4 Ways To Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain After an Accident
Moments or even hours after being involved in an accident, many people don’t feel any pain. For some, it’s the following morning when the aches, soreness, and pain rear their ugly heads. If you’ve had this experience, don’t worry, you’re not alone.
If you haven’t sustained any major injuries and don’t have any obvious signs of trauma, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you didn’t get hurt. Joint and muscle pain can suddenly appear without warning days after an accident.
There are several things you can do to relieve these after-the-fact aches and pains. Here are 4 of the best ways to get back to feeling like your usual self.
Always Consult With a Doctor First
Even if you only feel a little beat up and sore after an accident, you should meet with your primary care physician. Only a trained professional can properly evaluate your condition and suggest the best way to proceed if you have any type of injury, minor or severe.
Once you’ve met with your doctor and he’s given you a diagnosis, schedule an appointment with Specific Care Chiropractic services. The specialists there can help you work out your joint and muscle pain using various treatment options. They can also give you an indication of how long you’ll be feeling a little rough around the edges.
4 Ways To Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain
Although time is the best way to relieve joint and muscle pain after an accident, there are several things you can do to speed up the healing process. Some you can do from the pleasure of your home, while some will require going to a chiropractor or rehab facility.
Rest and Hydration
The first few days after your accident, you must take it easy. Your sore muscles need a few days of R&R so they can begin to heal. Refrain from stressing your muscles in any way and allow them to relax. Although there’s no set amount of time to give your body a break, pay attention to it. It’ll let you know when too much is too much. Moreover, make sure you sleep on a proper mattress that encourages healing instead of even more pain and discomfort.
Not drinking enough water, even at times of perfect health, isn’t good for your body. When your body is bruised and sore due to an accident, it’s crucial to ensure you stay hydrated. If your muscles aren’t hydrated, they will become stiff and won’t function properly. This goes double for muscles that are sore just after an accident. Drinking an adequate amount of water each day will help to lessen the soreness of both muscles and joints.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain medications do a good job of eliminating or reducing the severity of those post-accident sore muscles and joints. Pain relievers like Tylenol can help with sore muscles, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as Ibuprofen can work wonders.
For more intense pain, your doctor can prescribe muscle relaxers if you’re experiencing spasms or sedatives if the pain interferes with your sleep. Narcotic medications are rarely prescribed unless the patient has severe injuries.
Physical Therapy
After the initial shock of those sore and painful joints and muscles, movement can help to ease the pain and help with the healing process. A physical therapist can assess what treatment program will best assist your healing process and will work with you to ensure you’re performing your PT safely.
Massage Therapy
Although there’s been much debate on the healing properties of massage therapy as a treatment for injuries, some research does suggest that it can speed up the healing of muscles. The National Library of Medicine reports that massage can facilitate recovery from some types of muscle damage. You’ll need to inform your massage therapist of your accident and where you’re feeling the most pain before your first session.
Put an End to Those Post-Accident Pains
Even a little fender bender can cause muscles and joints to feel sore. Over-the-counter medications for pain and inflammation can do the trick, but sometimes you’ll need to put a little more effort into your recovery. Physical therapy and massage are good ways to ease those aches and pains. For the best recovery treatment, contact the specialists who can get you back to your normal self quickly and safely.
