Car accidents are unfortunate events happening every day on our roads. Statistically, there are around 6 million accidents that occur annually in the US. With an increase in traffic and other road conditions, this figure is expected to increase. If you ever have an accident, chances are that it will take time to recover. Full recovery, regardless of the type of injury, takes time. It depends on existing health conditions, injuries, and other factors like age, gender, the severity of the accident, etc. While there is no exact time frame for your recovery process, we can discuss some really effective methods to recover properly:
Seek Immediate Medical Treatment
Some accidents are significant, with visible injuries to your body. On the other hand, some accidents don’t result in injuries, but they can be pretty dangerous if not treated properly. Not all injuries appear immediately. Injuries like whiplash, spine damage, a concussion may take hours and even weeks to show. Understand the fact that if you don’t have symptoms immediately, it does not mean that everything is fine. The longer you wait for medical treatment, the higher risk you have of an extended recovery period and worsened injuries.
- Immediately go to an Emergency Room. If you need an ambulance, call 911.
- ER will refer you to an accident doctor who will thoroughly evaluate your overall health through physical evaluation and imaging tests. A customized treatment plan will be provided for proper treatment.
- Your doctor may refer you to a specialist in case of any complex injuries or surgical requirements. We recommend that you follow up on all your appointments.
- Be regular with medication and only add activity when recommended by the doctor.
Follow Your Treatment Plan Precisely
People will tell you different things after an accident. Some will tell you about the importance of movements, while others will tell you what to eat and what not to eat. Some know-it-alls even start prescribing medicines! It’s a crazy world we live in! Also, we want to recover as quickly as possible. Despite all this, you need to understand that the best way to completely heal the after-effects of an accident is to follow the advice of car injury doctors.
Some things that your doctor will request you to take care of are:
- Reducing the normal activity level to a minimum until cleared by appointment.
- Following the medication schedule as per the prescription
- Participating in physical therapy and other forms of alternative care.
- Only making required movements and doctor-approved exercises. A lot of doctors recommend the slow walk, but you must confirm with them first.
- Regularly coming to appointments and explaining your physical and mental health thoroughly.
- Taking a session with your doctor to let them know what is working for you and what doesn’t. It is perfectly normal that specific medication or treatment plans do not work for you while they are completely fine for someone else.
Take Adequate Rest and Sleep
After a car accident, your body is obviously going through a lot of trauma. Physical and mental stress both require an adequate amount of rest and sleep to heal. Your body will increase blood flow, heal damaged cells and reduce the stress hormones as you sleep. Other than initiating the healing process, resting will reduce inflammation and increase your energy levels. To ensure that your body is getting proper rest, you must:
- Sleep for at least 8 hours a day.
- Take bed rest for as long as you are prescribed.
- Do not stress over work or work-related notifications.
- Avoid using gadgets to relax your eyes and reduce swelling.
- Use comfortable bedding like medium-strength mattresses and firm pillows.
Manage Your Pain Properly
Most accidents can lead to severe pain in your body. If not treated properly, it can last for weeks and even months. As a matter of fact, most people have reported that something as minor has whiplash led to years of chronic pain. Instead of just crying on your bed, you need to take proper steps for pain management. Some tips for managing physical body pain are:
- Take OTC medicines prescribed by the doctor.
- Use hot or cold compression in the affected area.
- Hire professional massage services to manage internal pain caused by sore muscles, damaged tendons, and ligaments.
- Speak to your doctor about pain if it’s hindering your sleep. They may strengthen your prescription and also other medication.
Start A Moderate Exercise Routine
You obviously need to start moving at some point. While the initial days require complete bed rest, starting exercise should ultimately depend on the recommendation of your doctor. Regular muscle movement will help you regain lost stamina and build flexibility. However, before you make any abrupt movements, make sure to discuss the exercise plan and level of activity with your doctor.
- Going out for a 30-minute walk is a great way to get back into a routine.
- If you used to lift weights, start your exercises without weights and slowly build your way to the top again.
- Focus on performing low-impact activities like yoga or tai chi to return to your routine.
- Do not overwork your body as it can worsen the injuries and worsen your condition.
- Physical therapy is also a great way to return back to a normal activity level.
Emphasize On Nutrition
Food and exercise play a great role in the recovery process. You need to have a healthy diet to heal your body. Your body needs fresh fruits, vitamins, and lots and lots of protein to function properly.
- Eat regular and healthy meals.
- Add lots of healthy protein to your diet like lean poultry, eggs, fish, and red meat.
- Avoid processed foods and sugary snacks because they have the tendency to slow down the healing process.
- Spicy foods should be avoided.
- Add fresh juices to your diet. We recommend that you drink at least one glass of citrus juice in the morning.
- You must drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water. Plain water hydrates your cells and helps your internal injuries properly.
Be Patient While Your Body Recovers
Whether you are suffering from a whiplash car accident or there is something wrong with your spine after the accident, patience is the key. No doctor will promise you a quick recovery from complicated accident injuries. However, they do promise to help as per their professional capabilities so that you can restore your lost health. In such a scenario, patience is key. To remain patient, you need to:
- Continue with the treatment for as long as the doctor recommends.
- Take care of your physical and mental health.
- Listen to what your body is saying. Talk to your doctor if you feel something wrong with injuries or medication.
- Talk to people you love about mental trauma. Stressful mental health can hinder physical recovery. Talking always helps.
- Make sure that you are on the same page with your healthcare provider.
- Seek financial compensation for your losses.
Conclusion
Accidents are quite common nowadays, and they can result in physical and mental injuries. If you are in a car accident, we recommend that you seek immediate medical help. Avoiding medical treatment after an accident can cause chronic problems that last a lifetime. Other than medical help, you must take care of your nutrition, hydration, and physical health. Rest your body for a couple of days and then start from the most moderate activity when your doctor tells you to.
