Diagnostic Results: The following link is a copy of the stress x-ray digital analysis produced by a 3rd party independent evaluation according to AMA guidelines.

MVA- 7yr old 1st page of ligament injury diagnosis report

Upon finding that the boy in fact did have ligamentous injury and spinal joint dysfunction, I began treating him with conservative chiropractic care for the subluxations or spinal misalignments that were causing the spinal joint dysfunction. Within a few treatments the mother noticed positive behavioral changes. Specifically, he was less irritable and moody and he was able to concentrate and focus more at home and with school work. As she thought back, she reported that his irritability and difficulties were not present before the accident, but that she never thought that those symptoms were the result of spinal joint injury from the accident. The mother fought back tears as she thanked me and thought of those injuries becoming permanent damages for her son.

This specific case illustrates that the nervous system is very complex and can manifest symptoms in many different ways and in differing levels of intensity for different individuals. As I tell my patients, pain is not the only indicator of injury or dysfunction. For this reason, I believe that it is so important to correct spinal subluxations or misalignments to allow for proper joint function and the least amount of nerve system interference. Not only is this one of the most conservative treatment options, but it routinely gets to the root cause of  the problem so that other more invasive and costly treatments can be avoided.

– Matthew C. Ferris is a chiropractic physician and clinical accident director at Health Connections in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Ferris has a Diplomat with the American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals and has also completed certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

Matthew C. Ferris, DC, DAAMLP

317-585-9111

Health Connections, Inc. provides treatment of Auto Accident related Injuries

Fishers, Ind. – Matthew Ferris, a chiropractic physician practicing at Health Connections, accepts Diplomat with the American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals (AAMLP).  The requirements for attaining this diplomat included prior certification in Whiplash as well as passing a written test and certification process.

This certification is designed to give a doctor the training needed to help injured people not only get the treatment they need, but reduce the fears that cause them to not follow recommended treatment plans or just plain avoid finding out if they are injured.

Spinal joint and ligament injury are common in auto related accidents. Each year 500,000 people will have chronic problems and up to 300,000 will have some degree of disability due to an auto accident.

“Many patients have expressed to us just how thankful they are to have a doctor that they can trust to get them the care they need. I am pleased to have the training and confidence to put these patients at ease,” says Dr. Matthew Ferris.

– Matthew C. Ferris, DC, DAAMLP is the clinical accident director at Health Connections. He has completed certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego.

–Founded in 2004, Hoosier Chiropractor (DBA Health Connections) was started by two brothers, Dr. Jeremy and Matthew Ferris, who were raised in Hamilton County. Health Connections services include: chiropractic, whiplash treatment, golf related performance and injury treatment, massage therapy, and disc decompression therapy.

For more information visit www.hcfishers.com.

Accident Quick Facts…

• Drive your car to side of road or out of traffic if it is safe to do so.
• Remain inside vehicle until you are certain it is safe.
• Use your cell phone to dial 911 for police or emergency aid, as necessary.
• If it is necessary to exit the car make sure you are careful of traffic.
• Assist injured persons until emergency help arrives.
• Follow advice of emergency personnel.
• Contact your auto insurance agent to notify them about the accident for help with your claim.
• Find a doctor trained in the diagnosis and treatment of auto injuries (srisd.com).

After A Traffic Collision

Many crash victims feel shaken, but otherwise uninjured at the time of the crash. However, 24-72 hours later, they may become symptomatic, experiencing headache, neck pain, or other symptoms.

If the collision was the fault of the other driver, his or her insurance policy will pay for any medical or chiropractic treatment you should require. If the other motorist was uninsured or if the collision was your fault, your own insurance policy will usually provide for your treatment. The most important thing is to maintain consistent treatment in order to achieve the most complete and speedy recovery.

Protecting Yourself From Liability

There is always the possibility that you may be cited for causing the collision, even if you were not at fault. It is also possible that other persons may file a lawsuit alleging your responsibility. If there are any witnesses to the collision, collect their name, phone number, address, and a brief statement from them.

If you have a camera, taking photos of the crash scene, skid marks, vehicle damage, and involved vehicles is a good idea. If there is ever a question that some part or safety system on your vehicle was defective, such as tires, brakes, airbag, or restraint systems, you should maintain custody of the vehicle. Do not let it get sold or demolished.

– Matthew C. Ferris is a chiropractic physician and clinical accident director at Health Connections in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Ferris has a Diplomat with the American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals and has also completed certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. If you have a question or would like a no charge consultation in relation to an auto accident, you can call 317-585-9111 or visit www.hcfishers.com.

