CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — Immediately after an automobile collision, you might feel OK. Sometimes, you wake up the morning after with a slight headache and feeling sore and achy. The pain could be nothing, but it could also be a sign of more severe medical issues.

Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News

Unfortunately, some locals decide to “tough it out” and experience undiagnosed concussions, bone fractures and issues that progressively get worse.

Pain management specialist Dr. Bryt Christensen and chiropractor Dr. Russ Jepson have noticed a spike in auto-related injuries in Southern Utah. Christensen and Jepson are the auto injury specialists at Vista Healthcare‘s Sports Spine and Injury Center. The Sports Spine and Injury Center boasts a robust option of therapies and rehabilitation, all under the same roof.

“Auto accidents can cause a variety of injuries,” Christensen said. “It’s crucial to provide multiple treatment options to help the patient recover faster.”  

The Sports Spine and Injury Center has chiropractic providers, back decompression treatments, massage, physical therapists, trigger point injections, acoustic shockwave therapy and more, all in the same space. Conveniently located downstairs is a full-service surgical suite for patients who require more robust treatment.

“When muscles have had whiplash, they can be tight and sore,” Jepson said. “Shockwave therapy is an excellent treatment option to use in auto accident recovery.”

Jepson uses acoustic software therapy for soft tissue injuries due to auto-related collisions. It’s a non-abrasive, pain-free procedure used on sore, aching and whiplashed muscles.

Christensen and Jepson want to educate the public on the importance of seeking medical attention after an auto injury. Getting proper medical attention may reduce the chance of further injury and help speed up recovery.

Common signs you should see an auto injury specialist

Headaches.
Pain in the shoulder, neck or back. 
Restricted motion of joints. 
Grinding or popping when moving joints. 
Bump, deformity or “goose egg” near injury. 

It’s important to remember that car wrecks can result in delayed injuries. Seeking an auto injury specialist is important because what seems like a small bruise or bump can become more severe, like a fracture.

Common auto injuries treated by Vista Healthcare

Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News

Concussions

From a mild concussion to a traumatic brain injury, car crashes can cause head injuries that may lead to more severe issues. Concussions can result in headaches that make day-to-day life more difficult due to pain, difficulty sleeping, nausea and more.

Signs of a concussion after a car wreck may include appearing dazed and confused, loss of memory, mood changes and problems with balance. Seek medical attention if you believe you have an auto injury-related concussion.

Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries and can be caused by abrupt jerking of the head and neck experienced during a collision. Whiplash is most common in rear-end collisions. Due to the extreme motion, ligaments, nerves, discs, muscles and spaces between vertebrae may be damaged.

Soft tissue injuries

Auto wrecks often cause strains, tears, ruptures, inflammation and general damage to muscles, ligaments or tendons. After a collision, patients can have tight and sore muscles.

Herniated discs

Back pain is common after an auto wreck. One of the causes is due to herniated or bulging discs in the spine. Back pain can cause patients to feel pain while walking, sitting and sleeping on their back.

Knee trauma

The impact of a collision can cause your knees to hit the dashboard, which can result in pain in your knee ligaments and kneecaps. Patients commonly experience pain standing, getting up from a seated position and walking.

Hand and wrist pain

It’s more typical with the driver of a car, but wrist pain can make daily living very painful. Wrist injuries can be caused by blunt force trauma on the steering wheel. The collision can damage bones, soft tissue and the wrist overall. 

Seeking a professional after an auto wreck is essential to the healing process.

Each auto-related collision is unique. So is your pain.

At Vista’s Spine Sport and Injury Center, experts create customized protocols for all auto-injury patients.

Common treatments after an auto accident 

If you’ve been involved in a car wreck, it’s crucial to promptly seek medical attention from an auto injury professional with expertise in assessing and treating injuries resulting from collisions.

Vista’s auto injury team is uniquely suited to diagnose and treat injuries after a car accident. Whether it’s a sprain, pain or concussion, they can accurately diagnose injuries and develop a customized recovery plan for you.

Your recovery may include examinations, X-rays, an MRI, anti-inflammatory, ultrasound-guided injections, medication, outpatient surgery on-site, physical therapy, spinal decompression, medical massage, post-rehabilitation treatments and more. With all of these options under one roof, you don’t need to go to multiple locations for treatment!

About Vista’s providers

Jepson boasts over 15 years of clinical chiropractic experience, specializing in chiropractic sports and pain management. He hails from American Fork, where he was born and raised.

Promotional image courtesy of Vista Healthcare, St. George News

His expertise lies in the treatment of injuries resulting from auto wrecks, encompassing issues such as whiplash, back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, headaches, herniated discs and various soft tissue injuries. Jepson holds multiple certifications and was recognized by Best of Southern Utah voters three years in a row as best chiropractor.

Christensen, a Utah native, pursued his medical education at the University of Utah School of Medicine, where he earned international recognition for his research on spine-related matters. He also completed residency and fellowship training at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

During his final year of hospital training, Christensen’s exceptional dedication and commitment to patient care led his peers and hospital staff to elect him as chief resident. Christensen brings a distinct skill set that significantly contributes to diagnosing and treating various pain-related conditions. His unwavering dedication lies in empowering his patients to improve their overall function and enhance their quality of life.

Vista is the leading concussion and auto injury provider in Southern Utah. If you or someone you love has recently experienced an auto-related injury, call 435-215-0257.

Same-day appointments are generally available so that patients can find relief when they need it most. Visit the Vista Healthcare website to learn more. 

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Vista Healthcare | Address: 2891 E. Mall Drive, St. George | Telephone: 435-215-0257 | Website.

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