Car Accident Recovery with Massage by Emily Teja

If you get into a car accident, it can cause various physical problems. You may find that you’re having frequent headaches, sore muscles, and/or limited range of motion. Whether severe or minor, a car accident can cause your body to become defensive to offset the collision. That can often result in micro tears in the musculature, leading to inflammation and scar tissue. Although there are a lot of different aspects to take care of in a car accident, it’s imperative to consider massage therapy for your long-term well-being.
Medical massage therapy is a well-established method to recover and restore your body after a car accident. A professional massage should improve issues such as whiplash. In a study, it was found that over 83% of people who sought massage treatment after an auto accident found their symptoms to be much improved (Dies and Strapp 142). A therapist might use swedish, lymphatic, trigger point, and deep tissue massage to address muscle pain post-accident. Seeing a massage therapist at least a week after a wreck can expedite healing, quickening your recovery time.
The benefits of getting a post-accident massage include:

Loosening muscles to decrease muscle spasms: When your body goes into defensive mode, your muscles contract to protect themselves. When muscles get tight and lose their flexibility, it leads to pain and sometimes muscle spasms. Your muscles can't heal while spasms are in action. Utilizing massage therapy can help to eliminate those spasms and loosen those muscles letting the body heal. 

Improving range of motion: Often, after an auto accident, individuals can display a decrease in their range of motion. Symptoms may show being unable to lift your arm over your head or not turning your head as far as before the injury. This can cause many issues in activities of daily living as well as pain. Thankfully, massage therapy can help restore your flexibility and movement.

Reducing pain: It is practically impossible to sustain a car accident without some sort of muscle damage. You might not feel it instantly, but you will likely notice discomfort and stiffness after a day or so. Without massage treatment encouraging those muscles to relax, that discomfort or pain could last for months. The key to healing and speeding up your recovery involves eliminating the root of the problem.
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Emotional healing through relaxation:  Car accidents are jarring, stressful experiences, leaving your brain overloaded and your emotions fried. Unwinding in massage therapy can help put you at ease. Relaxing while relieving tightness, decreasing muscle spasms, and reducing pain, provides a safe space for mental and physical recovery. Even if you are lucky enough to come out of an accident unharmed, getting a massage can still be incredibly helpful to reset and ground your mind. 
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Citations
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Baldwin, Steven. “Restoring Your Health with Massage Therapy after a Car Accident.” Dreamclinic Massage  Seattle - Seattle's Trusted Source for Massage and Acupuncture., 28 Feb. 2019, https://dreamclinic.com/massage-therapy/restoring-health-massage-therapy-car-accident. Accessed 17 April 2023.

Dies, Stephen and Strapp, Walter J. Chiropractic treatment of patients in motor vehicle accidents: a statistical analysis. 1992 Sep; 36(3) 145.
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Muscle Matters. “7 Ways Massage Therapy Can Help after a Car Accident.” Muscle Matters, 21 Nov. 2019, https://musclematters.ca/2019/11/18/7-ways-massage-therapy-can-help-after-a-car-accident/. Accessed 17 April 2023.