Whiplash, or strain of the muscles and tendons in the neck, is often a good candidate for at-home recovery if there is no damage to the spinal cord. While some pain is inevitable while recovering from whiplash, there are several things you can do to make the pain more manageable. Here are three tips that can help make your recovery easier.

Apply Ice Regularly

Ice is helpful for many types of muscle injuries, and whiplash is no exception. Ice helps to numb the pain of whiplash and to reduce swelling and inflammation by reducing the flow of blood to the affected area. While this will not necessarily cause your whiplash to heal more quickly, regular use of ice can make your recovery much more bearable.

When using ice to numb your neck pain, it is important to wrap the ice pack in a towel to protect your skin from frostbite. Even if you are covering the ice pack, it is safest to use it for only 15 to 20 minutes at a time every few hours.

Stretching and Physical Therapy

Your doctor will likely ask you to wear a neck brace for the first few days after your injury to stabilize the vertebrae in the neck and prevent further injury. After the neck brace is removed, regaining mobility in your neck will be the next priority.

Many doctors recommend simple stretches and range of motion exercises that can be done at home. For more severe cases, you may be referred to a physical therapist who will develop a personalized physical therapy routine to suit your needs. As your condition improves and you get used to the stretches and exercises, you will be able to continue practicing your routine at home rather than at the physical therapy clinic.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy can be beneficial for people recovering from whiplash in many ways. Massage relaxes the muscles in the neck, which can help relieve the pain that natural muscular tension places on the already damaged tissues in your neck.

Chiropractors can also use a technique called deep friction massage to promote mobility of the muscles in the neck and minimize scar tissue development within the torn muscles and ligaments. When used in combination with regular stretching or physical therapy, many people will see their normal range of motion in the neck return more quickly.

Using these tips in combination with over-the-counter or prescription pain medication can help you get through your recovery from whiplash with as little discomfort as possible.

To learn more about whiplash treatment, contact a company like Contino Chiropractic Center

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