7 Ways To Help Manage Pain After A Motorcycle Accident

Riding a motorcycle is a thrilling experience. That exhilaration, though, comes with serious risks. 

In the state of Michigan, there were a total of 2,728 motorcycle accidents in 2018 alone. Of that total, there were 192 fatalities and 2,004 injuries reported. According to NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), motorcycle riders are fatally injured about 28% more often than the occupants of other vehicles. The reason varies such as speeding, reckless lane changing, and driving under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. 

Even if the rider is fortunate enough to survive, they can suffer from extreme pain and aches caused by broken bones, soft tissue damage, road rash, and trauma to the spinal cord, neck, and head. Such injuries require intense care and extended periods to heal as well as incredibly expensive treatment. 

After a motorcycle accident, you’ll notice body aches, pains, and soreness right after a collision. Such pains come from the impact of the crash and any lacerations or wounds. After a few days, you’ll notice that your muscles had become sore and tight caused by several factors from your accident. 

When experiencing pain, it’s crucial that you relieve it. Here are a few ways you can ease the pain and speed up your healing process. 

  • Talk To Your Doctor

Suffering from pains and aches is quite normal after a motorcycle accident Michigan. However, you need to be attentive to these pain signals from your body to give your doctor specific details. 

Your doctor should be able to prescribe the necessary treatment and medications to relieve the pain. 

  • Apply Heat 

Heat can help soothe the aches and pains. The warmth of a thermal wrap or heating pad, or soaking in a hot tub can work wonders on your discomfort. 

High temperature can soothe the injured tissues while blocking pain receptors. Also, it helps in increasing blood flow to the area, flushing away the excess fluid, and reducing swelling. 

Furthermore, warmth simply feels great, contributing to overall relaxation which can be a good thing after an accident. Just don’t overdo application. Applying heat for 15 minutes every few hours should be enough to provide relief from pain. 

  • Massage Therapy

The healing powers of touch are well-documented. This is why a good massage can bring about some serious relief from aches and discomfort. 

When injured muscles are properly massaged and palpated, blood flow increases. The increase in blood flow can help reduce inflammation which generally causes pain. Also, a massage can promote overall relaxation and reduce tension that might be cutting off your blood flow to the injured area. 

There are various massage therapies you can opt for— like general massage, heated stone therapy, and deep tissue massage. Deep tissue massage can help relax those tightened muscles after an accident and relieve the body pain that you’re experiencing. 

  • Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

The body is 60% water. Water contains minerals and electrolytes. It’s also a solvent that helps in breaking down the vitamins and other nutrients in food. 

In addition, water makes up the plasma in the blood, allowing red blood cells to circulate and function properly. It provides the fluid supporting the interior of each of your cells. Without water, it all starts to break down. 

The need for water becomes critical after an accident. Your injured tissue needs greater blood flow to heal and remove acids and other waste materials. Also, fresh healthy cells are created to replace the damaged cells in the injured area. These new cells need intracellular fluid to form, and water provides this fluid. 

So, if you’re not getting enough water after an accident, you’re slowing down your healing process. The longer you heal, the longer you’ll need to put up with the pain and discomfort that your injury brings. Therefore, stay hydrated for faster healing.

  • Rest

Sleep assists in recovery. It’s the body’s way to regenerate damaged and injured tissue. Think of it as the time when your body runs routine maintenance and makes the essential repairs. 

When you fall into the deeper stages of sleep, there’s an increase in blood flow, bringing along nutrients and oxygen that help repair and recover muscles and regenerate cells. Hormones also play a role. When your body enters non-REM sleep, your pituitary gland releases hormones to stimulate muscle growth and repair. In particular, prolactin, a hormone regulating inflammation, is released while sleeping. 

When you don’t get enough rest, your blood flow and secretion of your hormones decline, making it harder for the body to recuperate from injuries. 

  • Stretching Exercises

After an accident, it’s crucial to exercise and stretch to regain full range of motion, balance, endurance, and flexibility. Regular movement can help keep your joints and muscles from getting weak and stiff. This helps in reducing inflammation and pain as a result of your injuries. 

In addition, because stretching exercises such as yoga require deep breathing, it can give your muscles enough oxygen and blood flow to work properly and ease inflammation.  

Consult your doctor and follow recommendations on the types and amount of exercise that are safe for you to do. Never push yourself too hard as it can worsen your injury and only prolong your agony. 

  • Speak With A Lawyer

After an accident, the medical bills to relieve pain can mount up quickly. Not to mention the damage to your motorcycle vehicle that requires repair or, worse, replacement. In addition, you might miss time at work, which results in lost wages. It can also cause emotional and psychological issues and trauma that can affect your quality of life. 

In such cases, hiring an experienced motorcycle accident Michigan lawyer and getting justice for your injuries, other personal damage, and troubles caused can be beneficial. While a lawsuit or claim will not make your physical pain and discomfort go away, it can provide relief from financial stress. This way, you can focus on what matters most— your well-being and health. 

Conclusion

Pain and discomfort after a motorcycle accident is a serious matter. Although you might think that this discomfort and pain will eventually go away with time, in most situations, it can only get worse if not treated accordingly. 

So, make sure to follow the above tips on how to relieve and manage pain— physically, emotionally, and financially. 

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