Recovering from a car accident can be very difficult, regardless of the type of injury you have. You may be sent home with painkillers and little else to help you control the pain. In some cases, your back injury may require surgery, hospitalization or physical therapy. Fortunately, for less severe back injuries, there are some alternative options to ease your pain and get better quickly.
Muscle Strength and Fitness
Strengthening your core, including your back muscles, helps provide support to the rest of your frame. This eases joint and nerve pain in your back, which can also lead to problems with your hips, knees, and ankles. Under the supervision of a physical therapist or trainer, you can try yoga, Pilates, gentle stretching, and weight lifting to build up your strength. Doing exercises that are less intense is advisable until you recover from your injury.
Practice Good Posture
It can be a hard habit to follow, but good posture is very important for the recovery and overall health of your back. Straightening your spine, relaxing your shoulders, tightening your abdominal muscles, and lifting your chin can all have a healthy effect on your back pain. Try working on simple exercises slowly, then doing more as your back begins to feel better. Make sure you keep doing stretches and practice sitting up straight even after you have recovered from your injury.
Acupuncture and Acupressure
Tapping into specific areas of pain management, acupuncture and acupressure are best performed by professionals. They can help ease your pain with regular sessions. The procedure is often performed in a very relaxing, comfortable environment, which allows the treatment to work more effectively. Let your acupuncturist know exactly what is ailing you, where and what type the pain is, and they will be able to help you heal.
Furniture That Supports Your Back
One sure way to help ease your back pain, and keep the discomforts away, is to use chairs that support your back. Often times, we slouch over our computers all day, and our chairs are part of the problem. Healthy Back chairs are designed to support your muscles and help you regain your posture again. You should consider getting a mattress that will alleviate your back pain as well. Chairs, mattresses and couches that support your neck and back can ease your pain immediately, and work over time to keep you from getting the symptoms again.
Massage
Massages are a great option for back pain because it can help for almost any back injury. You may need very light pressure to start with, but it’s a great way to help you relax your muscles. Depending on your particular injury, you may need regular sessions for a few weeks or months to help you recover. Finding the right massage therapist can greatly help to ease your pain.
Sufferers of chronic back pain can benefit from a multitude of alternative therapies. Make sure you talk with your doctor about some of these options, since the severity of your injury will greatly affect how you will respond to different treatments.