Recovering from Car Accident Injuries
If you’ve suffered injuries in a car accident, you may be out of commission for months. Whether you endured a back injury or whiplash, it’s important to take your recovery seriously. Here are several ways to get back on your feet.
Seek Medical Care Promptly
Even if you feel fairly fine after a car accident, you should still seek emergency medical care as soon as possible. Some injuries, like whiplash, don’t always present symptoms immediately. If you don’t address them promptly, they may get worse over time and cause chronic pain in the future. A doctor will properly diagnose your injury and recommend the appropriate treatment plan.
Follow Your Doctor’s Instructions
Your doctor will create a treatment plan to help you completely recover from your injury. Although the healing process may seem like a long time, be patient and follow your doctor’s advice. Your doctor has your best interests in mind and wants you to heal as quickly as possible.
For example, if you suffered a back injury, your doctor may advise seeing a chiropractor instead of getting surgery. If you don’t think certain parts of your treatment plan are working, don’t stop following the plan. Discuss your concerns with your doctor and see if he or she can come up with alternative treatment options.
Eat a Nutritious Diet
When you’re recovering from your injury, it may be tempting to eat pizza, chips and other junk foods on the couch. However, in order for your body to fully recover from your injury, you have to feed it nutritious foods. Plan to eat fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and chicken.
Additionally, remember to drink at least eight glasses of water every day. Staying hydrated will help your body repair muscle and tissue damage.
Get Enough Rest
If you’re dealing with a car accident injury, it becomes especially important to get adequate rest. When you sleep, your body has the chance to repair muscle and tissue damage. Aim to get about eight hours of sleep at night. To help you fall asleep easier, avoid caffeine at night and do something relaxing before bedtime, like reading a book. If you feel tired during the day, don’t hesitate to take a nap.
Move Around
Although you want to take it easy during your recovery, there’s nothing wrong with moving your body around. Physical activity can help you avoid stiffness and recover quicker. However, you should speak to your doctor before starting an exercise routine. He or she will know when your body is ready. Start slowly and stop immediately if you feel pain.
If you were recently injured in a car accident, seek medical treatment. Call at Ocala Injury Center today!