spinal manipulations can provide mild to moderate relief from low back pain and should be considered when low back pain does not improve with self-care. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found that spinal manipulation was more effective than placebo and as effective as medication in reducing low back pain intensity.

Can Chiropractors help with Acute and Chronic Back Pain?

Yes. Patients who have been suffering from low back pain for a short period of time can benefit from self-care, non-drug therapies and spinal manipulation.

Chiropractic treatment better than drugs

Chronic Pain sufferers should be informed that long-term use of opioid drugs usually do not improve patient function. Lower back chronic pain sufferers would more than likely benefit from rehabilitative therapies such as physiotherapy exercise and spinal manipulations. There are many other factors that can affect the outcome of low back pain such as psychological and social factors, but spinal manipulations and therapy have the greatest success of improving function and reducing pain.

The back takes on a heavy load every day. Virtually any activity from walking, to carrying items, to the force of a car accident has an impact on your back. The back consists of an intricate network of bones, muscles, and ligaments that take the brunt of your daily activity.

Although your back is one of the strongest systems in your body, it is also one of the most susceptible network of your body because it is so flexible and supports so much of your body’s movement. Among all injured people, back injuries make up a large percentage of those injured. In high impact situations, such as fall and auto accidents, the back along with the neck makeup the most injured areas.

Due to its intricate network of connections, the back is particularly vulnerable to injury. According to WebMD your spine or backbone is made of 33 bones and tissue extending from the skull to the pelvis. Injury to any one of these bones or tissues can cause significant discomfort or pain. Other movable joints within the body such as the shoulders, neck, and elbows have a limited amount of weight they support. The back is unique in that almost every typical daily movement involves significant weight on your spinal cord and back. The constants force and pressure your back endures leaves it extremely vulnerable to stress, pain, and ultimately injury.

The multiple tissues within back muscles, tendons, and ligaments are often injured from excessive use, repetitive strain, falls, and many types of accidents. Since the back plays a consistent role in our daily lives it can often be difficult to treat. Many physicians are not prepared to treat back injuries, but Chiropractic Doctors are specially trained to identify back issues and quickly determine how to treat and heal them.

Causes of back pain and injury

Back pain can be caused by numerous activities. Excessive use of the back without proper rest and treatment can lead to pain. Accidents at work or in automobiles are some of the most common causes of injury. Typically even injuries to other parts of the body such as whiplash can radiate pain into the back. Back injuries are also often seen in athletes who apply extreme force to their body and joints.

Any repetitive type activity can cause discomfort or injury to the back. Football players, soccer players, weightlifters are all extremely vulnerable to pain and injury.

In addition to athletes, even people who perform seemingly routine activities are very susceptible to back injury. Work environments that call for repetitive motion or strenuous back activity are at high risk. Delivery personnel, bus and truck drivers, and service personnel such as waiters who consistently carry trays commonly experience discomfort and pain in their backs.

Avoiding back pain

Back pain can be avoided with care. Before performing activities that involve abnormal repetition or place strain on the back, the back should be stretched and flexed to ensure it is ready for the stress it is about to endure. Additionally one should limit placing excessive stress on the back, for example if transporting heavy boxes, you should limit the number of boxes you carry on each trip.

If you do begin to feel back pain, you should take steps to resolve the problem as soon as possible. New aggravations and injuries in your back usually respond will to cold therapy and chiropractic treatment. Seeing a chiropractor sooner rather than later can help identify the source of the pain early on and provide remedies to prevent further injury and resolve pain. Not addressing your back pain can lead to serious injury.

Chiropractic care for back pain and injury

Chiropractic treatment is extremely beneficial for pain and injury to the back. Chiropractic care helps relieve pain, increase range of motion, improve flexibility, and reset your back to its optimal function.

At San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors we offer free consultations to anyone having back pain or discomfort. Our chiropractors will explain thoroughly the benefits of chiropractic care for your situation and discuss potentially options to alleviate your pain. Multiple chiropractic techniques are known to be consistently effective for various types of back pain. Chiropractic care is often favored over other treatments because it performed externally to the body, it is extremely productive, and is very safe and tolerated by the injured person.

As with any type of injury, rest of the back goes a long way in helping your body recover. Together chiropractic care and rest are often an ideal combination to having a health body and back. With the back playing such an important function in the body, it is important to give it the attention it needs to recover.

