At some point, after driving for many years, statistics show that you are more than likely to be involved in a motor vehicle crash. Whether its a minor fender bender or major impact, injuries can be debilitating.

Even if the damage to your vehicle is minor, you must remember that any vehicle that collides into another may cause serious damage to the musculoskeletal system. Most passenger vehicle weigh in excess of 1 ton (that is one thousand pounds). Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It can only be transferred (Newton's Law of Physics). Most energy transferred is to the center of gravity which in this case, is you, the driver or passenger.

Whether the impact is large or small, we recommend to get examined right away at a hospital emergency room or a physician who has experience with acute musculoskeletal trauma.If you choose a hopsital ER, your vitals will be assessed, x-rays may or may not be taken and a CT scan may or may not be ordered. Pain medication and anti-inflammartories may be prescribed. Most of the time, the ER doctors will not order physical therapy, but may suggest you see a specialist.

Our physicians at Advanced Physical Medicine Centers specialize in motor vehicle-related injuries. Whether you have a referral or not, we will work with you, the insurance company and your attorney to make sure your treatment is tailored to your presenting condition. There are several common conditions you may be diagnosed with including:

1. Whiplash (the most common injury; AKA; Cervical Sprain/Strain
2. Thoracic Strain (mid back)
3. Lumbar Strain (lower back)
4. Disc Syndromes (AKA; slipped discs)
5. Contusions (blunt trauma)
6. Concussions
7. Fractures and Dislocations
8. Rotator Cuff Injuries (shoulder)
9. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (hand and wrist)
10. Tendonitis (inflammation of the tendons)
11. Foot and Ankle Sprains/Strains
12. Mensicus and ACL/PCL Injuries (knee)
13. Spinal Injury (facet syndromes)
14. Small Joint Injury (elbow, fingers)

If you or a loved one was involved in a motor vehicle crash, whether big or small, contact us at APM and let us assist you in all your rehabilitation needs. Our staff includes doctors and therapists with over 16 years of clinical experience. At APM, your health is handmade.

Did you ever think that the legalization of medicinal cannabis would ever reach the State of Illinois? The pilot program in Illinois will include 39 conditions and diseases and applies for persons 18 years or older. The program has already begun and will run through April 2018. Illinois is the 20th State to legalize medical cannabis.

Prior to beginning an application, it is important that the applicant discuss the options with the physician and understand fully the benefits of medical cannabis. There are several forms that need to be filled out prior to state certification and they include: patient application form, caregiver application form, physician certification form and fingerprint consent form. You can obtain a vendor list for fingerprints by going to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation website or ask the certifying physician for assistance. For patients under the 18 year cutoff, there is still hope. Effective January 1, 2015, the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act will qualify those under 18 to access medical cannabis-infused food products to assist in alleviating the symptoms that arise from debilitating diseases (again outlined in the 39 conditions accepted by the Act). In order to perform an evaluation of a patient, your doctor must be a qualifying MD or DO who is licensed under the Medical Practice Act of 1987, and must have a controlled substances license.

Listed below are most of the "Debilitating Medical Condition" covered in the Act:

1. Cancer
2. Glaucoma
3. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
4. Hepatitis C
5. Crohn's Disease
6. agitation of Alzheimer's Disease
7. Myasthenia Travis
8. Hydrocephalus
9. Residual Limb Pain
10. Nail-Patella Syndrome
11. Muscular Dystrophy
12. Severe Fibromyalgia
13. Spinal Cord Disease (including but not limited to arachnoiditis)
14. Tarlov Cysts
15. Hydromyelia
16. Rheumatoid Arthritis
17. Fibrous Dysplasia
18. Spinal Cord Injury
19. Syringomyelia
20. Traumatic Brain Injury and Post-Concussive-Syndrome
21. Multiple Sclerosis
22. Arnold-Chiari Malformation and Syringomyelia
23. Cachexia/Wasting Syndrome
24. Spinocerebellar Ataxia
25. Parkinson's Syndrome
26. Tourette's Syndrome
27. Dystonia
28. Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
29. CRPS (complex regional pain syndrome Type II)
30. positive status for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
31. acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
32. Chornic Inflammatory Demyelinating polyneuropathy
33. Neurofibromatosis
34. Causalgia
35. Sjogren's Syndrome
36. Lupus
37. Interstitial Cysitis
38. Myoclonus
39. any other debilitating medical condition or its treatment that is added to the Illinois Department of Public Health by rule as provided in Section 45.

Most narcotics are addicting and cause harm to the human body. Studies have proven that Cannabis is safe and effective in alleviating pain and discomfort as well as symptomatology associated with specific medical conditions (listed above).

Advanced Physical Medicine Centers is now providing evaluations for those interested in the pilot program. It is most important, that before asking assistance to become certified, that you have reviewed the list of medical conditions. Our physicians are educated on the effects and uses of Medical Cannabis, and we have partnered with Medical Cannabis Outreach to assist with the certification process.

The process of certification can be costly, and it is not covered by insurance at this time. It is our recommendation that only those who have a serious debilitating condition apply. We are happy to assist any person who is interested in the program.

The information above is for "informational purposes" only. Anyone interested in learning further may go the the IDPH website.