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TREATMENT OF BACK INJURIES
Treatments & Exercises for Existing Back Injuries
Helpful Products for Back Injuries
Victims, need some emotional grief support? see accesshelp.org
SAFETY TIPS
Miscellaneous
GPS Personal Locators for Children - Allows you to track and find your child if lost.
Kidd Safety for kids by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
CT Scans for Children-Reduce Radiation
Preventing Injuries from Falls Especially for the Elderly
Crime: Rate your risk of being raped, robbed, stabbed, shot, beaten, murdered or burglarized
Transportation
Cellular Phone Safety Tips While Driving
Child Safety Seats in Automobiles & School Bus Safety
Airline Child Safety Information
Basic Airline Cabin Safety Information
Travel Safety Tips - Exhaustive links for traveling: airlines, cruises, hotels, including international travel.
Around the House
BBQs & Propane Cylinders - Usage & Storage Safety Tips by BlueRhino.com
Pool Alarms & Pool Safety by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Pool Alarms - Good Housekeeping Magazine found the poolguard® best.
Baby Walkers: Unsafe at Any Age
Cribs, Beds and Sleepwear for Infants and Kids
Danger of Loose Fitting Sleepwear for Kids
Food & Products
Baby Oil & Sun Screen - Deadly to Babies if Inhaled
Gel Candy - Deadly to Infants: Recall - More Info
Food Safety - Government Food Safety Information
Food Safety - Center for Science in the Public Interest
Search the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Report Unsafe Products to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
American Association of Poison Control Centers
Report a Problem With a Product Regulated by FDA
MedWatch - The FDA medical products reporting program
Report Serious Adverse Events to FDA MedWatch
Email
HURT911®
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Treatment of Minor Soft Tissue Injuries (muscle aches, sprains & strains) immediately after an accident
Swelling can cause additional injuries. We recommend that you see a doctor immediately after you have been injured in an accident and ask your doctor if he/she can prescribe an anti-inflammatory. If an ambulance is called to the scene of your accident, take it to the hospital because it is important to be checked by a doctor as soon as possible, even if you are not in that much pain. Swelling in the first 48 hours can increase injuries and early treatment by a doctor to prevent swelling from occurring can leave you injury free after an accident. If you wait a few days to see a doctor, until you are in pain, it may be too late, after damaging swelling has caused further injury leaving you in pain for the rest of your life. Only a doctor can properly diagnose the extent of your injuries and the proper course of treatment. If I am injured, I apply cold (using ice in a towel or an ice pack) to an injured muscle immediately and during the first 48 hours after the accident; after 48 hours I apply heat. Do not apply heat within the first 48 hours, because heat can exacerbate an already hot and inflamed tissue. Immediately after an injury, to reduce swelling (even if I am not aware of any swelling so as to prevent any swelling from occurring), I also take an NSAID (Read important warning in red in this paragraph) (an acronym for Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs). I will take one of these two NSAIDs as follows (there are others that your doctor may recommend for you): (3) - 200mg Advil® (Ibuprofen) immediately after the accident/injury and then 3 times per day (once before going to sleep) 6 hours apart for 3 days (prolonged use may cause kidney damage); or one or two Aleve® 8 to 12 hours apart (once before going to sleep). Some doctors say that Aleve taken together with aspirin will work even better. Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are medications which, as well as having pain-relieving (analgesic) effects, have the effect of reducing inflammation, but can have deadly side effects. What I do for myself when injured may not be appropriate for you. You must first ask your doctor about taking any NSAID such as Aleve® (over the counter strength Naproxen Sodium) or Naprosyn (prescription strength Naproxen Sodium), which I have found to work much better than Ibuprofen. Even when you see your doctor, you must be familiar with the following WARNING: 1) Do NOT give anti inflamatories and pain relievers such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil®), naproxen sodium (Aleve®) or any medication containing salicylates to anyone 19 years of age or younger, unless directed by a physician, due to its association with Reye's syndrome, a potentially fatal condition. 2) Be sure to SEE YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY and get your doctor's approval before taking any medication, even over the counter NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium! (After an injury, you may NOT be aware of any internal bleeding! NSAIDs inhibit the blood from clotting and could cause DEATH when taken after an injury if there is any internal bleeding.). 3) Do NOT take NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen (such as Advil®) or naproxen sodium (such as Aleve®) if you have an ulcer because doing so can cause the ulcer to bleed and can cause DEATH by internal bleeding which you may NOT be aware of since the bleeding will be internal. 4) Do NOT take NSAIDs such as aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium if you have: a) had any ALCOHOL (NEVER drink alcohol when taking these medications); b) have ASTHMA; c) have an ALLERGY to aspirin or any NSAID; d) during PREGNANCY; e) during BREAST FEEDING; f) if you are on BLOOD THINNING AGENTS (anticoagulants) or if you are suffering from a DEFECT OF THE BLOOD CLOTTING SYSTEM (coagulation); g) have a KIDNEY impairment; h) have a HEART impairment; or i) have a LIVER impairment. 5) Recent studies have shown that people taking one of a class of drugs known as SSRI's (selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors) such as Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft and who also take NSAIDs such as Advil, Aleve Motrin, Vioxx, and Celebrex are at a 12 times greater risk of developing life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding than persons who take neither, thus it may be appropriate to avoid taking the two classes of drugs in combination. 5) NSAIDs and especially over the counter Aleve® also called naproxen sodium can cause ULCERS which can be very dangerous, even life threatening and should not be taken without a doctor's supervision and should not be taken for long periods of time.
