{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/car-accident-recovery-with-acupuncture\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/car-accident-recovery-with-acupuncture\/","headline":"Everything You Need to Know About Car Accident Recovery With Acupuncture","name":"Everything You Need to Know About Car Accident Recovery With Acupuncture","description":"[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/auto-injury.jpg” alt=”Auto Injury in Portland” title_text=”Auto Injury in Portland” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ header_text_color=”#333333″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Car Accidents and Rapid Injury Recovery   Ask The Acupuncturist\u00a0 Hey Everyone!\u00a0 It\u2019s your friendly Portland neighborhood Acupuncturists.\u00a0 Did you know […]","datePublished":"2021-02-20","dateModified":"2024-04-09","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/author\/the-wellbridge-clinic\/#Person","name":"The Wellbridge Clinic","url":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/author\/the-wellbridge-clinic\/","identifier":24,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a0acdd738c3aa5566f221fc566cf46ccfbeea59068c027f1667b0c6cc35b3e93?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/a0acdd738c3aa5566f221fc566cf46ccfbeea59068c027f1667b0c6cc35b3e93?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"The WellBridge Clinic","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/WBC_Large_Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/WBC_Large_Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/WellBridge-Clinic-Rapid-Injury-Recovery.jpg","url":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/WellBridge-Clinic-Rapid-Injury-Recovery.jpg","height":258,"width":388},"url":"https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/car-accident-recovery-with-acupuncture\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg","name":"Pain Relief FIRST Aid! (...Second, and Third too)","description":"For the Pain Relief Patches, we are using dynamic herbal formulas that have been used by Martial Arts Masters for hundreds, if not thousands of years. These patches are pharmacologically active and modulate circulation in the tissues.  Keep in mind we will prescribe different patches at different times and types of injury.  You will maximize your healing process by consulting with a properly trained medical professional like the Acupuncturists at The WellBridge Clinic.\n\nLets explore the 3 stages of healing:  \n1. Inflammation\n2. Rebuild and Repair\n3.  Remodeling and Strengthening\n\nWhat we do at each stage of recovery will determine the speed and extent that our body can heal.  Often people feel old injuries many years after the actual injury.  How we heal, how the damaged tissues are repaired determine the future.\n\nSo what is happening at Stage 1?  This is after an injury is inflammation as the body initiates blood clotting to plug up any torn blood vessels.  The injured site then undergoes a series of chemical transformations to promote the formation of fibers to strengthen the clots.  These chemicals trigger the acute signs of injury we all know:  redness, swelling, and warmth.  Nerves are working at this time, sending signals back to the brain.  Towards the end of the inflammatory period, the immune system triggers cells called monocytes to 'clean up' the dead cells.  This period last about 1-3 days and this is the only time we recommend using ice.  The best choice at this time is to Rest, Ice, add Compression, and Elevate (RICE).  There are crucial acupuncture treatments, nutritional herbs, and topical herbs that can expedite healing during this time.\n\nStage 2 is the repair phase. The body begins the process of rebuilding the damaged area.  New cells begin working in the area to build up the extracellular barrier and collagen to create scar tissue.  How we care for the injury and increase circulation will determine how well and how quickly the injury heals.  This is again an important phase for different types of acupuncture treatments. These acupuncture treatments balance the nearby muscle groups and increase the circulation systemically and at the site of the injury.  This way the nearby muscle groups are balanced.  This helps the body compensate and there is less torque and dysfunction at the injury.  At this point ice or cold therapies are minimized or used in conjunction with heat.  The goal is to enhance circulation in the area. While ice provides pain relief, it does not promote healing when used alone.  The topical herbal patches here are also changed specifically for this stage of healing.  \n\nThe crucial goal in Stage 2 is for the collagen fibers and scar tissue to be created symmetrically.  This will enhance all future function of the tissues in the injured area.  