Whiplash is an injury often suffered when the head snaps back and forth quickly, causing tendons and ligaments in the neck region to stretch beyond their range of motion. In most cases, this injury is suffered in car accidents and can cause a lot of pain to the victim.
Whiplash can take up to 3 months to recover, so getting advice on recouping your losses after a whiplash from an accident is vital. An experienced car accident lawyer can advise you if you can make a claim once you have received the appropriate medical care and treatment for your whiplash and other injuries.
While some doctors prescribe medication to help control the pain, there are also many natural methods you can use at home to manage its symptoms, and here are five of them.
- Applying Ice and Heat
Ice and heat are among the most ancient therapies used for whiplash pain management at home. This is often done by applying ice on the neck and shoulder area to numb the pain and reduce inflammation during the first 48 hours of a whiplash injury.
For the best impact, wrap your ice pack in a thin cloth or a towel before applying it to your neck. While it might be tempting to leave out the piece of cloth, applying the ice directly to your skin can cause frostbite or even permanent damage to your skin and underlying tissues.
Two days after the accident, switch to heat therapy. The heat helps reduce stiffness in your neck area and enhance blood circulation to the injured soft tissues.
If the injury doesn’t seem to improve, you may want to request a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, mainly if it resulted from someone else’s negligence. An attorney can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal rights and options.
- Staying Active
Though a whiplash injury can leave you feeling sore and uncomfortable, you shouldn’t keep your body inactive for an extended period. Too much resting can worsen whiplash symptoms and slow down your recovery.
Therefore, focus on stretching exercises and light aerobic activities that strengthen your neck muscles without straining them too much. This can include side-to-side neck rotations, chin tucks, and corner stretches.
While keeping your body active is essential, go easy on yourself during recovery. In other words, you should limit vigorous activities that strain the neck or shoulder muscles. Moreover, always consult a professional before beginning any new exercise routine.
- Essential Oils
Essential oils are homeopathic pain remedies whose use can be traced back hundreds of years ago. Even though they lack scientific backing, these oils can help reduce inflammation, relax muscles, and speed up the recovery of the injured tissues.
Some essential oils you might want to consider using for whiplash include lavender, clove, frankincense, or peppermint.
Often, these oils are used by applying them directly to the affected area or inhaling them by taking a deep breath. The aroma from these oils is often enough to calm down your nervous system and relieve tension headaches caused by a whiplash injury.
- CBD Oil
CBD oils and creams are fast becoming a popular pain management remedy recommended by medical professionals for various conditions, including whiplash injuries.
According to studies, CBD oils have essential properties that can help reduce inflammation and swelling while alleviating the pain caused by these two symptoms.
One of the best ways to use CBD oils is to mix them with other carrier oils like coconut oil before applying them to the affected neck region.
- Hot Teas
You may also consider taking warm tea as a home remedy for whiplash. Like heat therapy, warm tea encourages the muscles and ligaments around your neck region to relax and enhances blood circulation.
You can add ginger or chamomile to your tea for the best impact. Ginger will help reduce swelling and inflammation around the injured neck region.
If you experience difficulty sleeping due to your injury, you may consider taking chamomile tea, especially before bed, to help your muscles relax.