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Mobility & Flexibility

Why Personal Injuries Cause Muscle Stiffness During Healing

Why Personal Injuries Cause Muscle Stiffness and How Chiropractic Care from El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group Can Restore Mobility

A man with back pain is doing chiropractic-prescribed stretching exercises

Personal injuries from car accidents, slips, or work mishaps can lead to muscle stiffness that makes daily life tough. Without proper care, muscles can become short, tight, or stiff, reducing flexibility and range of motion. This makes simple moves like turning your head or bending over feel hard and painful. It also raises the risk of more injuries down the line. At the El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group, our team knows how these issues start and how to fix them. We use integrative chiropractic care to tackle muscle problems from injuries, helping you move better and feel less pain.

People who are injured in accidents often skip stretching during recovery, which can worsen stiffness. This can lead to reduced movement, increased injury risk, and long-term pain. Our chiropractors and nurse practitioners work holistically to address these. We focus on the whole body, not just the injured area, to restore full function.

Understanding Muscle Stiffness After Personal Injuries

Accidents like whiplash from a car crash can damage muscles, making them tighten up as a protective response. If left untreated, this leads to shortened muscles that limit your movement. For instance, a back injury might make it difficult to twist or lift things without pain. At El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group, we see this often in patients recovering from personal injuries.

Without regular stretching post-injury, muscles adapt to being still, especially during rest periods. This builds tightness, affects posture, and can cause neck, shoulder, or lower back aches. Over time, it slows muscle healing and creates imbalances.

Common effects of untreated stiffness after injuries include:

  • Lost Flexibility: Muscles can’t stretch fully, making joints feel stuck and everyday tasks challenging.
  • Limited Range of Motion: Hard to reach overhead or look behind you, impacting driving or work.
  • Increased Re-Injury Risk: Tight muscles tear more easily in follow-up accidents or slips.
  • Ongoing Pain: Leads to chronic issues like headaches or knee pain from compensated movements.
  • Bad Posture: Pulls the body out of line, worsening pain from the original injury.

After an injury, skipping stretches keeps muscles contracted, causing longer soreness. Blood flow drops, delaying nutrient delivery for repair. This is common in personal injury cases, such as after a fall, when tightness spreads to other areas.

Age and lifestyle add to risks. Older adults lose muscle elasticity more quickly after injuries, but even young people with desk jobs face similar issues. In El Paso, where active lifestyles mix with high accident rates, our group helps break this cycle.

Benefits of Stretching for Personal Injury Recovery

Stretching is vital for healing after an injury. It lengthens muscles, improves flexibility, and aids recovery. Better blood flow brings oxygen and nutrients to damaged tissues. At El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group, we guide patients on safe stretches to boost strength training during rehab.

Simple stretches we recommend for injury recovery:

  • Neck Side Stretch: Tilt your head to your shoulder and hold for 20 seconds on each side. Eases whiplash tension.
  • Arm Across Chest: Pull the arm across the body to loosen strained shoulders after an accident.
  • Seated Hamstring Reach: Extend your leg, lean forward. Helps prevent leg injuries from impacts.
  • Wall Calf Push: Heel down against the wall. Good for ankle or leg stiffness after a fall.
  • Forward Fold Pose: Kneel and bend forward. Relaxes back after crashes.

These stretches improve circulation, cut stress, and speed healing. They strengthen joints, improve balance, and reduce fall risk. For those with injury-related conditions, it supports overall health.

Pairing stretches with walking helps keep muscles healthy and prevents knots that can cause referred pain. Our El Paso team includes these in personalized plans for better posture and energy.

Integrative Chiropractic Care for Personal Injury at El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group

Our integrative approach at El Paso, TX, Personal Injury Doctors Group considers the entire body in injury recovery. We fix spinal misalignments caused by accidents and resulting muscle tightness. This restores movement and reduces pain naturally.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, leads our team with expertise in personal injury care. He observes that stiffness often stems from nerve compression or post-accident poor alignment. Using adjustments, he treats back pain, sciatica, and tightness from crashes, focusing on underlying causes such as imbalances. His method blends chiropractic with functional medicine to support nutrition and lifestyle.

