Personal injury is a general legal term that describes a bodily injury or emotional injury that occurs to a person, as opposed to property damage. While this is a legal concept, if you are suffering from a personal injury,…

Personal injury is a general legal term that describes a bodily injury or emotional injury that occurs to a person, as opposed to property damage. While this is a legal concept, if you are suffering from a personal injury, the pain can have a devastating impact on your quality of life.

Personal injury can occur due to a car accident, a workplace accident, at home, or out in public. Injury types can also run the gamut from a bodily injury like back pain or hip pain to mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.

In nearly any personal injury situation, whether it involves a lawyer, a workers’ compensation claim, or is being handled privately, there are still practical steps that patients can take to help find relief. Our team is happy to share the following tips for personal injury relief. Please reach out if you have any questions or would like to learn more about your treatment options.

1. Always Get Your Personal Injury Checked Out By a Medical Professional

No matter where or how it happens, you should always see a doctor to get checked out after any personal injury. Even if it seems minor, it’s always important to get a clear diagnosis, establish a medical record and start treatment for any injury you sustained. If it is a workplace injury, you may be directed to a specific physician or practice, but this can vary according to state law.

Many effects of personal injury can be delayed, including the onset of neck pain and back pain. So by diagnosing it as early as possible and creating a treatment plan, you can give yourself the best chance of staying on top of your pain and achieving long-term relief.

2. Regularly Use At-Home Treatments

Some of the most effective treatments for personal injuries are ones you can do yourself in the comfort of home. For example, if you are dealing with back pain after an injury, in addition to getting plenty of rest and engaging in light activity, many doctors recommend alternating hot and cold therapy.

Using a heating pad or taking a hot shower for a period of 10 to 20 minutes at a time can help relax tense or sore muscles while promoting circulation. Alternating heat with cold therapy, such as an ice pack, can help temporarily numb the area and relieve inflammation. Speak with your doctor about the best specific methods for your needs.

Over-the-counter medication is another simple at-home remedy for back pain or other minor symptoms of a personal injury. Always take medication as directed and only as needed. Your care provider can tell you the type of medication that is most appropriate for your specific diagnosis.

3. Staying Healthy and Active is Essential

Although rest and avoiding overexertion is important to the healing process for any injury, so is staying active. Regular light activity and therapeutic exercise promotes cardiovascular health and prevents muscle atrophy. Activity can be as simple as some light stretching and a quick walk around the house or your block.

Other healthy life choices are important as well. This includes eating a nutrient-rich diet that includes plenty of protein and healthy fats and avoids inflammatory ingredients like processed sugar and saturated fats. It is also important to stay hydrated and avoid excessive alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

4. Commit to Physical Therapy for a Stronger and More Functional Body

Physical therapy is a highly effective treatment and an important aspect of many personal injury treatment plans, particularly spine injuries that cause neck pain or back pain. A physical therapist can help assess functional problems caused by the injury and provide a treatment plan based on active and passive therapies that help strengthen the body and increase range-of-motion.

If it is a workplace injury, patients may be directed to a specific provider or list of providers, but going to the best possible physical therapy and rehabilitation center for your needs can have an impact on your long-term prospects for relief.

5. Anti-Inflammatory Injections Can Provide Significant Relief

Another helpful personal injury treatment are pain-relieving anti-inflammatory injections. Typically a combination of a numbing agent and a corticosteroid, these injections are administered at or near the injury site and can provide weeks to months of relief. Often, injections can allow a patient to stay active and complete a rehabilitation program that may not have been possible otherwise.

6. Explore Alternative Therapies Too

Acupuncture and therapeutic massage are two great examples of so-called alternative therapies that can be highly effective in offering relief for a personal injury. By using these techniques in conjunction with a comprehensive treatment program, many patients find meaningful improvement in their overall health and wellness.

When looking into any alternative therapy to relieve back pain, neck pain or other injury-related symptoms, you should always work with a licensed and credentialed provider with deep experience in your type of case.

7. Know When to Explore Surgery

For a large number of personal injuries, surgery is usually a last-resort treatment. For example, in the case of back pain caused by a herniated disc or bulging disc, patients will usually thoroughly attempt a conservative treatment program with the above options before exploring surgery. However, if you have attempted weeks or months of treatment and pain still remains debilitating, surgery may represent your best chance of long-term relief.

Fortunately, due to advances in medical technology and surgical technique, spine surgery has become far less invasive and offers the possibility of a shorter recovery time.

Spine Center Atlanta Provides Comprehensive Personal Injury Relief

If you are dealing with a personal injury that is causing neck pain, back pain or other spine-related symptoms, turn to the expert and experienced team at Spine Center Atlanta. Dr. James L. Chappuis and his highly-skilled, multidisciplinary team are committed to personalized treatment that is right for each person who comes to us for help. Whether you were in an automobile injury, workplace accident, or any other type of personal injury, we know how to help.

Contact us today to learn more about our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced treatments.