When the scar tissue doesn't form in an organized manner people often experience arthritis or even describe pain when the weather changes.  This pain that people describe when the weather changes is due to a change in the barometric pressure of the atmosphere.  What is happening is when the atmospheric pressure changes, all fluids have a force upon them.  People experience pain with pressure changes because the scar tissue is blocking the free flow of fluid in the damaged area.  So no, grandpa wasn't crazy.  It is fluid dynamics.  If we heal well, the new tissue is better organized and we can avoid being reminded of our breaks, sprains, and strains in the future.  That's why we say use your tools!\n\nStage 3!  Yay!  Its time for remodeling and strengthening.  Hopefully our imaginary patient has used all their tools and healed quickly and effectively.  At this stage, new fibrous tissue is being created that can transform into stronger scar tissue for the final step in healing.  Now the collagen fibers are reorganized to better support muscle tension and increase strength.  \n\nKeep in mind we are electric.  All aspects of our body operate on electrical ion gradients.  Acupuncture works because, when used skillfully,  acupuncture can modify the ion gradients in the body.  This enhances the cellular processes that are responsible for organizing and rebuilding the the muscle tissue so that injury can be as strong (or stronger) as it was before the injury.  Topical herbs at this point tend to be warmer and increase circulation.  We avoid 'Icy' types of topicals that promote contraction of the muscles and blood vessels. The goal here is to increase circulation.  There are very elaborate Chinese herbal formulas in pain relief patches that are used to enhance circulation and cellular processes.  And that is how you get better!\n\nIt is our purpose to help you get better. Schedule and appointment today call 503-544-9611 or book online:  https:\/\/app.acuityscheduling.com\/schedule.php?owner=15956269","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0A3OWtkm3cg\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0A3OWtkm3cg\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0A3OWtkm3cg\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0A3OWtkm3cg\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/0A3OWtkm3cg\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2018-07-30T21:31:05+00:00","duration":"PT1M9S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0A3OWtkm3cg","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC1NssDgMnX-Szx52sc-J_fQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UC1NssDgMnX-Szx52sc-J_fQ","name":"The WellBridge Clinic","description":"","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/ytc\/AIdro_nEDOUsDPFdZGq5nzZwUTQRz2Dar0qNZRX34r4VOtNDvg=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":183}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=0A3OWtkm3cg#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":3}]},"about":["Acupuncture","Car Accidents","Pain Relief","Sports Injuries","Stress & Anxiety"],"wordCount":1875,"articleBody":"\t\t\t\t\t[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/wellbridgeclinic.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/auto-injury.jpg” alt=”Auto Injury in Portland” title_text=”Auto Injury in Portland” _builder_version=”4.14.7″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.9.4″ header_text_color=”#333333″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”]Car Accidents and Rapid Injury Recovery Ask The Acupuncturist\u00a0Hey Everyone!\u00a0 It\u2019s your friendly Portland neighborhood Acupuncturists.\u00a0 Did you know that acupuncture can help you with car accident recovery, healing from a sports injury, or recovering from a surgery? Today we want to talk about car accidents and rapid injury recovery.Heal Better with AcupunctureAcupuncturists are like the Electricians of the health care world.\u00a0 Acupuncture is no longer a mystery, it’s all about bio-electricity.\u00a0 We want to make sure you are keeping the lights on with acupuncture. In this article we will be talking about how acupuncture works and the 3 Stages of Injury Recovery. After every injury or surgery, acupuncture can improve and speed up that healing process.\u00a0 What you do now will impact how you feel in the decades to come.\u201cIt\u2019s Just a Flesh Wound!\u201d\u00a0Please indulge the Monty Python reference.\u00a0 Fact of the matter is that we all get into pain and there is a lot more to recovering than a stiff upper lip.\u00a0 Some people were injured playing sports, maybe a car accident, or so many other possibilities.\u00a0 Other folks need help healing arthritis or chronic pain. Sometimes just sitting at our desk for hours, days, and years causes all the trouble!\u00a0Here are a few tools you need to know about and why.