Chiropractic is the preferred treatment for back injuries because it is minimally invasive and extremely effective at relieving pain. When you have a back injury you may also begin to notice that you have pain and discomfort other parts of the body as well, this is often noticed as discomfort in the neck or pain radiating through the arms to the hands or through the legs to the feet. A San Antonio Chiropractor care can provide treatment for your back as well as treatment for pain in other parts of your body.

If you are suffering from pain or discomfort, please see a professional for help. Many times relief is easier thank you think. If you are in the San Antonio area and would like a free consultation please feel free to contact our Doctors of Chiropractic at 210-446-5115.

Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI) occurs when an injured employee reaches a state where his or her condition cannot be improved any further or when a treatment plateau in an injured workers’ healing process is reached.

However, many patients are placed at MMI ahead of when they should be and as a result the amount of treatment they receive is limited by this decisions. Many their treating doctors later realize the diagnosis is incorrect but they Workers’ Compensation process do not know the well enough to correct the previous decision.

How do treating doctors make this mistake?

Workers’ compensation guidelines are complicated for most, and many treating physicians do not know the process of how to progress a patient through care. Workers’ compensation rules are much different that rules for regular private insurance and many physicians office do not deal with enough injured workers to fully understand the workers’ compensation process. Additionally, workers’ compensation guidelines change frequently and physicians don’t have the patient volume to justify staying up to speed with the new regulations. For this reason many physicians don’t treat work injuries and often instead choose to pass patients to clinics such as ourselves at San Antonio Pain and Injury Workers' Compensation Doctors who specialize in treating injured workers.

What is the impact of Workers’ Compensation Maximum Medical Improvement Errors?

Workers’ Compensation cases are time sensitive. If a treating physician can’t get a patient into the proper program to fit the injured patient’s injury, insurance companies can deny any request for therapy.

Often the patient loses a much of their treatment time because they don’t realize the worker’s compensation forms were incorrectly completed. The treating physician and patient must wait for the denial to be received and then figure out what they did wrong to resubmit for care. This creates a gap in care. Gaps in care are detrimental to a workers’ compensation case. Insurance companies and independent medical examiners use this gap in care to convince Texas Division of Workers' Compensation into thinking that the patient no longer needs therapy or help. If the gap is significant or long enough, the patient runs the risk of missing their window for help through the Workers Compensation system.

When a designated doctor sees this gap in care and there are no more requests from the treating physician for care, the designated doctor sees this as a patient being well enough to return to work or determines that too much time has passed for a patient to benefit from any care at that point and the patient may be placed at maximum medical improvement incorrectly.

When this happens, inexperienced treating physicians accept the decision and the patient is either forced to return to work with their injuries or the patient is unable to return to work within a timely fashion and loses their job. This is unacceptable.

Correcting Workers’ Compensation Maximum Medical Improvement Mistakes

Luckily for those patients, our physicians at San Antonio Pain and Injury Workers' Compensation Doctors won’t accept an inappropriate MMI decision. We have the experience and the success of fighting claims that have been inaccurately determined to be at MMI. Many patients come to us for workers’ compensation second opinions and many times we have helped them receive the care they need.

If you feel that your claim was inappropriately placed at Maximum Medical Improvement, please contact us today at San Antonio Pain and Injury Workers' Compensation Doctors 210-446-5115 to help get your case back on track and receive the help you need.

Were you injured at work and sent to a clinic the company recommended, only to see a physician who had no interest in your case, diagnosed you with an injury that does not match the symptoms you are experiencing and then told to go back to work with restrictions or worse, full duty? If this is what has happened to you, you may not be receiving the treatment you deserve for your work injury. If you feel your physician has not properly diagnosed your workers’ compensation injury it may not be too late to get your case fixed, call our San Antonio Workers’ Compensation Doctors today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your situation.