Treatments & Exercises for Existing Back Injuries or to Avoid Back Injuries
HELPFUL PRODUCTS: The best insoles for shoes, weight belts, chairs and other helpful products.
STRETCHING:
1) While standing, keep your head straight up, place your hands on your lower back and lean backward for 10 seconds at a time several times a day;
2) Stretch the muscles in the back of your thigh called the hamstrings (this is very important). Sit on the floor (preferably carpeted) and bend your chest down to your right thigh keeping your chest, neck and head straight, almost parallel to your right leg (keeping your right leg straight out with the back of your leg flat on the floor) for several seconds (the left leg should be bent at the knee with with the bottom of your left foot facing your right knee). This will be difficult at first, so start by bending your right leg at the knee, to make it easier to bring your head to your right knee and to prevent straining your muscle. Do not exert enough pressure to cause pain. Then do this for your left leg. As your thighs become more flexible (in as little as a day or two), you will be able to straighten out your leg to the floor so eventually the outstretched leg will be completely parallel to the floor. Stretching these muscles will make your legs feel much better and will provide substantial relief for the lumbar spine (lower back);
3) You can also stretch your thigh muscles while standing. While holding on to something or leaning against the wall so you don't fall over, while standing on your left leg which should be kept straight, put your right leg up on top of a chair or couch, hold your right calf and straighten the right leg while bending towards your right leg. Do this for several seconds and repeat with the other leg.
EXERCISE:
1) While lying with your back on the floor, put your legs on top of a bed or couch with your knees bent, and lift your pelvis up 10 times;
2) Walk briskly for about 30 minutes a day, four times a week;
3) Swimming is a great way to strengthen the abdominal muscles and leg muscles. It also takes the pressure of gravity off of your back;
4) 2 pages of exercises Instructions & drawings. (will take 1-2 minutes to view, approximately 350KB).
Try wearing good running shoes. I tried out a couple of brands and found that "asics gel" was the most shock absorbent of the ones I tried. I also pulled out the insoles and replaced them with the "Sorbothane Ultra Sole" to further absorb shock. I have found this and the stretching exercises above substantially helped my lower back problems.
STRESS: Try reducing stress which can aggravate muscular problems. One way to help reduce stress is to make sure you get enough sleep and to make sure you get quality sleep. I take melatonin 1mg by Schiff which I get at Price Club/Costco. Some people believe that melatonin, a hormone normally created by the body, is produced in smaller quantities as a person ages, and that taking it as a supplement helps to improve sleep quality.
SUPPLEMENTS: Some people believe that taking glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may improve joint health and decrease joint pain. I take "Move Free" by Schiff which has 500mg Glucosamine Complex: Glucosamine Hydrochloride, N-Acetylglucosamine, & D-Glucosamine sulfate and 400mg Chondroitin sulfate, which I get at Costco. Fish oil and Vitamin E may also be of some help for Rheumatoid Arthritis according to Daily University Science News. If they are beneficial for Rheumatoid Arthritis, they may also be beneficial for traumatically induced arthritis.
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Airbag Safety: What You Need to Know by insweb
Doctors conclude air bags still safe after mastectomy, By Ann Job
Air Bags - National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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Child Safety Seats & School Bus Safety
Nissan's 12-page booklet, The What to Expect Guide to Car Seat Safety is available by calling 1-800-955-4500
EVERYTHING you could possibly want to know about INFANT & CHILD passenger safety!
ChildSafety.org - Child Passenger Safety Web: Are You Using It Right?
Free Online Child Safety Videos - by Partners for Child Passenger Safety and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. This site has some great information and has the following free online videos: Car Safety for Your Infant: Choosing and safely installing the best type of car seat for your new baby. Car Safety for Your Toddler: Is your toddler ready for a forward-facing car seat? Learn when to safely make the change and how to choose and correctly install a forward-facing seat. Car Safety for Your 4-to 8-year-old: Explains why kids who have outgrown car seats need to be in belt-positioning booster seats and which booster seat is best for your child. Car Safety for Your Older Child: Get information on the correct use of seat belts as well as teen car and driver safety. LATCH: Learn how to tell if your vehicle has the LATCH system and how to install a safety seat using this new method. Airbags: Children under 13 should not ride in the front seat of a vehicle with airbags. Learn why and how to prevent airbag injuries.