• Never blatantly give false testimony. It will do much more damage down the road then admitting to any fact you think may be unfavorable.
• Make sure to choose your words wisely.
• If you are unsure then you should say just that, “I am unsure.”
• Keep your comments short and concise focusing on specific facts rather then what you think was happening.
• If you have no symptoms: Say that you “have not experienced any unusual symptoms up until the present time,” this is actually  the most truthful and appropriate answer because you really do not know what has happened on the inside of your body that may at some time in the future become symptomatic.
• Never admit that you were not injured! Most accidents do involve some degree of permanent injury that if not symptomatic goes undetected only to show up months or years down the road in chronic degenerative spinal conditions that are symptomatic and more complicated then if they had been discovered soon after the accident.

– Matthew C. Ferris is a chiropractic physician and clinical accident director at Health Connections in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Ferris has a Diplomat with the American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals and has also completed certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. If you have a question or would like a no charge consultation in relation to an auto accident, you can call 317-585-9111 or visit www.hcfishers.com.

Fishers, IN, January-2010 – Did you know that over three million whiplash injuries occur each year resulting from motor vehicle crashes? Of these whiplash injuries, 500,000 people will have chronic problems and up to 300,000 will have some degree of disability. Apart from the effect on health, there’s a significant cost to society. Approximately $43 billion of total annual HARM is attributable to whiplash and related injuries. (HARM is a metric for quantifying the total societal cost of road trauma.)

Dr. Matthew C. Ferris of Health Connections says individuals need to be educated about the issues surrounding whiplash. He reports, “Many times ligament damage and injury goes undetected. Either the person does not have significant symptoms and does not get any medical check or they go to a hospital and get released with pain medication. At the hospital, the primary priority is to discover if there are any major medical issues, like fractures or internal bleeding.”

Therefore, Dr. Ferris explains, “after the hospital or critical care facility has ruled out major medical injury, it is important to go to a physician trained in whiplash diagnosis and treatment to find out for sure the extent of any injuries. In most cases, the diagnosis and treatment of injuries will be covered by either the at fault vehicle or one’s own auto insurance policy if no other vehicle is involved.”

So what are some warning signs? Dr. Ferris commented that, “headaches, neck pain, muscle spasm, back pain, and numbness and tingling are all potential signs that muscles, ligaments, and spinal joints may be injured.” He also notes that, “when ligaments are injured their function of keeping the spinal joints aligned and working properly is changed. If ligaments heal with spinal joints misaligned, it will lock them into a dysfunctional position and set the stage for spinal degeneration and chronic pain.”

– Matthew C. Ferris is a chiropractic physician and clinical accident director at Health Connections in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Ferris has completed post doctorate certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. He has recently completed a Diplomat with the American Academy of Medical Legal Professionals. If you have a question or would like a no charge consultation in relation to an auto accident, you can call 317-585-9111 or visit www.hcfishers.com.

Many people think of and use head restraints according to their other known name, head rest. This leads them to think that everyday comfort is reason for this device. However, a properly positioned restraint is one of the most important safety features to prevent injury to the neck due to the whiplash effect of accidents. If the top of the restraint is even with the middle or bottom of your head, the neck will bend over the top of the restraint allowing the restraint to act as a fulcrum to create an even greater force of whiplash and more potential ligamentous damage to the neck.

Tip #2- Use Your Seat Belt… Always

It is still the most important device to prevent injury in an accident. Don’t count on your airbag to keep you safe. Clinically, patients who come to our office rarely report that their airbag deployed even in major accidents where their car was totaled.

Tip #3- Get Examined for Ligament Damage if You Are in an Accident

Many times ligament damage goes undetected. Either the person does not have significant symptoms and does not get any medical check or they go to a hospital and get released with just pain medication. At the hospital, the primary priority is to discover if there are any major medical issues, like fractures or internal bleeding. So many times the proper x-rays and examination for ligament damage is not done. Therefore, it is important to go to a chiropractic physician trained in whiplash diagnosis and treatment.

- Dr. Matthew C. Ferris is a chiropractic physician practicing at Health Connections in Fishers, Indiana. Dr. Ferris has completed post doctorate certification in Whiplash and Brain Traumatology from the Spine Research Institute of San Diego. If you or someone you know has been in an auto accident of any magnitude,  call for a complimentary consultation and exam to find potential underlying injury see if you are a candidate for our services. 317-585-9111.