- May 28, 2022
There’s always the chance of getting into an auto accident as long as you use the roads in Florida. Available data shows that there are thousands of accidents in Florida annually with several casualties. Fortunately, most auto accident victims in Florida survive, although some have severe injuries.
If you’ve been in a car accident or know someone who has, there are chances that you may be in pain even though you have no physical injuries. A doctor can help with injuries, but pain and soreness can be tricky. Our auto accident doctor can explain more about how to deal with the pain and soreness that often follows a traffic collision.
Do I Need Medical Treatment After a Car Accident?
Many people will not see a doctor after an auto accident because they do not feel any pain or see any injuries. However, it is important to remember that the absence of physical injuries does not mean you won’t deal with pain and soreness after a car crash. Our bodies have a defense mechanism that deploys when we are in danger.
Usually, the body releases adrenaline, which frequently masks the pain we should feel. But unfortunately, it does not hide the pain forever. You may feel aches shortly after an auto accident.
Seeing a medical professional can help you detect potentially serious injuries, enabling you to treat them on time. However, this is not all you gain from seeing a medical professional early. You get to build a trail of evidence that could be valuable if you decide to pursue a personal injury case.
Fort Myers Auto Accident Doctor Explains How to Relieve Muscle Pain After a Car Crash
So, you’ve been in an accident but fortunately sustained no injuries. However, your muscles ache or are sore, and you are in pain. How can you get some relief? Our Fort Myers auto accident doctor has some answers:
See a Doctor
Seeing a doctor should always be your priority after an accident. Sometimes, muscle pain and soreness are standalone effects of a crash. However, in some cases, they could indicate something more serious. The only way to be certain is to visit a doctor.
To get an accurate diagnosis, a doctor will put you through a few tests, including an X-ray, computed tomography (CT scan), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Consequently, treatment may be prescribed depending on your test results. Always follow the treatment recommended by your doctor to get the maximum benefits.
Rest
The benefits of rest don’t just apply when you’re tired or stressed. Rest is a vital tool for healing, and your soreness or pain is not an exception. Get as much rest as possible in the days following your accident. There’s no specific duration for how long you should relax, so pay attention to how you feel.
You can also speak to a doctor to get an idea of how long you should rest. It’s crucial that you relax during this period. Not many people enjoy being idle, but your body needs it.
Don’t do anything that could stress your muscles and worsen your injuries. Requesting to take time off work is a good idea. An essential part of rest has to do with your sleep. Therefore, ensure you get adequate sleep at all times. Since you may be in pain, work with a chiropractor to determine the best way to sleep.
Stay Hydrated
We understand how vital water is to our digestion. However, staying hydrated can also give your muscles the time to heal. When you don’t drink enough water, your muscles do not get the electrolytes needed to function optimally. This could lead to a loss of strength.
The synovial fluid helps to lubricate your joints, allowing for easy movement. Water is an important component of the synovial fluid, and not getting enough water could be detrimental to your recovery. Finally, drinking water helps to speed up your recovery time.
Yoga
The practice of yoga has grown significantly in recent times. Although it originated in India and some parts of the Middle East, it is now a widespread phenomenon adopted by people worldwide. For most people, yoga is used for meditation, but that’s not all the benefits that can be derived from it.
Yoga has been used by people looking to work on their breathing and posture. It can also be helpful for those with muscle pain. Some yoga practices involve stretching the muscles and can be used to heal injured muscles and speed up injury recovery time.
Physical Therapy
You can engage in physical therapy at any point in the healing process. It can also be a standalone option or supported by other treatments. When you visit a physical therapist, they will conduct a physical examination to evaluate your condition.
Based on their diagnosis results, they will give a prognosis and a treatment plan, often subject to your acceptance. They could also prescribe exercises for you to perform at home in addition to physical therapy. In some cases, they may define a diet plan that you should follow.
Common physical therapy techniques include:
- Stretching and strength training: Your physiotherapist can teach you different types of stretching exercises to alleviate muscle soreness after a car crash.
- Electrical muscle stimulation (E-STIM): During E-STIM, your provider will use a small device to send electric pulses to the site of your soreness. This can help address your pain and any inflammation.
- Rehabilitative therapy: Rehabilitation can help improve your range of motion after a car accident. It is also often used to rebuild your muscle strength if you needed a lot of downtime after the accident.
- Ultrasound therapy: This type of therapy sends sound waves to your muscle tissue to provide gentle relief and encourage blood flow to the area.
Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another option that can help you get some relief from pain. This could be deep tissue massage, stone therapy, or general massage. Ensure that you inform your massage therapist of your accident so that they do not do anything that could worsen the injuries.
There has been debate on the effectiveness of massage in treating injuries. Still, research suggests that massage speeds up muscle healing.
Eat a Healthy Diet
What you eat impacts your health, and muscle pain or soreness is not an exception. While you recover, eat a nutritious diet filled with plenty of vitamins and protein to help repair tissue damage.
Eat many fruits and vegetables and try to stay away from unhealthy food until after you’re fully recovered. No single food will make you recover, so you should eat a well-balanced diet.
Common Types of Injuries That Could Lead to Muscle Soreness and Pain After an Auto Accident
Living with the soreness and pain that often follows a car accident is frustrating. Until you know what type of injury you’re suffering from, it’s difficult to understand how to treat your condition and how long your symptoms will last.
Depending on the type of accident you were involved in, you may be dealing with:
Whiplash
Whiplash happens when your head whips back and forth in a car accident. While generally caused in rear-end accidents, whiplash can be the result of any type of crash.
This type of injury is known to lead to muscle soreness. Your neck might also be stiff and painful to move. You may benefit from chiropractic or physical therapy treatment to address your whiplash injury symptoms.
Muscle Sprains and Strains
You could experience a muscle strain in any part of your body following a car accident. This type of injury can cause a range of other problems, such as weakness, pain, swelling, and limited movement. While some patients can treat a muscle sprain at home, others may benefit from regular physical therapy to speed healing.
Back Injuries
Back pain can arise from tight muscles, spinal fractures, and a range of other injuries. If you experience back pain, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Back injuries are serious, and they can lead to prolonged soreness and pain if left untreated. Depending on your injury, your doctor might prescribe massage therapy, chiropractic care, or physiotherapy techniques like stretching.
Get Help From Our Fort Myers Auto Accident Doctor
Get medical treatment after an auto accident, even if you feel you did not suffer injuries. Any delay could lead to worse conditions that could have been avoided. Therefore, it is in your best interest to seek medical help as soon as possible.
Our services at Specific Care Chiropractic emphasize the need to avoid or prevent injuries. However, we acknowledge that there are patients who may already be in pain and need the relief that chiropractic can offer. We offer personalized care tailored to your condition. Contact us for injury treatment in Fort Myers today to begin your journey to wellness. Dial (239) 369-9109.
