Pain is common after a car accident, stemming from different injuries ranging from minor to severe.
While some pain is temporary, others can become permanent or chronic. One study finds that 45 percent of individuals involved in a vehicle accident experienced road crash-related chronic pain two years after the incident.
Disregarding pain after a car crash can be dangerous. Pain is a typical indicator that something is wrong. Hence, getting pain care as soon as possible is crucial, as hidden injuries may be present.
Pain management is integral for car accident recovery, whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or minor discomfort. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some essential steps to help you manage pain effectively after a car crash.
Seek Prompt Medical Care
Even if you feel fine, seeking prompt medical care from a physician is crucial. It’s an indispensable component of pain management. Muscle pain and soreness can be standalone effects of an accident. Likewise, they can be signs of something more severe in some car accident cases.
A general practitioner might refer you to a pain specialist who can accurately diagnose, treat, and manage your pain problems. They can perform further examinations to check for underlying issues, helping them rule out medical problems and focus on treating your injuries.
Take Pain Medications as Prescribed
Doctors may also prescribe medications to manage and treat acute or chronic pain after a car accident injury. Muscle relaxants, pain relievers, and anti-inflammatory drugs are typical medicines recommended for pain management.
It’s essential to take pain medications as instructed by your doctor properly. Follow the dosing instructions to manage your pain well and prevent any adverse side effects. Your physician knows the safest and most effective medicines for car accident-related pain.
Cooperate With Physical Therapists
Physical therapy is another critical component of effective pain management. Expect your primary care doctor to refer you to a physical therapist. They can work together to develop a personalized treatment plan that will tackle your specific pain problems.
Physical therapy aims to strengthen the affected areas where you’re experiencing pain and restore their proper function and range of motion. Depending on the extent of your injury, the physical therapist may recommend a walker for adults and other mobility aids to help you move from one place to another until you fully recover.
Utilize Relaxation Techniques
Pain resulting from a car accident injury can profoundly affect your daily life, impeding your ability to perform routine activities. Dealing with pain and other aftermaths of the crash can eventually cause emotional trauma and mental anguish.
Utilizing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or yoga can effectively manage the injuries you suffered and the discomfort that comes with them. Moreover, it’s beneficial in enhancing your overall quality of life and alleviating the pain commonly associated with car accidents.
Get the Proper Amount of Sleep
Rest is essential to car accident recovery, allowing the body to heal and fully rebuild injured tissues. Your doctor may give you an idea of how long you should rest. But pay attention to how you feel and ensure you get the proper sleep.
It can be tempting to avoid the recommended period. Doing so, however, can lead to increased healing times and secondary injuries. If you want to expedite the healing process, prioritize having sufficient sleep, which helps stimulate growth and repair any tissues.
Increase Water Intake
The body may get dehydrated faster after sustaining a car accident injury. Staying hydrated is essential when your body is still experiencing pain and recovering from an injury.
Proper hydration aids in reducing inflammation and swelling, promoting increased blood flow and the transport of nutrients to the injured areas. Increasing your water can speed up healing, helping you fully recover from the pain and regain normal movement faster.
Monitor Daily Pain Levels
A pain journal is beneficial for recording any discomfort during daily activities. Describe the pain and its location and rate it on a scale of one to ten, with one constituting no pain and ten representing the worst. It’s also crucial to note what you did when the pain occurred and how it affected your daily life or work.
Get the Help You Need To Recover Faster
Pain is one possible outcome after sustaining an injury in a car accident. You may experience other symptoms, impacting your overall quality of life and well-being. This pain management guide is helpful, but don’t limit yourself to it. Ensure you get the help you need to recover faster and live back to normal.