Car accidents can lead to a lot of body aches and pains. Having to deal with sore muscles after an accident can get really frustrating as it can greatly affect your ability to do daily chores, go to school, or work, and sometimes, it could make it hard to just get out of bed.
While there is nothing you can do to change the accident, there is something you can do about its effects. If you have been involved in a car accident and are currently suffering from sore muscles as a result of it, it is important to make sure that you seek proper treatment to help alleviate the pain and prevent possible long-term complications.
Understanding Sore Muscles After an Accident
Car accidents are an unfortunate event. Because of the blunt force of the accident, individuals may experience different types of body pain, such as whiplash and muscle strain.
Muscle pain due to car accidents is completely normal. However, be that as it may, it is important to have a medical professional thoroughly assess you. Some of the common symptoms of muscle pain include the following:
- Stiffness
- Fatigue
- Muscle spasms
- Upper back pain
- Lower back pain
- Burning or tingling
- Swelling and inflammation
- Limited mobility
Immediate Steps After the Accident
While sore muscles are considered normal after being involved in a car accident, the pain you are feeling should not be ignored. Prioritizing safety and seeking medical attention immediately after the accident is important in making sure that your muscle injury is accurately diagnosed so you can receive the necessary treatment.
Moreover, reporting soreness and any other injuries you acquired from the accident to healthcare providers is crucial to properly evaluate your condition. There may be instances that the pain you are feeling is caused by an underlying condition – which can only be properly diagnosed and treated by a medical professional.
It is also important to keep in mind that hiding any other injury that you have from your doctor can have damaging results in the future. Without the necessary information, medical professionals will not be able to provide you with the right treatment – possibly delaying your recovery or even worsening your current condition.
Effective Treatments For Sore Muscles
Here are some possible treatments that you can employ after a car accident:
Rest and Ice Therapy
Car accidents are a very traumatic experience, and the pain you feel afterward can be very stressful, which is why taking time to rest after the accident is essential in your recovery. The incident can put a massive strain on your body, so giving it time to reduce inflammation and repair itself is very important.
Aside from that, you can also try ice therapy to help alleviate the pain. Ice is known for numbing pain, so applying an ice pack to the affected area can help reduce the inflammation that causes swelling.
However, applying ice on your skin for an excessive amount of time is not advised since it could lead to potential skin or tissue damage. Use ice therapy for only a short amount of time, several times a day.
When applying ice packs to the sore areas, don’t put the ice directly on your skin. Instead, wrap the ice in a towel and use it for a few minutes. Around 10 to 15 minutes is ideal, but no more than 20 minutes so you can avoid the risk of nerve, skin, and tissue damage.
Pain Management Techniques
Sometimes, victims of car accidents suffer from severe muscle pains that can be really hard to tolerate or ignore. Because of this, some people use over-the-counter pain relievers.
If you are having trouble dealing with sore muscles, you may take acetaminophen or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen. However, long-term use can affect your muscle’s ability to repair itself, so avoid using it regularly.
Also, it is important that you seek medical consultation from your doctor before you take any type of pain reliever to ensure that it will not interfere with your other medications. Checking in with your doctor will also help you avoid consuming medication that is not appropriate for your body if you have any other pre-existing conditions.
Gentle Stretching and Exercise
Gentle stretching and low-impact exercises can be very helpful in alleviating sore muscles and improving muscle flexibility and strength at the same time. It is important to keep in mind that while stretching and exercising seem like a good idea, it is a decision you can best make with the guidance of a healthcare professional.
However, some types of injury cannot be easily detected right away, which is why seeking medical help is imperative. With the help of a healthcare professional, you will be able to ensure that you are using the proper technique and avoid causing problems later on.
Heat Therapy
Heat therapy can also be an effective way to alleviate the pain and discomfort you are feeling. It’s important to remember that applying heat immediately after the accident is not advised as it could cause bruising and swelling to increase – prolonging your recovery time even more.
Apply cold treatment first to reduce the swelling, and then, once the inflammation has calmed down, apply heat to the affected area for around 15 minutes to reduce muscle tension.
Applying heat to a sore or injured muscle helps increase blood flow as well as the elasticity of the connective tissues in your joints. It can also stop muscle spasms and relax muscles. You can use a heating pad for your sore muscles, but moist heat is usually more effective. Try using a hot and wet towel to achieve the best results.
Physical Therapy
While physical therapy is not required for recovery, it is beneficial for several reasons. Without the use of medication, physical therapy can help reduce pain, improve mobility and function, and support you to regain balance and strength.
Seeking physical therapy from a licensed professional can help speed up your recovery. A physical therapist will work with you hand in hand to create an exercise program tailored to your specific needs. Some of the physical treatments that can help expedite your recovery are:
- Joint Mobilization
- Massage Therapy
- Exercise
- Ultrasound
- Balance Training
- Home exercise programs
In addition, physical therapists may also use manual therapy to help reduce inflammation, mobilize joints, strengthen muscles and stimulate the body’s natural healing process.
Seeking Legal Assistance For Sore Muscles
You may be wondering if you can sue for muscle pain caused by a negligent driver. The answer is yes. If you are suffering from muscle pain as a result of an accident that is not your fault, you may be eligible to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your suffering and financial losses.
Hiring a well-experienced personal injury attorney specializing in car accidents is the best way to ensure that you are receiving a fair settlement. An experienced lawyer can negotiate on your behalf and help you better navigate the legal process that will take place if you choose to file a personal injury claim.
Moreover, having an attorney to serve as your legal representation during the settlement process can be very beneficial as they possess the necessary legal knowledge, allowing them to build a strong case. They can collect the required evidence and documents associated with your lawsuit on your behalf as you take your time to recover from the accident.
Overall, hiring a personal injury attorney for your personal injury claim is in your best interest.
Call Crockett Law Group Now
There is no specific time of recovery for sore muscles after a car accident. The duration of the recovery period can take a few weeks to a few months to years, depending on the severity of the injury and other possible underlying conditions. If you have been involved in a car accident, it is important that you seek medical help right away to ensure that you receive appropriate medical treatment.
Having to deal with sore muscles can be really frustrating, especially if the injuries were caused by another negligent driver. By seeking proper medical help, your doctor will have your medical records, which may be essential when you seek compensation and file a personal injury claim.
Your medical records could serve as evidence proving that your injuries and the pain are a result of the car accident. Once you make the choice to pursue litigation as you undergo recovery, a personal injury lawyer can help you better understand your rights and represent you in court if necessary.
Here at Crockett Law Group, our team of legal experts is ready to fight for you and help you receive the settlement you rightfully deserve. If you have been involved in a car accident and are unsure of what to do, contact us now at (888) 965-3827 for your inquiries or send us a message through our secure and confidential online form. Our fast and reliable team is available to assist you 24/7.