\u00a0 By taking a few simple steps you can make all the difference 20-50 years in your future.\u00a0 Health is the most important investments you can make.Lets explore the 3 Stages of Healing:Inflammation (Many types of chronic pain and arthritis get stuck in this stage)Rebuild and RepairRemodeling and StrengtheningThe actions we take at each stage of recovery will determine the speed and extent that our body can heal. Often people feel old injuries many years after the actual injury. How we heal\u2026how the damaged tissues are repaired will determine the future.At The WellBridge Clinic, we use Acupuncture and a number of other resources available to ensure our patients heal quickly and completely. As we guide our patients back into health, education is a foundation of our process.How Acupuncture Helps Car Accident Recovery If you’re going to remember anything, remember this part.\u00a0 Acupuncture helps the body heal after an injury by changing a multiple things in the body.\u00a0 A good acupuncturist doesn\u2019t even have to\u00a0 work on the injury directly to help you feel better.\u00a0 This is crucial because after a car accident, people often have strained or torn ligaments and muscles are in spasm.\u00a0 Please do not twist, pop, or mash on those muscles.\u00a0 Don’t let the doctor, physical therapist, chiropractor, or massage therapist twist or stretch that injury.\u00a0 Not yet!\u00a0 There is a time and a place to have someone stretch, \u2018pop\u2019, or exercise that injury.\u00a0 Just wait until the muscles relax and the ligaments have a chance to heal with the guidance of an acupuncturist.So how does acupuncture help?Firstly, Acupuncture reduces inflammation so there is less swelling and pain.\u00a0\u00a0After that, acupuncture increases circulation.\u00a0 This helps the muscles relax and lengthen again so people can turn your head, or bend your knee.\u00a0\u00a0At the same time, acupuncture triggers several processes in the body to reduce pain signals.\u00a0 We expect patients should feel at least a 50% reduction of pain during and after their acupuncture treatment. That pain relief will increase from hours to days to weeks, to months and years.One of the greatest benefits that acupuncture has to offer is stress reduction.\u00a0 After accidents many people experience hyper vigilance, poor sleep, and anxiety.\u00a0 Acupuncture reduces stress hormones and changes.One important tool that our patients love are Pain Relief Patches. Martial arts masters have been using herbal pain relief for hundreds, if not thousands of years.\u00a0 Today we use dynamic herbal formulas and\u00a0 make it easy by placing them in adhesive patches. Herbal pain relief patches are pharmacologically active and improve circulation in the tissues. Keep in mind an acupuncturist will prescribe different patches for different phases and different types of injury.Stage 1 of Injury RecoveryWhat is happening at Stage 1? This is the first 1-3 days after an injury or surgery. After a car accident, many people have strained and torn ligaments, muscle spasms, and pain with movement.\u00a0 During this time inflammation dominates the healing process.\u00a0The body\u2019s job is to repair any torn muscles and ligaments. The injuries then undergo a series of chemical transformations to promote the formation of fibers to strengthen the repairs. The surrounding muscles are tight from the injury and to protect you by limiting your movement.Nerves are working at this time, sending signals back to the brain for repair and to let you know something is very wrong. Towards the end of the inflammatory period, the immune system triggers cells called monocytes which \u2018clean up\u2019 the dead cells.During Stage 1 is the only time we recommend using ice. The best choice at this time is to Rest, Ice, add Compression, and Elevate (RICE). There are crucial acupuncture treatments, nutritional herbs, and topical herbs that can expedite healing during this time.\u00a0\u00a0This is an important time to schedule acupuncture.\u00a0 Most acupuncturists are able to lower inflammation and reduce pain without ever working on the injury itself.\u00a0 That\u2019s right.\u00a0 We don\u2019t have to touch the injury.\u00a0 That comes later.\u00a0 It\u2019s important to leave that injury alone.\u00a0 It doesn\u2019t need to be twisted or squeezed.\u00a0 Save that for later. Acupuncture works on nearby muscle groups and through your central nervous system to speed up your recovery.\u00a0 Our patients at The WellBridge Clinic get relief immediately during the treatment.Stage 1 Recovery TipsRestIceCompressionElevateAcupuncture (don\u2019t worry, we don\u2019t work at the site of injury)Cooling herbal pain relief patch or poultice under the compressStage 2 of Injury RecoveryStage 2 is the repair phase. The body begins the process of rebuilding the damaged area. New cells begin working in the area to create scar tissue. Gently increasing circulation at this time will determine how well and how quickly the injury heals.