Do you feel sore after a car accident? You are definitely not the only one! A car accident puts a lot of stress on your body, and you can experience the aftereffects both physically and mentally. While you might think soreness is common after a car accident, that doesn’t mean you should skip going to the doctor. You always want to talk to your doctor about any car accident soreness you have and get a thorough examination to make sure you don’t have any serious injuries that require immediate treatment. The sooner you get checked out for any potential car accident injuries, the sooner you can get started on treatment that will bring you lasting relief.
How a Car Accident Causes Muscle Pain and Soreness
Car accident pain and sores can occur with or without serious injury. The force of impact from a car accident can jostle you around, causing you to strain against the seat belt and even hit parts of your body against the dashboard or windows. You can’t always control how a car accident shakes you up, but you can keep an eye out for any signs and symptoms of injury afterward. Here are a few examples of how a car accident can lead to muscle pain and soreness in the hours, days, and even weeks after the wreck.
Seat Belt Injury
Seat belts are designed to prevent you from serious injuries, like getting ejected from the vehicle during a crash. However, you can sustain some minor injuries from a seat belt. For example, if you get rear-ended by another vehicle, then your upper body might suddenly jerk forward. This can cause you to strain against the seat belt. If you have any exposed skin underneath the seat belt, then you could end up with scrapes or even burns from the sudden friction. You might also develop bruising where your body strained against the seat belt.
Sprains & Strains
Soft tissue injuries are common in car accidents. Soft tissues refer to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage that support your bones and joints. Whether you brace yourself for impact or never saw the accident coming, your muscles and other soft tissues may tense up and get damaged from the collision. Your shoulders, elbows, and knees are at particular risk for injury because you can end up hitting them against parts of the car. The jolting and jostling of your body with the force of impact can also cause muscles and other soft tissues to stretch outside their typical range of motion, leading to sprains, strains, and even tissue tears.
Whiplash Injury
Whiplash is one of the most common car accident injuries and can affect your head, neck, shoulders, and back. Whether you were in a rear-end collision or another type of wreck, the force of impact can cause your head and neck to snap forward and back violently. This will cause your neck muscles to stretch and strain out of their typical range of motion, which can cause micro-tears in the tissue. A whiplash injury can also affect the spine in your neck, leading to misalignments of the vertebrae and spinal discs. If you hit your head on the dashboard or other parts of the vehicle, then you could also suffer a head injury. A whiplash injury can leave you dealing with muscle pain, soreness, and stiffness in your neck, shoulders, and upper back.
7 Ways to Deal with Muscle Pain and Soreness
So, what do you do when you have muscle pain and soreness after a car accident? Once your car accident doctor has identified the source of your pain, you will know more about what treatment options will provide you with lasting pain relief. Here are seven examples of how to deal with muscle pain, soreness, and other uncomfortable symptoms from a car accident injury.
Rest
One of the best things you can do for your body after a traumatic event like a car accident is to get enough rest. Resting will give your body a chance to reduce the adrenaline pumping through you and initiate the body’s natural healing responses. You might not even realize how much pain or other symptoms you have until you rest and the shock from the accident has a chance to wear off. When you rest, you allow your body to jumpstart the healing process to help manage swelling, inflammation, and other natural responses to a soft tissue injury. However, you don’t want to rest too much and avoid any movement at all. This can actually end up making muscle pain and soreness turn into stiffness, which can actually make your discomfort worse.
Hydration
Just like when you get sick, you want to make sure you stay hydrated after a car accident. The shock and stress from the accident can send your body’s responses into overdrive, and your body needs water and nutrients to function properly. Staying hydrated will allow water to bring oxygen and nutrients to your cells that help fight any injuries or damage inside the body. When you drink lots of water to stay hydrated, your muscles can function better and avoid tightening and cramping. The stress of the car accident and any injuries can make your muscles tense up,
but getting enough water can help the healing process and prevent more pain from occurring.
Ice & Heat
Applying ice and heat to an injury also provides a wide range of benefits. A cold compress or ice pack will help reduce any swelling and inflammation in the area by restricting blood vessels and blood flow to the area. You can also use cold temperatures to provide a temporary numbing sensation that will bring about a bit of pain relief. After any swelling has gone down, you can also switch between ice and heat. Apply a warm compress or heating pad to sore, painful muscles to help naturally release tension and tightness. You can also try soaking in a warm bath and even using Epsom salts to help soothe aching muscles after a car accident.
