High-Impact Injury Care for Sports and Accidents

How Sports and Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries Overlap and Dr. Jimenez’s Holistic Approach to Recovery

Injuries from sports and motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) often share striking similarities due to the high-impact forces, sudden deceleration, or forceful twisting motions involved. Whether it’s a tackle in football or a collision on the highway, the body endures comparable stresses that lead to similar injuries like concussions, fractures, and sprains. At El Paso’s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center, Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, leverages his dual expertise as a chiropractor and nurse practitioner to provide holistic, patient-centered care. Our clinic uses integrative medicine, advanced diagnostics, and personalized treatment plans to help patients recover naturally and prevent long-term complications. The severity of these injuries depends on the force and circumstances, and we’re here to guide you through every step of your recovery journey.

Common Injuries in Sports and MVAs

Both sports and MVAs can result in traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), fractures, sprains, and strains due to intense forces. Concussions, a common TBI, occur in sports like football when a hit causes the brain to shift within the skull, leading to symptoms such as headaches or dizziness (Skinner Firm, n.d.). Similarly, MVAs can cause concussions when the head strikes an object or moves violently during a crash (Boohoff Law, n.d.). These shared mechanisms highlight how rapid forces impact the brain in both contexts.

Fractures are another frequent injury. A fall during a soccer game or a car accident can break bones, with severity depending on the force’s intensity and direction (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases [NIAMS], n.d.). For example, rib fractures vary based on individual anatomy and impact angle, as noted in biomechanics research (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [NHTSA], n.d.). Our clinic uses advanced imaging to assess fractures and create tailored rehabilitation plans.

Sprains and strains, involving stretched or torn ligaments, muscles, or tendons, are common in both scenarios. In sports, twisting motions during activities like basketball often lead to ankle or knee sprains (Therasport, n.d.; Dubuque Physical Therapy, n.d.; The Smith Clinic, n.d.). In MVAs, rapid deceleration can cause similar sprains, particularly in the neck, resulting in whiplash (Indiana Department of Health, n.d.). Neck sprains are prevalent in both cycling accidents and car crashes, especially rear-end collisions (PubMed Central [PMC], 2011; Stroud Law, n.d.).

The severity of these injuries hinges on specific factors. In sports, protective gear like helmets can reduce concussion risk, while in MVAs, seatbelts and airbags can lessen damage (Brown Health, n.d.; Advanced Ortho, n.d.). The force’s intensity, speed, and body positioning all influence outcomes. At our clinic, we tailor treatments to these factors, ensuring care aligns with each patient’s unique injury profile.

References

• Advanced Ortho. (n.d.). Sports medicine: Treating common high school sports injuries. https://advancedortho.org/sports-medicine-treating-common-high-school-sports-injuries/
• Boohoff Law. (n.d.). Common types of injuries. https://www.boohofflaw.com/common-types-of-injuries/
• Brown Health. (n.d.). Types of sports injuries and how they’re treated. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/types-sports-injuries-and-how-theyre-treated
• Dubuque Physical Therapy. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://dubuquephysicaltherapy.com/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/
• Indiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Mechanism of injury. https://www.in.gov/health/trauma-system/files/Mechanism_of_injury.pdf
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Biomechanics. https://www.nhtsa.gov/research/biomechanics
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Sports injuries–Types, symptoms, & risk factors. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries
• PubMed Central. (2011). Neck sprain (33 %) was the most common injury among cyclists. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3217388/
• Skinner Firm. (n.d.). Understanding common accidents injuries. https://skinnerfirm.com/blog/understanding-common-accidents-injuries/
• Stroud Law. (n.d.). What are common car accident injuries?. https://www.stroudlawyers.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-are-common-car-accident-injuries/
• The Smith Clinic. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://thesmithclinic.com/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/
• Therasport. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://therasport.org/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/

Dr. Alex Jimenez: Leading MVA Recovery with Integrative Care

Dr. Alex Jimenez, a board-certified chiropractor and family nurse practitioner, leads our El Paso clinic with a passion for helping MVA patients recover fully. His unique blend of chiropractic expertise, functional medicine, and advanced medical training allows him to address both immediate injuries and their underlying causes, promoting natural healing and long-term wellness.

