Adjust Your Mirrors, Stay Alive

With this being the most traveled day of the year, I wanted to share a short auto safety article I recently came across.

The past few years have seen an explosion of new electronic safety features in vehicles of all types and price ranges. One of the most talked about and most praised is the Lane Change Collision Avoidance System (CAS). It is also commonly referred to as the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) or the Lane Keeping System (LKS) This system alerts the driver to hazards in adjacent lanes or automatically steadies the car to avoid drifting into the adjacent lane. Some refer to it as the "blind spot" alarm. It appears to be a life saving feature and has so far proven its worth enough to be included on some base model cars.

However, some of us with older vehicles cannot take advantage of this new technology.

Fortunately we can ALL do something to get the same effect.  ADJUST THE SIDE MIRRORS. In 1995 the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) published a paper suggesting how the outside mirrors can be used to prevent blind spots. The diagram complied from their conclusions is below (click here for the Car and Driver article).

Basically, the side view mirrors should be angled in such a way that YOUR car is NOT visible. This may take a little getting used to for some drivers, but it is definitely worth the switch.





Just goes to show that once again, small changes can have BIG effects.  You can get thousands of dollars worth of new technology just be making a simple, free change to your existing system.

Stay safe on those roads!!  Have a Happy Thanksgiving!!

Until next time.....

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD

If you have more questions about chiropractic care, contact us at 301-474-5505 or sign-up at www.GreenBeltChiropracticRehab.com for a free consultation!

Greenbelt Rehab maintains an active presence on many popular search and social media websites. Select your favorite website below to stay connected or review us. 

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

The Worst Drivers in America

Allstate insurance company recently published its "Best Drivers Report" and Washington, DC finished dead last and earned the title "Worst Drivers in America". Its drivers were found to be 107.3% more likely to be in a collision compared the national average. Washington, DC also has the lowest amount of years between collisions with 4.8.  The average American city has an approximate 10 years between collisions average.

Washington DC shouldn't feel so alone because Baltimore, MD came in second to last. Drivers in Baltimore were found to be 88.7% more likely to be in a collision than the national average.  The amount of years between collisions was 5.3. Again, the national average is about 10 years between collisions.

So why would I cite such unpleasant statistics on a blog that is supposed to be about health, wellness, and chiropractic? The answer is simple, the city of Greenbelt, MD is located approximately 16 miles from Washington, DC and approximately 25 miles from Baltimore, MD.  Greenbelt Rehab is literally located in the center of the 2 worst driving cities in America.

It is estimated that there are 3 million NEW whiplash injuries each year.  Considering the location of my office, I would be an irresponsible member of the community if I didn't focus on those injured in automobile collisions. I have undergone specialty training from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego and am 1 of only 10 chiropractors in MD to have achieved their Certificate of Advanced Competency.

So while we are out there focusing on our driving (eyes on the road!) and actively trying to avoid collisions, the reality is that most of us in the DC/Baltimore area will eventually get into one. A significant percentage of those collisions will result in an injury of some type. These injuries often require some form of therapeutic intervention. Chiropractic care is THE treatment of choice for those involved in automobile collisions.  Patients receiving chiropractic care following a collision get better faster and tend to stay better longer.

So, if I may borrow a phrase from Allstate, if you find yourself injured following an automobile collision, PUT YOURSELF IN GOOD HANDS......GO SEE A CHIROPRACTOR

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
 Chiropractor
 Greenbelt, MD (right in the thick of it)

Greenbelt Rehab

8713 Greenbelt Rd., #201 

Greenbelt, MD 20770

 301-474-5505

www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com

       

8 Tips for a Safe Road Trip

During the summer months, millions of people take to the road to enjoy family time together. Most of the time, things go off without a hitch. You and your family have a camera card and a brain filled with wonderful memories. However, with more and more people on the road the risk of accidents tends to rise.  Here are 8 easy tips to ensure that you stay safe while traveling:

1. Drive the speed limit - According to the Federal Highway Administration, your risk of involvement in a fatal accident is approximately 1% when driving 55 mph.  That risk rises to 7% with only a 5 mph increase in speed.  As far as non-fatal accidents are concerned, it is estimated that there are 3 million new cases of whiplash and whiplash associated disorders every year.
 