Many workers’ compensation patients are misdiagnosed

Often patients are directed to high volume clinics that have agreements with the employer or insurance carrier in order to get the patient evaluated right away and diagnosed with the lowest possible injury. This favors the employer and the insurance carrier, but not the patient. In Workers’ Compensation the initial diagnosis of a case is crucial to the type and amount of care you will be entitled to receive. In Texas, you have the right to see any physician you want to see for your injury, especially when you first get injured on the job. However, if you are with a company that has an In-Network Policy (making your injury an In-Network Claim), you will be told that your care will only be paid for if you see a physician within their network. If you wish to see a physician outside of the employer’s insurance network you will often be required to pay for care out of your own pocket. While it will cost you some of your own money, it may be the best choice for your care because your initial visits will set the tone for the rest of treatment. Employers and insurance carriers may tell you cannot choose your own doctor because they want to send you to doctors they have favorable relationships with, but the pages of the Texas Department of Insurance state you can see your own doctor.

Selecting the best physician for your work injury

Seeing a physician of your choice, especially at the beginning of your care, may be the best choice you make for your case. Call us today to request a free consultation regarding your injury. We have physician in many workers’ compensation networks, and even if we do not have a physician in your network, we will ensure that you get the proper diagnosis for your injury from the start.

Our physicians can help you petition Extent of Injury workers’ compensation review

If you have already been seen by a physician who in your opinion has given you a diagnosis that does not accurately describe your symptoms, we may still be able to help you. We can petition for you to start a process in which your injuries can be re-evaluated by a state workers’ compensation Designated Doctor and have your diagnosis codes updated to match your injury so that you can get the care you deserve and are entitled to. This process is called Extent of Injury and the purpose is to get your correct injury or injuries recorded and added to your case. This is very important because it will determine the type of therapy and amount of care you can receive in order to get you back to pre-injury status. As an employee injured while performing your required duties, it is the responsibility of your employer and their insurance carrier to get you back to where you were before you got injured. If you feel that this is not being done and your treating physician is no longer helping you, you must act quickly. Workers’ Compensation injuries are time sensitive. Schedule a free consultation today with one of our San Antonio Workers’ Compensation Doctors or experts to review your case and ensure you are on the right track by calling us at 210-446-5115.

What is whiplash?

Whiplash is the injury of the spine, intervertebral joints, ligaments, and/or cervical muscles of the neck. Many doctors will refer to whiplash as neck strain or neck sprain. Whiplash gets its name from how your head and neck move when your body experiences a sudden forceful change in duration.

When does whiplash occur?

Whiplash typically occurs following a sudden acceleration for deceleration to the body that causes quick forward to back or side to side movement. Whiplash can be caused my many different forces, but motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of whiplash. Over one million whiplash injuries occur from car accidents every year. The abrupt jerking motion of the head during a car accident applies a tremendous amount of stress to the neck which often results in some level of injury. Any type of car accident collision can cause whiplash, although whiplash most commonly occurs during rear impacts when the auto in front is stationary or moving slowly.

How serious is whiplash from car accidents?

Fortunately whiplash is generally not life threating, but injuries can range anywhere from mild soreness to unbearable pain. Some people who have suffered whiplash as part of a car accident injury will have the symptoms resolve on their own, but many will continue to experience the symptoms for many years after the injury if they don’t purse treatment with a doctor knowledgeable in the treatment of whiplash injuries. Whiplash is serious enough that you need to get yourself seen right away if you believe you are injured. You can follow this link to learn more about the seriousness of car accident whiplash injuries.

What are the symptoms of whiplash?

The typical symptoms of whiplash are neck pain and stiffness, headaches, dizziness, pain in the shoulders or back, pain or numbness in arms or hands, trouble concentrating or remembering, irritability, and/or fatigue. According to WebMD Pain Management of Whiplash the symptoms of whiplash maybe be delayed for more than a day. Recently in our San Antonio office we have had several patients that didn’t show significant symptoms until several days after their car accident. Often patients tell us without treatment their symptoms continue to worsen each day after the injury.

How do I know if I have whiplash?

If you have experienced any type of traumatic force to your upper body and have any combination of the symptoms above there is a chance that you may be suffering from whiplash. It is very difficult for anyone to self-diagnose themselves therefore is pertinent to see a medical provider if you have any whiplash symptoms. In most cases whiplash injuries are to soft tissues of the neck such as discs, ligaments, and muscles and cannot be seen on X-rays. Typically a Computed tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging MRI can be used to help diagnose auto injuries to your body. The physicians at San Antonio Pain and Injury Doctors use the latest tools and techniques to help you properly diagnose your car accident injury and get you the treatment you need. If you believe you are suffering from a whiplash injury we urge you to see help from a trained car accident physician to ensure you are getting proper care.

