If you’ve been in a car accident the first thing you should do is seek medical attention even if you don’t think you’ve been injured. Many injuries such as whiplash can take days or even weeks to manifest.
Once you’ve been checked out by a doctor there are a few things you can do to help ease the pain of whiplash and promote healing.
First take it easy. Avoid strenuous activity and give your body time to recover. You might need to take a few days off from work or other activities.
Second apply ice to the affected area for 20 minutes at a time several times a day. This will help reduce inflammation and pain.
Third take over-the-counter pain medication as needed. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both effective for treating pain.
Fourth see a chiropractor or other healthcare professional for an adjustment. This can help realign your spine and neck which can speed up the healing process.
Finally do some gentle stretching and exercises to keep your neck and shoulders loose. This will help decrease stiffness and pain.
If you follow these steps you should start to feel better within a few days. However if your pain persists or gets worse be sure to see your doctor.
