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Treatment for Back and Neck Pain After a Car Accident

Massage therapy is a great option for treatment after an accide

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After a car accident, it can take some time before you realise you may need treatment for back or neck pain. It is not uncommon for a few days or even weeks to go by before pain and injuries become apparent, so if you do experience any pain that you think could have been caused by a recent accident, do go and see your doctor. This will be necessary if you need to open a claim for compensation.

Emergency Treatment

If you experience any of the following symptoms you should see your doctor immediately; very severe pain anywhere   if your pain is excruciating you need to obtain medical assistance, difficulty with breathing, pain on passing urine or tingling or numbness that does not disappear after waiting for a few moments.

If you have pain, but it is not an emergency condition, you will still need treatment. Two of the most efficient and quick treatments for relieving pain following a car accident are chiropractic therapy and massage therapy. These treatments both help with the kind of injuries commonly sustained after a car accident   muscle sprain, nerve pressure, strains and pressure on the joints.

Chiropractic Therapy

As a treatment for back pain, chiropractic therapy is fast and effective hands on therapy. The chiropractor makes small adjustments to your movement in the normal direction your back or neck would move and uses controlled pressure to release the tension in the joint. These adjustments help to reduce the pressure and pain in the joint and relieve pain immediately.

Many people are unfamiliar with chiropractic therapy and feel concerned or nervous, but there is no need. You remain fully dressed and will lie on the treatment table while the chiropractor uses his or her hands to move your joints in their natural pattern. Some noise from the joints is normal during chiropractic therapy and is nothing to worry about.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy helps the healing process to happen more quickly and can bring fast pain relief, although it may initially be slightly uncomfortable following a car accident. At first you may feel as though pressure is being exerted on a bruise, but the massage therapist will make sure you are comfortable with the treatment. Unlike chiropractic therapy, you do need to undress for this treatment, but can keep underclothes on. When you lie on the treatment table you will be covered by a sheet, except the area being worked on. Using lotion or oil, the massage therapist will work on the stiffness and pain in your muscles with his or her hands. It is common to feel some level of improvement after even the first massage and your pain and discomfort will decrease and your range of movement improve as you continue with more treatments.

Pain Relief at Home

If you need to get your pain under control there are some measures you can take at home while you are waiting for your appointment. Use a rolled bath towel around your neck to support your head to help with headaches you may experience after a car accident. You could try crushed ice or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a warm damp cloth placed on the painful area. Rest or a warm soothing bath can also help to reduce pain, or you could try pain relief in the form of tablets or gel that you apply to the painful area.

Remember, if you experience any pain, even days or weeks after your car accident, you should see your doctor who will help you to access any further treatment you need.

This guest post has been composed and contributed on behalf of Hughes Carlisle.

(Photo Credit: gaelx via Compfight cc)

Zoe

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