Auto accidents happen on a daily basis. Many people don't know what to do or how to take care of themselves following an accident. Many people choose not to get any treatment. Those that are hurting immediately after typically go to an emergency room or urgent care center and receive a prescription for muscle relaxers and pain relievers. This treatment does not do anything in the long run to help your body fully recover from an accident. For one, your body is intelligent. If there is an area of instability the body will react by tightening the muscles to act as a "splint" to guard the area against further injury. So taking the muscle relaxers can weaken the effectiveness of that splint and allow your body to be injured more. This creates more pain and the necessity for more pain killers. It takes a minimum of 5-8 miles per hour collision to do damage to your car but it only takes 3-5 miles per hour to do damage to your body So what do you do? How do you know if you have any damage done to yourself that needs attention?
TECH NECK or NECK PAIN
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B. |
C. |
How do I know if I should be seen following an accident?
As mentioned before, pain relievers and muscle relaxers are not very effective in long term repair of the body and taking care of the unstable/sprained segments of the spine. As long as there is not a break, or a completely torn ligament leading to severe instability of a section requiring surgery; the best treatment for the body to recover is:
Please remember if you have been in an accident, your body has experienced a trauma and it is going to take time to get you feeling better and it is a process to get you back to your 100%. Treating the sprains and strengthening an area of instability is like getting braces on to take care of crooked teeth. It takes time to do the job properly!
- Passive Therapy to reduce pain
- Correct the misalignments through Chiropractic care
- Massage from a Licensed Massage Therapist to work out the tense muscles at the proper time
- Active Exercises to stretch the tight muscles and strengthen the area.
- Depending on severity of injuries, co-treat with other practitioners to make sure the patient is getting the best care possible.
Please remember if you have been in an accident, your body has experienced a trauma and it is going to take time to get you feeling better and it is a process to get you back to your 100%. Treating the sprains and strengthening an area of instability is like getting braces on to take care of crooked teeth. It takes time to do the job properly!
