Accidents are unfortunate events that don’t come with a warning. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5 million car accidents reported by the police in 2020. 43% of these accidents resulted in passenger injuries. The aftereffects of such accidents can be a nuisance to deal with. Despite immediate medical attention and injury treatment, accidents can have a long-term impact on your body and its performance.
Although your bruises or injuries from an accident may heal, you will likely endure soreness, stiffness, or pain, which will take time to fade. The pain can also intensify or last longer if not dealt with sensibly. If you’ve suffered an accident recently, you should read on to find a few helpful ways to lessen your pain and recover faster.
Visit a Chiropractor
Most of the time, spinal pain or neck stiffness can limit your movement. Despite seeking medical attention and taking prescribed medications, you might notice slow progress in pain relief. Your doctor will likely suggest you visit a chiropractor. Chiropractic adjustment can improve your physical mobility and relieve strain on your muscles. Chiropractors are healthcare professionals who use their hands or different tools to apply controlled force to your spine, muscles, and joints.
An accident injury chiropractor will assess your trigger points and apply pressure to reduce pain. They can detect muscle knots and loosen them instantly with different techniques. Since a chiropractor has to apply different manipulative tactics on your muscles, it’s best to seek help from the best professional. Yuba Sutter Chiropractic Est. 2017 provides specialized services for auto accident victims.
Try Yoga and Gentle Stretching
Yoga and stretching are great ways to improve your motion range and breathing. You should try yoga to regain muscle strength and flexibility. Yoga focuses on relaxation and breathing techniques and involves different postures that reduce pain and stiffness. Although you can do yoga all on your own, since your body is still recovering, it’s important to consult an instructor who could demonstrate different safe postures for you to practice.
Besides, gentle stretching exercises and deep breathing can relax your stiff muscles and provide oxygen for better functioning. You might initially consult a physical therapist, who might demonstrate different exercises to try on your own. Starting for a few minutes, in the beginning, you can gradually increase your exercise regime over time.
Drink Plenty of Water
You must have noticed athletes drinking gallons of water throughout their workouts. Water plays a significant role in easing muscle tension and soreness. It also reduces inflammation in the body. Dehydrated muscles can cause stiffness and frequent cramps, making your healing process even more challenging. It’s best to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily.
Consume a Healthy Diet
What you eat will determine the speed of your recovery. You should incorporate protein-rich foods in your diet, like lean meat, eggs, beans, and nuts. Protein is the primary nutrient for the regeneration of tissue and muscles. Moreover, since your body might be prone to inflammation, it’s essential to take food rich in vitamin C. It is an anti-inflammatory and acts as an antioxidant. Citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, and berries are loaded with vitamin C.
Muscle pain or soreness post-accident is likely to limit your everyday movement. You won’t be able to work out or exercise like you used to. Chances are that you might gain weight. To prevent this, you can avoid consuming sugary and calorie-rich foods. You should also avoid overeating. One way to do this is to eat fiber-rich food. Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are great sources of fiber that can keep you full for a longer time.
Get Proper Rest
Many people struggle to get a good night’s sleep post-accident. The aches and stiffness can cause discomfort and distress. However, getting enough rest is vital for recovery. There are many ways you can relax when lying down to rest. Your chiropractor can suggest different sleeping postures that even aid muscle pain relief. You could even enjoy a gentle massage that can loosen any muscle knots and help you get good sleep.
Moreover, you can try different pillows to support different sleeping positions. A pillow under your neck can alleviate spinal pain. You can even try medicated mattresses to help spine alignment while you sleep.
You must maintain a good posture throughout the day and avoid slouching or lying on the couch or chair, which could aggravate pain.
Try Pain-Relievers
Sometimes the pain can intensify because of a jerk or during gentle exercise. Instead of rushing to the doctor each time, you can try pain-relieving tricks at home. It’s important to keep some OTC painkiller medicines at home, like Motrin and Tylenol. These are commonly recommended medicines to reduce pain instantly.
Moreover, if you feel constant muscle pain or stiffness causing discomfort, you can apply a hot pack to the affected area. However, if you see swelling or inflammation, you can apply a cold pack that will instantly soothe the area.
Another effective pain-relieving trick is to meditate. Often people feel less control over their bodies because of accident injuries. Meditation can help your mind regain that control over your body and make you feel good about yourself.
Conclusion
Auto accidents can be traumatizing. But we must try our best to recover from the injuries and pain. Although bruises and wounds might heal in a few weeks, the muscle and spinal pain and stiffness may last for months. If left neglected, it can last longer and become more serious. You can follow a few tips that can help reduce the pain and speed up the recovery process.
You should visit a chiropractor who can instantly alleviate pain with spinal manipulation and recommend the best sleeping postures. You can try regular stretching exercises or yoga at home to improve motion range and muscle movement. To aid tissue regeneration of your muscle, you must focus on healthy eating and staying hydrated. Your body needs more protein, vitamin C, and fiber during recovery. Lastly, you can try quick pain-relieving tricks if you feel pain aggravating: keep a few painkillers with you or a hot or cold pack.