There are a lot of questions that go through your mind when you are in a car accident. What am I going to do? Who is going to fix my car? Who is going to pay my medical bills? What do I do next? Do I need a personal injury attorney?

The process is confusing, but we make it simple. Our Personal Injury Doctors, we do everything we can to assist our patients with the entire process. There are two routes that most patients choose when dealing with an auto accident injury.

1. Representing yourself directly with all insurance companies involved.
2. Acquiring attorneys to represent your interests.

Both options come with positives and negatives. The choice is up to you, but there are a few things that you should consider. Most prevalent will be the severity of your accident. If there is hardly any damage and you are not in any pain, it may benefit you deal directly with your auto accident insurer. This will be because the property damage from the car accident will be very low and your medical bills may be very low. There should be hardly any hassle getting your case resolved. Before you make this decision though, you should be checked by a car accident doctor to ensure you are fine.

Now, if your property damage is severe or you are in significant pain then the attorney route may be the best option for you. With medical bills and damage being higher in cost, you may need help dealing with insurance companies as sometimes insurances companies attempt to have you accept a lower amount to cover your bills. If you have never been in a car accident before, it may be in your best interest to have an attorney ensure that you costs are covered and that you get the medical attention you deserve.

Our Car Accident Doctors can provide you with a free health exam that can help you decide which option is be best for you. Our initial consultation is always at no cost to you.

You have been injured at work. You can’t perform your normal work activities because of your injury or you are in constant pain when you work.

Now what? Who is going to pay the bills? What can I do if I can’t work? Will I be fired? These are the first things that go through the minds of many patients who have been injured on the job.

Workers' Compensation cases are time sensitive and the details of the process are important. If you don’t start your claim off properly, it will affect you and your benefits.

Step 1. Notifying your employer of your workplace injury

You must report your injury to your employer within 30 days from the date of the injury, or from the date you knew your injury or illness was related to your job. Fill out any necessary paperwork related to your claim with your employer right away. Make sure write down who you spoke to and the date and time. We are aware of many cases where an injured worker informs their managers, but does not document the conversation or perform any paperwork and several weeks or months later, the managers have no recollection of the conversation or the meeting. If possible follow up any conversation with an email confirming the conversation and capturing the details of the discussion. This is also a good time to get a folder and begin filing anything related to your injury and case.

If you do not notify your employer within these 30 days, you may lose your right to obtain benefits.

Step 2. Filing a claim to the Division of Workers' Compensation

You must send a completed Employee's Claim for Compensation for a Work-Related Injury or Occupational Disease (DWC Form-041) to the Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers' Compensation (TDI-DWC) within one (1) year of the date of injury to protect your rights. Candlewoood Pain and Injury Doctors can help you with this form, as it can sometimes confuse first time patients. It is important to fill out the form correctly the first time or it will get rejected weeks later when it is reviewed by the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Any errors will require re-submission and will delay your case. This will delay your ability to receive treatment from physician and get the services you need. The sooner you can get these basic steps taken care of, the better your odds will be of having your case accepted and your treatment approved.

Once we have taken care of these first 2 steps, you are on the way to having your claim approved and getting the help you need to get better. Very little can be done for you until you have first reported your injury to your employer and the Texas Department of Insurance’s Division of Workers' Compensation. If you have not reported your claim please make it your priority, if you need help with the process please Candlewood Pain and Injury Doctors a call at (210) 446-5115.

Do not be afraid to report your injury to your employer. You are protected!

It is against the law for an employer to discriminate against you for filing a workers' compensation claim. If you believe you are being treated unfairly by your employer, please contact us and we can give you the guidance you need. We can help you get in touch with the proper professionals to ensure you are given the care and treatment you are entitled to.

You are not in this alone. We help many injured workers just like you get through this troubling time. Many Doctor’s shy away from Work Injuries because they are unfamiliar with the process, but at Candlewood Pain and Injury Doctor’s we specialize in workplace injuries and deal with them every day. Our specialist are waiting to help you. Still have questions?

Call us today for a no risk Free Consultation (210) 446-5115.