Have you recently experienced a car accident?

You’re not alone.

20-50 million people are injured or disabled due to car accidents every year. Of this number, scores struggle with chronic pain for many years after the incident itself.

Even if you do seek treatment, you may feel as if you’ll never recover.

However, it is possible to resolve car accident pain in a variety of ways. Effectively managing your symptoms can ensure that your full recovery comes sooner rather than later.

Read on for insight into how to heal from a car accident.

1. Get a Full Medical Evaluation

If you haven’t done so already, consult a medical professional immediately to obtain an evaluation. A full-body evaluation is the best way to understand what is causing your car accident pain and what you can do to treat it

This is particularly critical as many people who experience car accidents sustain internal damage they may not feel at the time of the incident. Other physical pain may appear weeks, months, or even years after a collision.

Whiplash, for example, is one such sneaky condition that may not be evident right away.

Even if you experienced your accident several days, weeks, or months ago, speak with your physician. Request x-rays and brain scans if applicable to ensure that you’ve identified all sources of pain.

2. Document Your Symptoms

It’s essential to build a healthy awareness of your car accident pain itself. If any changes in symptoms do occur, you may need to return to the doctor for further aid.

Keep a simple diary of your symptoms as soon as they are evident to you. Be as specific as possible, jotting down differences, severity of pain, and site of the pain itself.

This documentation can also be valuable for insurance or legal purposes, if applicable. Find out more about car accident settlements here.

Your physician will also appreciate your diligence in recording your car accident pain.

3. Build a Support Network

It’s easy to feel isolated after a car accident. In fact, even if you are not currently in physical shock following a collision, your nervous system may very well be.

Many car accident survivors have difficulty managing the pain of psychological trauma in the wake of the incident. Sometimes their bodies stay in permanent “fight or flight” mode, activating stress hormones and inhibiting meaningful rest.

In this case, it’s important to build a support network you can rely on as you experience your healing journey.

Communicate with friends and family members about your experience. Let them know how they can support you as you recover from the incident.

Your medical practitioner may also have advice for physical support networks, such as physical therapy.

4. Pursue Psychotherapy

A car accident is a deeply traumatic experience. Its particulars can become engrafted onto an individual’s consciousness. Some people find it difficult to drive as they undergo car accident recovery.

Others may develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), a condition that emerges in the wake of a serious trauma.

If you are struggling to emotionally manage your car accident pain, consider pursuing psychotherapy. A dedicated counselor or therapist can give you the tools you need to mentally recover from your incident.

5. Try Out Alternative Medicine

A lot of alternative healing modalities exist to help individuals recover from car accidents. They are designed to assist people with all kinds of chronic pain, emotional trauma, post-accident fatigue, and more.

In fact, over 38% of Americans rely on alternative medicine of some kind to treat various ailments and conditions.

If you are looking for something to supplement a physical therapy regime, or don’t want to take those painkillers anymore, consider alternative medicine.

Acupuncture, for example, is an ancient Chinese practice that has been effectively treating all kinds of bodily pain for centuries. It is also ideal for accident survivors who are recovering from emotional trauma.

Acutonics, which performs healing through vibration and sound, has had similar positive influence in individuals’ recoveries.

You may also wish to check out aromatherapy, which uses the power of scent to influence physical and emotional experience.

Other modalities to experience include Ayurvedic medicine, reflexology, and acupressure.

6. Rest

You may be tempted to hit the ground running after your car accident. After all, you have a job to get back to, a family to manage, or a project to complete.

It is entirely natural to want to return to your normal life after a traumatic incident. Nonetheless, it’s essential to give your body time to rest.

This means catching up on deep sleep, staying away from hard exercise or weight lifting, and putting those projects on hold. It may mean taking it easy at work or using a few sick days to stay home.

Sleep is critical when it comes to the type of healing you need following an accident. Sleep is when your body repairs tissues, recycles cells, and builds its own immunity.

Don’t sacrifice rest for the sake of keeping up with your life. Stay home and sleep!

7. Use Ice and Hydrate

Ice can be incredibly helpful in treating inflammation of any kind. Sore ankles, bruised skin, and aching backs have all benefited from temperature treatment.

Use ice packs, wraps, or bags of frozen peas to reduce swelling and inflammation. Keep your feet elevated above your heart as much as possible to encourage the healing process.

Maintain high levels of hydration. When your body is in recovery mode, it needs all the nutritive support it can get.

8. Boost Vitamin Intake

Supplement your current diet with an army of vitamins. Vitamins A, B, C, and D can help individuals recover faster from an injury. Avoid Vitamin E when recovering, as this can inhibit the healing process.

Other minerals to supplement your diet with include copper, iron, magnesium, and calcium.

These can promote healthy bone rejuvenation, muscle formation, and circulation.

Managing Car Accident Pain

There is a solution to your car accident pain, no matter its severity. Following any vehicle incident, seek a medical evaluation immediately. Document any symptoms you experience so that you can identify the right solutions to pain management.

Get plenty of rest and boost your vitamin intake to speed up the recovery process. Rely on your support network and don’t be shy about seeking out psychotherapy and alternative medicines.

If you implement these tips today, you’ll be on the pathway to full recovery in no time!

Florida Independent is devoted to the well-being of all of our readers. If you found this article helpful, browse our other posts on health and wellness!