Non-Operative Treatment Following a Car Accident, What Options Do You Have?

When you are involved in an auto accident in Charlotte, your injuries may not result in the need for surgery, but you should always seek out a medical evaluation by a professional. Some injures may not appear for days or weeks following the auto accident due to the adrenaline that you experience after a car wreck. Auto accidents can cause delayed onset of symptoms such as headaches, stiff neck, blurry vision, dizziness, numbness, forgetfulness, and trouble sleeping.

When you do experience an automobile collision the most common types of injuries are head and back pain, concussions, whiplash, soft tissue damage, sprains, broken bones, cuts and scrapes. All of the above injuries are not life threatening but need to be treated or they can lead to bigger problems down the road like chronic pain and/or surgery. 

There are a lot of different types of therapies that offer support for people involved in a car crash ranging from self-care to trained professionals.

Who are Occupational Therapists and What Do They Do?

An occupational therapist will do an assessment and determine where assistance may be needed after your car crash. They will develop and implement a plan to help you resume your daily activities that you easily participated in prior to your car wreck such as eating, bathing, and getting dressed.

Is Physical Therapy an Option After a Car Wreck?

Physical therapists are an important part of rehabilitation care. They can help you if you are experiencing pain, stiffness, headaches, and/or lack of mobility from your car accident. They work on range of motion, helping improve your flexibility, increase your strength and help you recover faster. They can retrain your muscles, ligaments and tendons to work together again after being out of sync from an auto accident. Physical therapists support the recovery process and can help prevent long term damage after a car wreck. 

Should I Consider a Chiropractor After My Auto Accident?

Chiropractors also work with the neuromuscular system, similar to physical therapists. They can offer help after an auto accident by performing spinal decompression and spinal manipulation which release a chemical that helps reduce inflammation which causes pain. Many chiropractors will provide exercises and stretches to do at home to improve your mobility, strength and range of motion. When performed regularly these exercises and adjustments can help you heal and move past your car wreck.

Is Massage Therapy an Option For Me?

If your doctor prescribe massage therapy you should always look for a trained massage therapist that focuses on car accident injuries. Many people relate massage therapy as a treatment and not as a feasible medical option. In fact, some insurances may not cover massage therapy and do not see it as medically necessary. But an auto accident can be a shock to your nervous system and can also be traumatic to all of those involved. Massage therapy is designed to strengthen your parasympathetic nervous system and work deep into your muscles and help you relax and release tension.  They also deal with injuries by using touch to manipulate muscles and the soft tissue of your body that may be sore or painful from your car wreck. Most massage therapists can help you with common injuries from an auto accident such as whiplash, soreness and generalized pain.  It can help reduce swelling, relax muscles, and can help send blood to the injured area to speed up recovery.  

Is Acupuncture a Treatment Option Following an Auto Accident?

Acupuncture is a form of traditional Chinese medicine where they insert very thin needles in the skin at strategic anatomical points in your body. There are over 2,000 acupuncture points in the human body. Not only does an acupuncturist use needles to treat issues from car accidents, they may use heat, pressure, friction, and or suction (cupping). Acupuncture is a great treatment option after a car crash for headaches, myofascial pain, back pain, chronic pain and emotional trauma caused by your auto accident.

From a legal standpoint the question is whether the treatment is reasonable or necessary.  If your doctor prescribes Acupuncture you are much more likely to be able to recover the medical expenses of the treatment.  Further, more and more NC juries are becoming familiar with the benefits of Acupuncture.

I Have a Lot of Anxiety/PTSD After My Car Accident, What Can I Do?

Many people will develop anxiety and or PTSD (after being in a car accident whether they are the driver or passenger in the vehicle. They can be reluctant to get into a motorized vehicle or even have a refusal to drive. During the day victims of a car wreck can have intrusive thoughts which make it hard to concentrate on their daily activity. A common problem after an accident is trouble sleeping which can lead to more anxiety and irritability. One way to deal with anxiety is to see a therapist who can help the individual work through their fears and other issues. Meditation is also a good way to work through anxiety or PTSD. There are multiple ways and apps out there to help you learn how to meditate and reduce your stress caused by your auto accident. They can address sleep and anxiety issues. Try several out and see which one best suits your taste. 

What Else Can I use For Pain or Inflammation Following My Car Wreck?

Over the counter medications are available for you that can help with mild pain or inflammation in between. If the medication is not helpful, speak to your medical provider about stronger options. 

R.I.C.E (Rest ice compression and elevation) are also helpful for pain and inflammation. 

If you find yourself drinking too much or taking narcotics excessively to ease the pain, seek immediate help from a trained therapist or in patient rehab. Some narcotics can be highly addictive especially if you have a tendency to lean towards addictive behavior. 

What is the Best Option for Me?

In conclusion, if you are involved in an auto accident, there are many alternative providers at your disposal depending on the severity of your injuries. Find a treatment option that you feel comfortable with. Try different providers and modes of treatment. Either singularly or together the therapies can help speed up your recovery. Always make sure that you are seeing a properly trained therapist and they are comfortable treating injuries from an auto accident. In the end you need to make your number 1 priority.  Our car accident lawyers advice people every day to focus on their health, to not speak with the insurance companies and just focus on getting better.  Many times people don’t have health insurance.  Our lawyers can refer you to medical providers in Charlotte and throughout NC who can treat you even without health insurance.