Tether Ancorages for Child Restraint Systems
School Bus Transportation for Children with Special Needs
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If you have to put your child in a shopping cart seat, be sure that the cart has a seatbelt and that you use it!. Although the seatbelt will NOT protect your child if the cart tips over, it will prevent your child from standing up which will make the cart unstable and likely to tip over. Do not lean on the handle bar while a child is in the seat! Since the cart is already prone to a rear tip over (because the weight of the child is at the rear of the cart and high over the center of gravity), leaning on the bar can easily cause the cart to tip backwards.
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GPS Personal Locators for Children
Wherify - wireless location services for children and people with Alzheimer's disease.
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"Your Child's Brain... on a Roller Coaster" - Do fast rides cause brain damage?
"Safe? How Safe?" - Interesting article at about.com with saftey tips and many links with more safety info.
Amusement Ride Safety - Learn how a roller coaster works and about passenger safety from an amusement ride consultant.
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Choosing the right size bicycle for your child
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute
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If you have a bunk bed or thinking of getting one, make sure that there is no more than a 3 1/2" gap between any of the slats or bars on the bed. 85% of manufacturers meet this voluntary standard, however, 15% of manufacturers do not. Wider gaps can allow a child to get its head caught in the space and suffer serious injuries or death.
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Crib Safety and SIDS Reduction - by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Crib Safety Checklist - The Danny Foundation
Laws Concerning Cribs - The Danny Foundation
The Danny Foundation - Recalls & Alerts; Law; Crib Safety
Crib Sheets: According to the November 1998 issue of Good Housekeeping, five infants under two years old may have died because their fitted crib sheets came loose. Children's safety advocates say that after repeated washings, many fitted crib sheets are too small for mattresses. The Good Housekeeping Institute washed and dried 23 sheets made by 14 manufacturers and found that most did not fit. The table below ranks (from best to worst) the sheets evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute.
The five sheets that measured up best all covered the mattress's sides, wrapped underneath at the corners by at least two inches, and required at least eight pounds of pull power to lift up a corner. Watch for the Dateline NBC/Good Housekeeping exclusive report on television on October 21 at 8 p.m. For more information, pick up a copy of the November issue of Good Housekeeping.
SHEET RANKING: (Best to Worst)*
1. Coming Home (Lands' End) 100% cotton $16
2. The Company Store 100% cotton $22
3. Eddie Bauer Home 100% cotton flannel $19
4. Eddie Bauer Home 100% cotton $21
5. Dormisett (The Company Store) 100% cotton flannel $19
6. Dundee Mills Inc. (Disney) 50% cotton/poly $6.99
7. KidsLine 100% cotton knit $10.99
8. Home Style for Kids 100% cotton flannel $6.75
9. Dundee Mills Inc. (Disney) 50% cotton/poly $8.99
10. Coming Home (Lands' End) 100% cotton flannel $15
11. Riegel 100% cotton $7.99
12. Riegel 100% cotton flannel $10.99
13. Sumersault, Ltd. 100% cotton $36
14. Fisher-Price Inc. 50% cotton/poly $7.99
15. Riegel (Sesame Street) 100% cotton $7.99
16. Riegel 50% cotton/poly $7.99
17. Sumersault 50% cotton/poly $29.99
18. Kooshies Baby Products 100% cotton flannel $10.99
19. Carters by Riegel 50% cotton/poly $7.99
20. Gerber 100% cotton $11.99
21. Simmons 100% cotton knit $14.99
22. Carters by Riegel 100% cotton flannel $9.99
*A total of 23 sheets was tested. One, however, was not ranked (Vidals Creations; 100% cotton knit; $14.99). Testing could not be completed due to the excessively loose fit of the sheet.
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DISCLAIMER: HURT-911® and The Center for Injury Assistance ® (hereafter known as "The Company") is an information provider and referral service available to the general public without charge. The information contained in this web site is solely for informational purposes, does not create a relationship between you and "The Company". The safety tips given here and products listed here are not recommendations for a particular individual and may apply only in general. Since each individual is different (ex. some people are allergic to aspirin or may have internal bleeding) only your doctor or a qualified expert knowledgeable about your particular situation, can safely advise you what to do. Information provided here does not, in any way, substitute for professional consultation and advice, generally or in a particular case.
"The Company" is pleased to provide links from our web site to other sites to assist the reader in locating useful information. "The Company" has no control over the content of the information at these other sites and can therefore not be held responsible for the quality, accuracy of content or results, completeness or type of content, any outcome of relying on any of the information provided by these outside sources, or the continued existence of the links, books and articles which are provided on this site. The fact that "The Company" has included links to providers, internet web sites, books and articles, does not serve as an endorsement. They are simply provided as a convenience, without charge to the general public when, in the opinion of "The Company", they may be of interest to those who have been HURT in an accident.
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Trademark/Copyright. HURT-911 ®, HURT911 ®, The Injury Assistance Line ® and The Center for Injury Assistance ® are protected service marks owned by Philip L. Franckel, Esq., registered with the United States Patent & Trademark Office and have been in continuous use since January 12, 1994. All material on all pages of this website is copyrighted and reproduction is prohibited.