Every year, millions of Americans seek medical care for injuries sustained in motor vehicle accidents, seeking relief for painful symptoms. Even a seemingly minor accident can cause long-term pain if not managed early, but fortunately, you can do lots of things to find some relief.
At Easy Reach Chiropractic Physical Therapy & Rehab, Barbara Adonis, DC, and Heather Previll, PT, DPT, help patients in Lake Worth and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, recover following motor vehicle accidents, tailoring every treatment plan on an individual basis. In this post, learn some simple steps you can take to help you feel better.
Certainly, the first step in treating post-accident discomfort is to call our team and schedule an evaluation immediately. During your visit, we’ll evaluate your injuries, assess your symptoms, and develop a pain management plan based on your symptoms, injuries, medical history, lifestyle, and other factors unique to you.
Depending on your needs, your plan may include:
Most people benefit from a combination of therapies along with at-home activities to encourage healing.
In the early hours after an accident, applying ice on a regular basis helps reduce inflammation and its associated pain. Always wrap an ice pack (or frozen bag of peas) in a cloth before applying it to your skin for 15-20 minutes at a time.
After a day or two, using a heating pad or taking a warm bath helps relax stiff muscles and promote the circulation necessary for healing. As with any other recommendation on this list, call our office, and ask our team about using ice and heat first to ensure they’re appropriate for your injury.
Inflammation and swelling are common responses after a motor vehicle accident, including muscle swelling that you might not even see. Elevating the area that’s injured helps relieve inflammation and the throbbing, persistent pain it can cause. Combining elevation with rest gives your body the extra energy resources it needs to heal and recover.
Over-the-counter medicines can be effective in relieving both pain and inflammation. However, before taking any medication for your symptoms, it’s a good idea to call our office and consult with our team to make sure the medicine you’re taking is right for your type of injury. It’s even more important to check with us if you take other medication on a regular basis.
Gentle movement and stretching reduces stiffness that often follows motor vehicle accidents, and it also promotes natural healing responses. Plus, the right exercises can improve your mobility and reduce inflammation and soreness. However, it’s important not to try any exercises without consulting with our team first since some exercises could make your injuries worse.
Muscle tension is a common cause of pain, and that includes the tension and stress that typically follow accidents. Deep-breathing exercises, yoga, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation can all help relieve physical and emotional stress while helping your body “focus” on healing.
Although each of these options can provide relief for many types of accident-related pain, it’s important to seek medical care first. At-home therapies definitely have a place in most recovery plans, but sometimes, these options can make certain injuries worse, not better. Having a medical evaluation first ensures you get the right treatment without making the pain worse.
If you’ve been in a motor vehicle accident, our team is ready to help. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at Easy Reach Chiropractic today.