Gentle Activity
You will want to slowly reintroduce gentle movements and activities to help prevent muscle stiffness from developing. While you want to avoid high-impact activities and exercises at first after an injury, you do want to engage your sore muscles in some movement. Avoid movements that make your pain worse, as that could also make your injuries worse. However, light stretching and going for a walk around the block will help promote healthy blood flow and keep your muscles from becoming too tight and tense. Engaging in gentle activity will also help you prevent muscle weakness and losing range of motion after an injury.
Stretching & Yoga
You can try stretching with low-impact activities like yoga to help support strength and mobility as you recover from muscle pain and soreness after a car accident. Stretching your muscles will help promote healthy blood flow and ensure your muscles get the oxygen and nutrients they need to fully heal and recover. Low-impact activities like yoga will incorporate stretches and help support your overall health and wellness while you recover. You can also slowly regain strength and range of motion if an injury has prevented you from engaging in certain movements or
activities. Enjoy this gentle workout that keeps your heart and lungs healthy while also providing a relaxing effect for your whole body.
Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care is a highly effective option for managing muscle pain and soreness after a car accident. Chiropractors specialize in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal issues, which are common after such incidents. Chiropractors use various techniques to alleviate pain, including spinal adjustments and manipulations. These adjustments help realign the spine and reduce pressure on nerves, leading to immediate and long-term pain relief. Stiffness and reduced range of motion are common after a car accident. Chiropractic treatments can restore proper alignment and function to your joints and muscles, helping you regain mobility and flexibility. One of the main benefits of chiropractic care is that it is a non-invasive, drug-free approach to managing pain and soreness. This makes it a suitable option for those who prefer to avoid surgery or medication.
Physical Therapy
Work with a physical therapist to help you recover from a wide range of car accident injuries. Physical therapy will help you regain strength and mobility after an injury with a hands-on approach to treatment. Your physical therapist may recommend therapeutic massage and soft tissue mobilization to help support your recovery process. Physical therapy will also allow you to take an active role in your recovery by engaging in stretches and exercises that target specific areas of the body. Your physical therapist will walk you through routines and ensure you perform the technique properly so you can safely heal from any injuries. A physical therapist may also talk to you about ways to improve your diet to reduce pain, soreness, and other symptoms while you recover.
How Long Pain and Soreness Last after a Car Accident
Recovery from a car accident is a unique experience for everyone. Many are surprised to find that pain and other symptoms don’t always appear immediately. In fact, it can take hours or even days for the effects of an injury to become apparent. This phenomenon, known as delayed symptoms, means you might start feeling pain and soreness well after the accident. To minimize the duration of pain and soreness, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment promptly. Attempting to push through the pain or waiting it out at home can lead to other uncomfortable symptoms and potentially exacerbate untreated injuries. The essential takeaway for managing muscle pain and soreness after a car accident is this: Don’t wait! Seek help immediately for any pain or soreness. Untreated symptoms can disrupt your daily routines and worsen over time.
How a Car Accident Doctor Can Help
How a Car Accident Doctor Can Assist with Your Recovery
When you’ve been in a car accident, seeking care from a specialized car accident doctor in Conyers is crucial for comprehensive treatment and support. Here’s how they can help:
Thorough Evaluation
Your car accident doctor will conduct a comprehensive physical examination to assess your condition for any potential injuries. This thorough assessment ensures that no injury goes unnoticed, allowing for prompt treatment.
Diagnostic Imaging
Utilizing advanced diagnostic imaging tools such as X-rays or CT scans, your doctor can view affected areas like bones, joints, or muscles. These images help identify the source of your pain and ruling out any underlying issues or injuries.
Personalized Treatment Plan
Once the source of your pain is identified, your Conyers car accident doctor will develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific diagnosis and needs. This customized approach ensures that you receive targeted care aimed at providing lasting pain relief and promoting full recovery.
Comprehensive Care
Your treatment plan may encompass a variety of interventions, including home remedies, physical therapy exercises, and in-office procedures. This comprehensive approach addresses all aspects of your recovery, from pain management to restoring function and mobility.
Effective Pain Relief
By combining various treatment techniques, your car accident doctor aims to alleviate pain effectively and efficiently. Whether through medication, therapeutic techniques, or hands-on adjustments, the goal is to minimize discomfort and enhance your overall well-being.
AICA Conyers for Car Accident Soreness
Visit AICA Orthopedics in Conyers to learn more about our team of car accident doctors and how we can help you recover from any muscle pain and soreness. We treat a wide range of car accident injuries and have on-site diagnostic imaging tools so you can meet with your doctors and get the necessary care in one convenient location. At AICA Orthopedics in Conyers, our orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, and physical therapists specialize in car accident injuries and work together to help you.