Over 2 million people are injured in auto accidents in America each year. The injuries that can result from a car accident can be quite severe.
One of the main things a person needs to do when involved in an auto collision is to seek out medical treatment. Even if you don’t feel like you are injured, you still need to let a medical professional check out you to ensure there are no internal injuries.
Injuries to the neck and head are quite common for people involved in car accidents. The road to car accident recovery can be a long one.
However, there are a number of things you can do to speed up the healing process and here are some of them.
1. Go Home to Start the Car Accident Recovery Process
The biggest mistake that most people make following a car accident is failing to go home and get some rest.
Most people fail to realize that being involved in a car accident is as traumatic as having surgery. Failing to give your body the rest it needs after an accident can lead to lots of problems in the future.
Some medical professionals maintain that failing to take time off after a car accident can add nearly six months to the recovery time. The adrenaline that floods your body following a collision can dull pain receptors and mask injuries.
While lying in bed may not be your idea of a good time, your body needs rest after an accident.
2. Your Body Needs Fluids After an Accident
Drinking at least six cups of water each day for a week after your accident is essential. Putting these extra fluids in your body can help to reduce inflammation.
You need to also put more vitamin C in your diet after an accident. This vitamin also reduces inflammation and can help greatly during the tissue repair process. The electrolytes produced by vitamin C help to neutralize the free radicals that can increase inflammation.
There are a number of electrolyte powders on the market that you can add to your water to get a boost of vitamin C.
Be sure to avoid drinking too many sodas during the car accident recovery process. The high fructose corn syrup in these drinks can interfere with the production of collagen in the body. Collagen is a necessary element when trying to heal from things like muscle tears.
3. Let Your Singing Voice Be Heard
The shock of a car accident will usually cause a person to gasp. This shock can also cause your diaphragm to tighten, which can deprive you of oxygen.
If you are having a hard time getting a deep breath following a car wreck, chances are your rib heads are jammed against your spine. This often happens when the seatbelt you are wearing during an accident suddenly snaps against your lungs during impact.
The best thing you can do to fix these issues is to sing at the top of your lungs. This not only helps to move compressed rib heads, it can relax your diaphragm as well.
If you don’t feel like singing, you can do a bit of exercise to fix these issues. Lying down on your back and holding both sides of your rib cage while breathing deeply can be helpful.
Performing these deep breathing exercises on a daily basis can make it much easier for you to decrease pain and discomfort.
4. Schedule an Appointment With an Osteopathic Physician
Once the dust from your car wreck has settled, you need to schedule an appointment with an osteopathic physician. These types of physicians are trained to use their hands to diagnose and treat injuries caused by car accidents.
Not only can these physicians check your injuries out, they can provide you with manual techniques to address things like inflammation and pain.
5. Avoid Physical Activity For a While
If you live an active lifestyle, not being able to exercise or play sports is not something you want to experience. However, you will need to avoid strenuous physical activity for a few weeks after your car accident.
Playing sports or performing demanding exercise routines shortly after a car accident can make your injuries much worse. Some people think that just because they aren’t in excruciating pain that they can push their limits after a car accident.
Doing this will usually lead to a person’s injuries getting much worse. While waiting to play sports or exercise may be difficult for you, it is the best thing for your body.
6. Light Exercise Can Be Helpful
While you need to avoid physical contact sports and weightlifting, doing light exercise can be quite helpful during the recovery process. Going for a walk on a flat surface can help you get out of bed and stretch your muscles.
Before you begin going on these walks, you need to consult with your primary physician. They will be able to give you some guidance regarding how long your walks should be and how frequently you should take them.
7. Wear The Right Shoes
When trying to recover from injuries caused by a car accident, you need to focus on wearing comfortable shoes. While high heels, cowboy boots, and platforms may be fashionable, they will not provide adequate support.
Getting a pair of athletic shoes that can provide your ankles with adequate support is a must. These types of shoes may not win you any fashion awards, but they will provide you with the support you need.
8. Be Careful What You Lift
For a while after your car accident, you will have to be careful about what you lift. Most medical professionals recommend that car accident victims avoid lifting anything over five pounds.
Trying to lift too much can put a strain on your neck and back. While it will be difficult to avoid lifting heavier things, your body will thank you for the effort.
Getting Professional Help Can Make Recovery Easier
Working with medical professionals who are familiar with the car accident recovery process is a must. These professionals will be able to provide you with the guidance you need to get your body well in a hurry.
Are you looking for more information on the recovery process following a car accident? If so, check out the helpful information on our website.