Techniques we use for injury-related stiffness:

  • High-Velocity Adjustments: Quick moves to realign the spine and ease joint locks from impacts.
  • Gentle Activator Tool: Precise for neck injuries without force.
  • Decompression Therapy: Stretches the spine to relieve disc pressure from accidents.
  • Muscle Release Massage: Loosens tight areas and boosts flow.

These improve the range of motion by reducing stiffness. For post-injury morning aches, we cut inflammation and realign joints. Dr. Jimenez combines this with stretches for lasting results in our El Paso clinic.

Our care enhances nerve function and posture to prevent re-injuries. We start with thorough exams, including strength tests.

Nurse Practitioners’ Role in Our Personal Injury Team

Nurse practitioners at Personal Injury Doctors Group in El Paso, TX, handle diagnostics and case plans for injury cases. They order tests and manage care. Working with chiropractors provides holistic support.

NPs assess through exams and histories. They suggest pain medications or therapies. Dr. Jimenez uses his NP skills to integrate medical and chiropractic care for optimal recovery.

Our team ensures comprehensive care for issues such as pinched nerves from accidents.

Holistic Recovery for Personal Injury Victims in El Paso

At El Paso, TX Personal Injury Doctors Group, we combine stretching, adjustments, and NP guidance for full recovery. Dr. Jimenez’s work shows that integrative care improves mobility. If you’ve been injured, contact us for help regaining movement.


References

Muscle Stiffness: What Is It, Causes, Treatment, and More (Osmosis, n.d.)

The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly Side Of Stretching (BioFit Performance, n.d.)

The Role Of Stretching And Flexibility Exercises (Orthopaedic Associates of Duluth, n.d.)

Stretched for Time and No Time to Stretch? (KOYO, n.d.)

Stretching is not a warm up! Find out why (Mayo Clinic, n.d.)

The Importance of Flexibility and Function in Daily Life (American Sport and Fitness, n.d.)

Benefits of Flexibility and Stretching (eCampusOntario, n.d.)

Here’s How Different Methods of Mobility Affect Your Muscle Tone (Aaptiv, n.d.)

Key Benefits of Range of Motion Exercises for Your Health (American Sport and Fitness, n.d.)

Easy Stretches To Do Every Day When You Have Prediabetes (Lark Health, n.d.)

Stretching exercises are an important part of physical therapy. (Aegis Physical Therapy, n.d.)

What happens to your body if you don’t stretch post workout? (SoFit Socal, n.d.)

Stretch for a Healthy Spine & Lifelong Mobility (Eastern Oklahoma Chiropractic, n.d.)

Unlocking Optimal Health: The Benefits of Choosing an Integrative Chiropractor (Impastato Chiropractic, n.d.)

The Power of Chiropractic Adjustments (Texas Medical Institute, n.d.)

Healthy Habits, Happy Spine: How Your Routine Affects Spinal Health (Altitude Health, n.d.)

Full Body Chiropractic Adjustment for Back Pain Relief: What You Need to Know (Recovery Chiromed, n.d.)

Chiropractic Adjustments for Joint Health: Enhancing Mobility and Function (Work Partners MD, n.d.)

What Is A Chiropractic Spine Adjustment And Its Potential Benefits? (Boca Chiropractic, n.d.)

Can a Chiropractor Help with Range of Motion? (Advanced Spine & Rehab, n.d.)

Chiropractic Adjustments for Better Mobility (Trinity Advanced Health, n.d.)

Treatments a Nurse Practitioner Can Provide (Healthgrades, n.d.)

New Models for the Delivery of Musculoskeletal Care in Rural Communities (ScienceDirect, 2020)

Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) (American Nurses Association, n.d.)

Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: The Future of Urology (UroToday, n.d.)

How to Prepare for Your First Adjustment (Premier Chiropractic, n.d.)

10 Essential Nurse Practitioner Skills (Rockhurst University, n.d.)

Chiropractic Care for Stiff Neck: What to Expect and How It Helps (UCC Near Me, n.d.)

Help for Pinched Nerves (Atlas Chiropractic, n.d.)

Can Chronic Pain Be Managed? A Nurse Practitioner’s Role (121 Wellness, n.d.)

Morning Stiffness Explained: Chiropractic Benefits Unveiled (Essential Chiropractic, n.d.)

Muscle Stiffness (Ayurvaid, n.d.)