\u00a0 You want well organized scar tissue. If those damaged muscles and ligaments keep getting twisted or manipulated, the repairs can cause more problems later.There are several types of acupuncture treatments that are important during Stage 2. These acupuncture treatments balance the nearby muscle groups and increase the circulation systemically and at the site of the injury.\u00a0 When the muscle tissue is more relaxed and has more nerve and blood circulation, the body can repair the injuries cleanly.\u00a0 At this point the acupuncturist will be working on the injury as well as with nearby muscle groups.\u00a0 People will keep feeling better and better for longer periods of time.\u00a0 At this point people also report better sleep and less anxiety when getting back in a car.During Stage 2\u00a0 we minimize ice or cold therapies or use ice in conjunction with heat.\u00a0 We are phasing out \u2018Bio-Freeze\u2019 and other \u2018Icy\u2019 type of topical products. The goal is to enhance circulation in the area. While ice provides pain relief, it does not promote healing when used alone. We switch to topical herbal patches that increase circulation.\u00a0 We recommend ice only immediately after activity, aggravation of the injury, or followed by a Far Infrared Heat Therapy.Predict the Weather with Sore JointsHave you ever heard anyone describe pain when the weather changes? The pain that people describe when the weather changes is due to a change in the barometric pressure in the atmosphere. When the atmospheric pressure changes, pressure on fluids in our body changes also (remember we are 70% water). People often experience pain with pressure changes because the scar tissue is blocking the free flow of fluid in the damaged area. So no\u2026.grandpa wasn\u2019t crazy. It is fluid dynamics. When we heal well, the new tissue is organized better. This is how we can avoid being reminded of our breaks, sprains, and strains in the future. That\u2019s why we say \u201cuse your tools!\u201d\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry we can fix \u2018barometric joint pain\u2019 at anytime of life\u2026just schedule an appointment.\u00a0 It\u2019s never too late to start.Stage 3 of Injury RecoveryYay! It\u2019s time for remodeling and strengthening. At this stage, new fibrous tissues are being created that can transform into stronger scar tissue for the final step in healing. Now the collagen fibers are reorganized to better support muscle tension and increase strength.All aspects of our body operate or are influenced by electrical ion gradients. Acupuncture works by changing the electrical ion gradients in the fascia and cells. This enhances the cellular processes that are responsible for organizing and rebuilding the muscle tissue so that injury can be as strong (or stronger) as it was before the injury.As always we are stimulating the body to heal by working from the inside-out (acupuncture and pharmacologically active nutritional herbs) and the outside-in (topical herbs). We prescribe topical herbs that increase circulation. InfraRed Heat Therapies, like moxibustion, mineral heat lamps are also important therapeutic steps.We avoid \u2018Icy\u2019 types of topicals that promote contraction of the muscles and blood vessels. \u00a0 We only use ice immediately after a workout or aggravation of the injury. The goal here is to increase circulation. There are very elaborate Chinese herbal formulas in pain relief patches that are used to enhance circulation and cellular processes.Acupuncture treatments are balanced between reducing pain, increasing circulation in the injury itself, and balancing other parts of the body that have been compensating for the injured area.\u00a0 Everyone is getting back to what they love to do at this point and those of us at The WellBridge Clinic get the satisfaction of another person\u2019s speedy success.The WellBridge Clinic Can HelpThe WellBridge Clinic is a Functional Medical Clinic that specializes in Acupuncture, Herbal and Nutritional Medicine.\u00a0 Our Purpose has always been to get to the root of any health problem so you get better and stay better. Your healthy, vibrant life is our job.\u00a0\u00a0We do that through time tested and science approved medical procedures and by educating our patients…\u00a0 Because the alternative is just juggling symptoms.We are located in Portland, Oregon and serve patients locally and around the world.\u00a0 Click here\u00a0 so you can schedule an appointment or a free consultation to see how our team can help you.\u00a0 We are in the clinic 6 days a week.\u00a0 Call us anytime 503-544-9611.Author:John Rybak, LAc., MSAOMScott Baker, L.Ac., MSAOM[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\t\t\t\t"}