A motor vehicle accident can happen in seconds, but the pain and discomfort caused by an injury may last much longer. Neck pain, back pain, headaches, stiffness, muscle soreness, and limited mobility are common following a car accident. In some cases, symptoms may not become noticeable until hours or even days later.
If you are experiencing pain following a motor vehicle accident, there are several steps that may help you manage your symptoms while your body recovers.
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After a motor vehicle accident, it is important to have your injuries properly evaluated. Even when an accident appears minor, the force of the collision can affect the muscles, joints, ligaments, spinal discs, and nerves.
At Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, we evaluate motor vehicle accident injuries to determine which areas have been affected and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your symptoms, examination findings, and functional limitations.
Use Ice and Heat
Ice may help temporarily reduce pain and swelling during the early stages of certain injuries. Place a towel or cloth between the ice pack and your skin and avoid leaving ice directly on the skin.
As the injury progresses, heat may be helpful for muscle tightness and stiffness. Because every injury is different, your healthcare provider can advise you whether ice, heat, or a combination of the two is appropriate for your condition.
Elevate the Injury
If your motor vehicle accident caused an injury to an arm, leg, ankle, or another extremity with swelling, elevation may help reduce swelling and discomfort.
When appropriate, elevate the injured area comfortably above the level of the heart. Significant swelling, worsening pain, discoloration, numbness, or difficulty using the injured area should be medically evaluated.
Use Over-the-Counter Medicine Carefully
Over-the-counter pain relievers may provide temporary relief from pain or inflammation for some individuals. However, medications are not appropriate for everyone and may interact with prescription medications or certain medical conditions.
Speak with an appropriate healthcare professional or pharmacist before starting or changing medication, particularly if you take other medications or have an existing medical condition.
Try Gentle Stretching
Gentle stretching and movement may help decrease stiffness and maintain mobility following certain motor vehicle accident injuries.
However, stretching should not significantly increase your pain. If a movement causes sharp pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, dizziness, or pain traveling into an arm or leg, stop and discuss those symptoms with your healthcare provider.
Physical therapy and rehabilitation can also help patients safely restore flexibility, strength, balance, and function following an accident.
Find Ways to Relax
A motor vehicle accident can be stressful both physically and emotionally. Stress may contribute to muscle tension, headaches, difficulty sleeping, and increased discomfort.
Deep breathing, relaxation techniques, appropriate rest, and gentle movement may help decrease tension while you recover. Maintaining comfortable sleeping and sitting positions can also help avoid unnecessary strain on an injured neck or back.h Florida communities.
Relief for Your Painful Symptoms
Motor vehicle accident injuries can affect different areas of the body and may require different types of care. At Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, treatment is individualized according to each patient’s condition and examination findings.
Depending on your needs, conservative treatment may include chiropractic care, physical therapy and rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise, laser therapy, spinal decompression when appropriate, and other treatment methods designed to improve mobility and function.
Don’t Ignore Delayed Symptoms After a Car Accident
You may feel relatively well immediately following an accident and begin experiencing symptoms later. Whiplash, neck stiffness, headaches, back pain, muscle soreness, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms can sometimes become more noticeable after the initial stress of the collision has passed.
New, persistent, or worsening symptoms following a motor vehicle accident should be properly evaluated.
Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Treatment at Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy
If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, headaches, decreased mobility, or other symptoms following a car accident, Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy can evaluate your condition and develop an individualized treatment plan.
Our goal is to help reduce discomfort, restore mobility and function, and help you safely return to your normal work and daily activities.
Contact Easy Reach Chiropractic & Physical Therapy to schedule a motor vehicle accident injury evaluation.