Dual-Scope Diagnosis and Personalized Treatment

Dr. Jimenez uses a dual-scope diagnosis to connect injuries to the mechanics of an accident. For instance, he might link whiplash-related neck pain to the rapid deceleration of a rear-end collision, assessing both visible symptoms and underlying issues like spinal misalignment. This approach informs personalized treatment plans that integrate chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, and functional medicine. Our team, including top rehabilitation specialists, collaborates to ensure comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s needs.

Advanced Diagnostics and Imaging

Our clinic employs advanced diagnostic tools like X-rays, MRIs, and the Living Matrix Functional Medicine Assessment to identify injuries such as fractures, disc herniations, or soft tissue damage. These assessments provide a clear picture of the injury’s extent, guiding precise treatment plans. For example, imaging might reveal a hidden spinal issue contributing to chronic pain, which Dr. Jimenez targets with specific therapies. This thorough approach supports both recovery and legal documentation.

Medical and Legal Expertise

Dr. Jimenez’s dual expertise allows him to manage both medical treatment and legal paperwork for personal injury cases. After an MVA, patients often face insurance claims or lawsuits. He meticulously documents injuries, linking them to the accident, and prepares detailed reports to support legal claims. This streamlined process helps patients focus on healing while ensuring their claims are backed by accurate medical evidence.

Holistic Recovery Through Integrative Medicine

Our clinic combines chiropractic care, acupuncture, electro-acupuncture, nutrition counseling, and functional medicine to promote natural healing. Chiropractic adjustments correct spinal and joint misalignments, addressing issues like whiplash or back pain. Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture reduce pain and inflammation naturally, while nutrition counseling supports tissue repair and overall health. Functional medicine evaluates lifestyle, environmental, and genetic factors to prevent chronic issues like pain or reduced mobility.

For example, an MVA patient with a sprained ankle might receive chiropractic adjustments to restore alignment, acupuncture for pain relief, nutrition advice to support healing, and tailored exercises to rebuild strength. This integrative approach, rooted in our commitment to functional wellness, ensures faster recovery and long-term health. By addressing both the injury and its broader impact, we help patients return to a pain-free, active lifestyle in El Paso’s vibrant community.

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References

Advanced Ortho. (n.d.). Sports medicine: Treating common high school sports injuries. https://advancedortho.org/sports-medicine-treating-common-high-school-sports-injuries/

Boohoff Law. (n.d.). Common types of injuries. https://www.boohofflaw.com/common-types-of-injuries/

Brown Health. (n.d.). Types of sports injuries and how they’re treated. https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/types-sports-injuries-and-how-theyre-treated

Dubuque Physical Therapy. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://dubuquephysicaltherapy.com/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/

Indiana Department of Health. (n.d.). Mechanism of injury. https://www.in.gov/health/trauma-system/files/Mechanism_of_injury.pdf

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Facebook reel. https://www.facebook.com/reel/24240689962228572

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Instagram reel. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DMXxvgsiwAt/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. https://www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Pinterest pin. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/1132936850022111288/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). WhatsApp channel. https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaLL6qY3rZZiMGQ0S32u/364

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (n.d.). Biomechanics. https://www.nhtsa.gov/research/biomechanics

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. (n.d.). Sports injuries–Types, symptoms, & risk factors. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/sports-injuries

PubMed Central. (2011). Neck sprain (33 %) was the most common injury among cyclists. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3217388/

Skinner Firm. (n.d.). Understanding common accidents injuries. https://skinnerfirm.com/blog/understanding-common-accidents-injuries/

Stroud Law. (n.d.). What are common car accident injuries?. https://www.stroudlawyers.com/frequently-asked-questions/what-are-common-car-accident-injuries/

The Smith Clinic. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://thesmithclinic.com/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/

Therasport. (n.d.). Physical therapy clinic services: Sports injuries. https://therasport.org/physical-therapy-clinic-services/sports-injuries/

Three Best Rated. (n.d.). Threads post. https://www.threads.com/@threebestratedofficial/post/DMXxwzOieix

Three Best Rated. (2025, May 23). Twitter post. https://x.com/threebestrated/status/1947288030055678043