Regenerative Care in Alexandria, VA (Innerve8 Medical, n.d.)

The Art of Chiropractic: A Guide to Diverse Techniques (Amersham Chiropractic, n.d.)

Injury Specialists (Dr. Alex Jimenez, n.d.)

Dr. Alexander Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN ? (LinkedIn, n.d.)

Post Disclaimers

General Disclaimer, Licenses and Board Certifications *

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Why Personal Injuries Cause Muscle Stiffness During Healing" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Welcome to El Paso's Premier Wellness and Injury Care Clinic & Wellness Blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a Multi-State board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our multidisciplinary team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those on this site and on our family practice-based chiromed.com site, focusing on naturally restoring health for patients of all ages.

Our areas of multidisciplinary practice include  Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.

Our information scope is multidisciplinary, focusing on musculoskeletal and physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for musculoskeletal injuries or disorders.

Our videos, posts, topics, and insights address clinical matters and issues that are directly or indirectly related to our clinical scope of practice.

Our office has made a reasonable effort to provide supportive citations and has identified relevant research studies that support our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies upon request to regulatory boards and the public.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how they may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to discuss the subject matter above further, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Multidisciplinary Licensing & Board Certifications:

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in
Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License #: TX5807, Verified: TX5807
New Mexico DC License #: NM-DC2182, Verified: NM-DC2182

Multi-State Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN*) in Texas & Multi-States 
Multi-state Compact APRN License by Endorsement (42 States)
Texas APRN License #: 1191402, Verified: 1191402 *
Florida APRN License #: 11043890, Verified:  APRN11043890 *
Colorado License #: C-APN.0105610-C-NP, Verified: C-APN.0105610-C-NP
New York License #: N25929, Verified N25929

License Verification Link: Nursys License Verifier
* Prescriptive Authority Authorized

ANCC FNP-BC: Board Certified Nurse Practitioner*
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*

Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
Degree Granted. Master's in Family Practice MSN Diploma (Cum Laude)


Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST

My Digital Business Card

 

Licenses and Board Certifications:

DC: Doctor of Chiropractic
APRNP: Advanced Practice Registered Nurse 
FNP-BC: Family Practice Specialization (Multi-State Board Certified)
RN: Registered Nurse (Multi-State Compact License)
CFMP: Certified Functional Medicine Provider
MSN-FNP: Master of Science in Family Practice Medicine
MSACP: Master of Science in Advanced Clinical Practice
IFMCP: Institute of Functional Medicine
CCST: Certified Chiropractic Spinal Trauma
ATN: Advanced Translational Neutrogenomics

Memberships & Associations:

TCA: Texas Chiropractic Association: Member ID: 104311
AANP: American Association of Nurse Practitioners: Member  ID: 2198960
ANA: American Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222 (District TX01)
TNA: Texas Nurse Association: Member ID: 06458222

NPI: 1205907805

National Provider Identifier

Primary Taxonomy Selected Taxonomy State License Number
No 111N00000X - Chiropractor NM DC2182
Yes 111N00000X - Chiropractor TX DC5807
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family TX 1191402
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family FL 11043890
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family CO C-APN.0105610-C-NP
Yes 363LF0000X - Nurse Practitioner - Family NY N25929

 

Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
My Digital Business Card

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, APRN, FNP-BC, CFMP, IFMCP

Specialties: Stopping the PAIN! We Specialize in Treating Severe Sciatica, Neck-Back Pain, Whiplash, Headaches, Knee Injuries, Sports Injuries, Dizziness, Poor Sleep, Arthritis. We use advanced proven therapies focused on optimal Mobility, Posture Control, Deep Health Instruction, Integrative & Functional Medicine, Functional Fitness, Chronic Degenerative Disorder Treatment Protocols, and Structural Conditioning. We also integrate Wellness Nutrition, Wellness Detoxification Protocols and Functional Medicine for chronic musculoskeletal disorders. We use effective "Patient Focused Diet Plans", Specialized Chiropractic Techniques, Mobility-Agility Training, Cross-Fit Protocols, and the Premier "PUSH Functional Fitness System" to treat patients suffering from various injuries and health problems. Ultimately, I am here to serve my patients and community as a Chiropractor passionately restoring functional life and facilitating living through increased mobility and true functional health.

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