Natural Remedies for Back Pain After Car Accident

After a car accident, you may feel physically, mentally or emotionally drained. When recovering from back injuries, it is best to consult a doctor to get diagnosed and receive treatment for your condition. Your doctor can prescribe medication and therapy that will help eliminate and treat back pain.

While seeking medical attention is necessary, there are also natural remedies for back pain outside of regular medicine that will help reduce inflammation, while soothing and reducing any back pain that you are currently experiencing.

Using Essential Oils

Essential oils are made up of compounds of various plants, herbs, and flowers. Oils are used during aromatherapy and massage to encourage relaxation. Not only do these oils smell good, but they are therapeutic. Certain oils, such as rosemary, peppermint, and lavender, help reduce inflammation due to tissues that are injured. They help increase blood flow to the area that has been hurt. Adding drops of essential oil to a bath can help relieve pain just as much as soaking in warm water.

Never use the oils without some dilution. It is best to use a few drops mixed with water or carrier oil before applying directly on your skin.

Massage or Chiropractic Care

A great massage can help you deal with serious back pain relief. When your back muscles are being massaged, it helps the blood flow to the area as well as help heal any soreness and pain. Getting a massage also helps you to relax and reduce tension to an injured area that is causing increased inflammation.

Another treatment for back pain is to visit a chiropractor.  Qualified chiropractic and naturopathic doctors are often knowledgeable about back pain since they have extensive training in various musculoskeletal disorders and musculoskeletal management.

Acupuncture

Back pain is one of the most common reasons some people try acupuncture. Extensive research suggests acupuncture can be effective in reducing chronic back pain.  While it is not completely known how acupuncture helps deal with pain, one theory suggests acupuncture can trigger pain-reducing chemicals in the body, such as natural opioids and endorphins that can provide pain relief.

Stay Hydrated

Water is essential for our bodies to function. It contains electrolytes and minerals, while also being a solvent that breaks down the vitamins and other nutritional elements in the food we eat. Water helps the body procure these elements for essential nutrition.

Water also makes up blood plasma that allows red blood cells to circulate and carry oxygen to our muscles and organs, while eliminating carbon dioxide and waste. It provides fluids that support the cells’ interior.

When your tissues are injured, the need for adequate water supply is critical. The injured tissues require more blood flow to heal, and it helps flush away acids so that damaged cells are replaced by healthy cells.

If you do not take in enough water, it slows down the healing process and your back will take a longer time to recover from your injury.

Applying Heat and Cold Compresses

When you are in pain, the warmth of a thermal wrap, a nice hot shower or a heating pad can work wonders. Heat helps soothe injured tissue and blocks pain receptors while increasing blood flow. It also helps to reduce swelling and flush away excess fluid.

Applying heat also contributes to overall relaxation as long as you do not overdo it. Using heat for fifteen minutes every few hours is usually sufficient to provide back pain relief.

Applying cold packs will also reduce back pain and moving the healing process along. Cold compresses or ice can help reduce inflammation of the muscles and act like pain blockers by slowing down nerve impulses. They keep the nerves from spasming and causing further pain.

Getting Enough Sleep

Getting enough rest is key to a full recovery. When you are asleep, your body regenerates damaged tissues, while performing routine maintenance and repairs. As you sleep, your body will produce hormones that contribute to growth, energy production, and a healthy immune system.

When you are experiencing back pain, the need for proper rest is critical to repair any damage caused by your car accident. You only prolong pain and discomfort when you miss valuable sleep by delaying the physical, emotional, and psychological repairs that need to be made before a full recovery.

Exercise, Energize and Release Endorphins

While your doctor may have prescribed rest, this doesn’t mean you should lie around all day in bed. You should avoid strenuous activity and lifting heavy objects, but you should be able to take short walks around your home or even neighborhood if your body can handle it. The release of endorphins helps energize you and alleviates the pain.

Endorphins are simply hormones that are made naturally within the body. Endorphins can be as strong as any medication that is prescribed. When endorphins are released, they can block pain signals and help get rid of the anxiety, stress, and depression that often accompany chronic back pain.

Keep Busy with Activities

Sometimes, the best way to recover from an injury is to focus on activities to keep you busy. While ongoing pain can wreak havoc, interrupt your sleep, and affect your mood, finding things to do that keep you in a positive state of mind can be extremely helpful.

It might be useful to focus on activities that make you feel good each day, such as walking the dog, calling a friend, or listening to music. Activities such as reading or watching a funny movie can lighten your mood and keep you in good spirits, which helps you focus less on the pain, even if it is severe.  Over time, doing simple things will help you heal and get stronger.

Although there may not be a one-size-fits-all pain remedy or medical treatment, the use of natural remedies can not only help eliminate pain, but make you feel more comfortable while you are on the road to recovery.