Although people do it daily as part of their necessary routine, riding and driving in a vehicle are some of the most dangerous activities that the average person in our society does every day. Car accidents are one of the main causes of injuries in America, and people that have been involved in an altercation can suffer from a variety of injuries of different severities from the accident. Knowing what the best treatments for pain and soreness following a vehicular accident are can be an important part of ensuring that you heal as quickly and fully as possible.
One way that you can be sure to deal with soreness and pain after being involved in an accident is to visit a chiropractor. Depending on how bad the crash was, a person can experience the symptoms of injury (such as pain and stiffness) from just a few days following the accident, or for the rest of their life. With a professional chiropractor on your side, you can determine what exactly the problem is and figure out a treatment plan to cure the issue as best as possible.
Chiropractors have extensive training in lessening all sorts of pain, and they specialize in treating spinal issues such as misalignment. Many people suffer from spinal problems as a result of car accidents, and they are some of the most common injuries from them. A chiropractor can help to relieve your pain by using techniques such as repositioning and massaging areas of your back, shoulders, neck, and head, as well as spinal manipulation. They can also refer you to a specialist with any medical skills that are additionally needed for your treatment.
Another important method that can help with treatment is to focus on getting a good night’s rest consistently. If you notice that you are having a difficult time staying awake persistently throughout the day after being in a car accident, it might mean that you suffered a brain or head injury in the accident. It is normal for a car accident victim to experience some level of tiredness and soreness following an accident, but if the sleepiness and pain stick around for over a week, or your tiredness is severe, then it could mean that you are dealing with something more serious. In any case, it is important to seek out medical treatment right away after being in an automobile accident to confirm that you do not have an injury and haven’t realized it yet. It is also important to seek out medical attention to receive documentation in case you need to seek compensation later.
After someone that was a victim of a car accident is able to get back to their regular sleeping schedule, there are many different ways that you can help yourself sleep more comfortably. Many chiropractors have specific sleeping positions that they recommend to alleviate the pain caused by car accident injuries. If you sleep on your side, curled up into a fetal position with your knees bent, you can take some pressure off of your back. You can also achieve more comfortable sleep by using pillows. If you position a pillow under your neck, you can help to keep your spine in its proper alignment, and keeping a pillow in between your legs can help prevent your legs from twisting in your sleep and flipping you onto your back.
For less severe pain and temporary help, another option is over-the-counter pain relieving medication, which can be picked up at most grocery stores. There are some types of pain relievers that you do not ingest, such as Icy Hot, which can be applied to the area that is causing you pain. Pain relief can even be found in the simple methods of using an ice bag or hot pad to reduce swelling and soothe your pain. As you continue with chiropractic treatment, you will not have to rely on pain medication as often. Many people find relief with chiropractic treatment because it addresses the root structural cause of the problem instead of just putting a band-aid on the symptoms.
Visiting a chiropractor, getting over-the-counter medicine, and taking steps to sleep more comfortably can all help you to experience less pain following a car accident injury. There are other methods that people who experience pain in general should consider implementing into their daily lives to help them feel better. Firstly, you may want to take steps to lighten your load. This means that if you usually carry around a purse or backpack around, then you should think about making your load less heavy. This also means that if you have to lift a heavy item, you should make sure that you are bending at your knees and not using your back to bear the brunt of the weight. Remember, don’t lift with your back, lift with your legs!
Another priority that you should make is to ensure that you stretch! Even just taking five minutes of time to stretch before going to sleep or in the morning can help to prevent back pain. You should also always stretch before exercising. Not stretching increases your chances of getting an injury such as a muscle strain or sprain while you are exercising. You should also take the time to relax during the day. This can give your body and muscles time to recover and heal. If you have a job where you are walking all the time, think about making time to just rest for five-minute increments throughout the day, if possible. This can really do a lot to help you in the long run.
If you are experiencing pain from a car accident injury, then consider reaching out to us at Byers Chiropractic and Massage: Car Accident and Urgent Care today. We can guide you through different treatments and methods that can help you feel better and live a more fulfilling, pain-free life. Our treatment methods, in addition to lifestyle changes, can help your health improve drastically.