Archives for August 2021

Most Common Injuries You Can Have Treated At A Walk-In Clinic

A walk-in clinic is a place you can go to receive urgent treatment for a non-life-threatening injury. This facility is built for your convenience and is open for longer hours with the ability to receive patients with little or no wait time and without an appointment.

You know all too well that small accidents can happen at night or on weekends, which can mean a trip to the emergency room, or it could mean waiting until you can see a primary care provider for it. Common injuries are not a priority in the ER. Plus, it’s expensive getting treated there for common injuries. Whereas waiting to see a primary care provider may not give you peace of mind, and the symptoms can be overwhelming.

It pays to know your options for the next time you or a family member sustains an injury or medical emergency that is not life-threatening. Find out what common injuries can be treated at a walk-in clinic.

Injuries Treated at a Walk-in Clinic

Walk-in clinics vary in the services they provide. A walk-in clinic providing quality urgent care services should be able to treat patients with the following injuries:

  • Cuts and lacerations – open wounds can be cleaned and stitched shut to prevent infection and to assist with healing.
  • Sprains and strains – severe sprains and strains need stabilization and the use of bandages and splints.
  • Splinters – removal of foreign objects to prevent damage from infection and internal damage.
  • Fractures – fractures need to be immobilized with a brace, cast, or splint to encourage proper healing of the injury and to reduce pain and swelling.
  • Dislocations – a dislocated shoulder can be manipulated back into place and immobilized for the healing process to begin.
  • Burns – first-degree burns, where the skin is red but not blistering, can be cleaned and treated in a walk-in clinic. Burn ointment can be applied to prevent infection and provide relief from pain.
  • Car accident injuries such as cuts, scrapes, bruises, and whiplash – the providers at a walk-in clinic can provide prompt evaluation following a car accident and determine the seriousness of the injury. A cervical collar may be used to enhance the healing of a whiplash injury.

Walk-in clinics are an excellent resource for patients needing urgent treatment for common injuries. To get the highest quality treatment for injuries, choose one with board-certified medical professionals on the team.

Royal Palm Beach and Wellington Walk-in Clinic

At Advanced Medical, our health care providers include a board-certified internal medicine provider, Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, and board-certified nurse practitioner, Dr. Shariffa Gunawardene. We are a healthcare team composed of caring and compassionate professionals offering patient-centric care.

If you’ve sustained an injury, we can provide a quick diagnosis and treatment to begin your recovery. We have many on-site conveniences and can provide continuity of care. Each patient’s treatment is personalized and will be overseen by Dr. Gunawardene.

If you have any questions or to let us know that you are coming, call (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online. We look forward to serving you in our Wellington walk-in clinic.

Tips on How to Recover From Whiplash

Whiplash is a neck injury that usually results from a car accident. It develops when the neck is forcefully moved back and forth, like a whip. However, you can get whiplash from other activities, too, such as sports.

Fortunately, most cases of whiplash can be addressed using conservative methods, like medication and exercise. Here are some tips to speed up your recovery.

Rest

Just like any other injury, rest can relieve whiplash symptoms. A few days of bed rest can help you recover. However, excessive lack of movement may delay recovery. The structures in your neck can weaken due to prolonged immobilization. Your provider will give you advice on how long you should rest and any movement restrictions to follow.

Use Neck Support

Your provider may advise you to wear a neck foam or brace to relieve pain and promote healing. A brace or a collar could help reduce the pressure on your neck by holding it still.

Most experts say that you shouldn’t wear neck support for more than 72 hours. The duration will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injury. Your provider will give instructions on how long you should wear the brace and when to take it off.

Apply Hot/Cold Packs

Apply a hot or cold compress to reduce muscle swelling and pain. You may do this every 3 hours for 15 minutes. If you’re using ice packs, wrap the ice in a cloth first. Avoid direct application to avoid damage to the skin.

Take Medication

Your provider may recommend medication to relieve painful symptoms. For mild to moderate whiplash pain, you can try over-the-counter medications, like ibuprofen and Tylenol. If you have more severe symptoms, you may require prescription medication. If needed, your provider may prescribe antidepressants to relieve nerve pain. For your safety and health, it’s best to consult with your provider before taking any medications.

Your provider may also prescribe muscle relaxants. These medications force tight muscles to relax to provide pain relief. However, muscle relaxants can induce drowsiness. Your provider may also recommend injection treatments. This ensures targeted delivery of the medicine into the painful muscle areas.

Stay Active

Rest can help in the first few days following your injury, but you will need to be active to complete your recovery. Being inactive for too long can be detrimental. Muscle stiffness and decreased physical strength are typical problems for those who have sustained an injury and remained at rest for a significant time. To combat this, your provider will likely incorporate light exercises or physical therapy into your treatment plan.

Physical therapy aims to improve range of motion and rebuild strength. Here are some of the exercises your provider may recommend:

●      Rotating your neck clockwise/counterclockwise

●      Tilting your neck to the left and right

●      Shoulder rolling

●      Bending your head towards and away from your chest

Treatment For Whiplash Wellington, FL

Most cases of mild whiplash can be resolved with over-the-counter medication and home care. However, severe cases may result in chronic pain and other prolonged complications. If you are suffering from whiplash due to an accident or physical trauma, see a provider immediately.

If you would like to seek help for whiplash in Wellington, look no further than the Advanced Medical Clinic. We are a primary care practice committed to delivering personalized healthcare treatment to patients of all ages. Our team crafts appropriate treatment plans for urgent and non-urgent conditions.

Let us know you’re coming! Call us at (561) 434-1935 or fill out our online appointment request form.