2. Service your car before you leave - An unexpected auto repair can cost hundreds, even thousands of dollars, not to mention precious hours, days and sometimes weeks. If your car breaks down while away from home, these losses are magnified many times over. A simple check up before the trip can remedy small problems before they become big problems.

3. Get a good night's sleep - Driver fatigue is a major cause of accidents. Be sure you start the day well rested. Get a good night's sleep and have a healthy breakfast before starting out. Try to avoid foods with high sugar content to prevent the inevitable "crash" that occurs due to the rapid rise and fall of blood sugar levels.

4. Take frequent breaks - Studies have shown that driving while tired or drowsy is equal to driving while drunk. Prolonged driving can also aggravate lower back pain and other musculoskeletal conditions. Taking frequent breaks helps stretch the body and focus the mind.

5. Obey local driving laws - Seems like a "no-brainer" but be aware that speed limits and other laws can change quickly, especially near border areas of states and counties. Just like having an auto repair away from home, having legal trouble away from home is extremely inconvenient and frustrating.  

6. Do not engage with aggressive drivers - Road rage has been a buzzword for a while now, but the stories of assaults or worse are far too common these days. Please be considerate of others in their cars and try not to let the actions of other drivers get under your skin. Every last one of us engages in questionable driving maneuvers from time to time. Remember that the other drivers have families too. Don't do something you'll regret later.

7. Enforce seat belt use - It cannot be overstated that seat belts SAVE LIVES. In addition to buckling up, please make sure that any and all passengers are buckled up or restrained in a car or booster seat. NEVER remove a baby from their car seat while driving and do not allow children to climb throughout the vehicle while it is moving.

8. Be wary of trucks - We all have to share the road. Remember that 18 wheeler and other large vehicles are not as maneuverable as your sedan or coupe. Give them a wide berth and don't attempt to "draft" them or follow too closely. If you cannot see their mirrors, they cannot see you. Its not just a saying.

When accidents do occur, whiplash injuries are often the result of the neck being forced past its normal range of motion. This causes damage to the muscles, ligaments, and even the fibers of the intervertebral disc. Symptoms of whiplash include neck and shoulder pain, headache, difficulty moving the head and swelling.

Chiropractic remains the treatment of choice for millions of those that have sustained whiplash injuries. Most patients see faster and longer lasting results when compared to other treatments.

Enjoy the road!

Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
Chiropractor
Greenbelt, MD

Chiropractic Care has Helped to Relieve the Symptoms of Many People Suffering with Muscle Pains

With Over 600 Muscles in the Body - There are Plenty of Opportunities for Muscle Pain

Did you know that you have about 600 muscles in your body? That's a lot of muscles that can suffer from muscle pains, injury, tightness, inflammation, strain or spasm.

Muscle spasms can be caused by too much or prolonged exercise, injury, trauma, whiplash, and dehydration. You may experience twitching, tightening, or sharp pain with movement.

Muscle Pain due to an Injury can Develop a "Trigger Point"

After a muscle in injured, sometimes a "trigger point" develops - an area of sensitivity in the affected muscle that can remain long after the injury is healed. Trigger points are commonly called "knots" and are often associated with muscle pain, fibromyalgia, whiplash, other muscle strains, repetitive muscle movements, and emotional stress.

The traditional medical approach to trigger point pain therapy often includes injections of local anesthetics to "numb" the pain. However, this is symptom relief that does nothing to address the CAUSE of the muscle pain.

Many Patients Experience Significant Improvement in Muscle Pain After Chiropractic Care 

Many patients with muscle pain experience significant improvement after receiving chiropractic adjustments. Several studies back this up as well. One study of 5 men and 18 women, between the ages of 11 and 76, with chronic fatigue syndrome, trigger point pain and fibromyalgia. Every patient was able to resume his or her normal activities following a series of chiropractic adjustments.

I'm always happy to discuss pain and symptoms relating to trigger points with anyone who asks. In many cases chiropractic and a few other adjunctive therapies (ie. myofascial dry needling) provide effective and lasting benefits.

-Dr. Louis S. Crivelli II
Chiropractor
Greenbelt, MD

To receive treatment and consultation for your muscle pain visit www.greenbeltchiropracticrehab.com.