The Road to Recovery - Osteopathic Rehabilitation after a Road Traffic Accident

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As the weather gets worse, the days get shorter, and road conditions deteriorate, it is likely that there are going to be more road traffic accidents. Sometimes it’s not your fault and you may suffer an injury, such as whiplash, as a result of this.

If you’re a victim of this sort of accident then it can be overwhelming, especially if your car is damaged and you might have legal paperwork to sort out. You might put it to the back of your mind and try to forget about it because there are ‘more important’ things to worry about, but this is the worst thing you can do; your health should take priority over everything else.

Firstly, make sure you record the scene of the accident. Whilst this may seem like the last thing you want to do, it could save you a lot of time and effort when making personal injury claims later on. Most mobile phones take pictures nowadays, so make sure you take a picture of the whole scene, (including position of the cars), as well as close ups of the damage caused to each car. If your mobile phone doesn’t have a camera, keep a disposable one in the glove box.

If you suffer a strain or injury, osteopathy may be a good treatment method. Osteopaths use a series of techniques, including touch, physical manipulation, stretching and massage to relieve muscle discomfort and enhance the blood supply to help your body heal.

Another common treatment for injuries such as whiplash is rest, however this doesn’t mean sitting and doing nothing!Light, gentle exercise that does not cause added pain in the area can be helpful to try and gradually restore motion, and to increase blood flow through the area, aiding recovery. Dynamic stretching, and gentle, progressive cardio and resistance training can also help cure this type of injury. You need to push yourself, but not so much that you further aggravate the injury, as this will set back your recovery a long way. Gradually build up your exercise, using the advice of a physiotherapist or personal trainer.

In short, don’t neglect the signals your body is telling you. Whilst there may be several other things to sort out, your body will be with you for the rest of your life. If you’re in pain, see your Osteopath as soon as possible, and they can look over you and suggest the best treatment.