Best herbs/supplements/practices when recovering from a car accident

[curly_kate]

As you probably guessed from the subject, I was in a car accident today. Someone swerved in front of me in the highway, so I plowed into them headfirst. Unfortunately, my trusty little Hyundai is no longer, but it definitely did it's job, as I am already back at home after a stop off in the ER & a whole bunch of Xrays.

Anyway, I got the usual muscle relaxer & pain med. What else can I do/take to help my muscles heal? I feel like I went a couple of rounds with Mike Tyson, and this is only a couple of hours after the accident. I'm a little nervous about how I'm going to feel in the morning. I actually happen to have a 3 day weekend, so I'm going to be able to take it easy (DH even said he'd weed the garden for me!). Any suggestions you can give would be MUCH appreciated!

 

[justusnak]

I would soak in a nice hot bath, with some Epsom salts. It will help with those sore muscles. And, oh yeah, expect to be VERY sore in the morning, after laying in bed all night. Im so glad to hear you are ok tho. I cant imagine how scarey that would be!

 

[abifae]

I've found that baths in yarrow helps pull lactic acid from muscles, so will help lots once you are moving again

 

[dragonlaurel]

What were your injuries? It's hard to know what you need, except that you are likely to be sore. I'm glad you were okay enough to go home.
Remember to "rice it" if possible. Rest- Ice- Compression- Elevation

 

[hwillm1977]

I was in a car accident (almost like yours... idiot woman reached for something on the floor of the passenger side, idiot woman weaved into my lane 15 feet from the front of my car, I hit her head-on before I could even hit the brakes) almost 4 weeks ago. I totalled my car, but it certainly did it's job too... I was relaxed because it happened so fast I didn't tense up and before I knew it my face was in an airbag... I did get my first ride in an ambulance though, and then a 7 hour wait in triage for a doctor

Anyway... because I'm pregnant I didn't take anything at all for the pain, I just took it easy for a few days. I did have a nice warm bath each day, and by the fourth day felt absolutely fine... just vague soreness after that. I tried to keep moving each day, as tempting as it was to mooch on the sofa all day I walked the dogs and puttered around the house. I figured the light movement would help stop my muscles from all seizing up (I had nothing more than a few bruises and pulled muscles though).

It sounds like you are a lot more sore than I was, so here's hoping you don't feel too bad when you get up this morning and that you are feeling fine in a few days. You were really lucky that your car did what it was supposed to do and you are fine... thank God for that.

Feel better soon!

 

[2dream]

Sorry your trusty car is no more but so glad it did its job. I have no words of wisdom for your aches and pains but do have some insurance advice. Do not sign any waivers for several weeks on your medical. Whip lash can take some time to show up. It took mine almost 2 weeks from the date of the accident.
Take care of yourself. And keep moving.

 

[curly_kate]

Thanks! I am feeling actually a bit better this morning, but definitely very sore. My whiplash showed up right away, so that's definitely documented for the weather. I guess I'm going to have to get rid of my dislike of baths! Sounds like that is probably the way to go. Although if I made up an epsom salt solution, do you think I could soak a towel in it, and put that on my back? It's awfully hot & muggy here right now, so a hot bath is not too appealing.

 

[Javamama]

Arnica cream, magnesium, vitamin C, epsom salt baths - the soaked towel would probably be OK. I would go ahead with ibuprofen too.
Hope you feel better soon!

 

[hwillm1977]

I have no words of wisdom for your aches and pains but do have some insurance advice. Do not sign any waivers for several weeks on your medical. Whip lash can take some time to show up. It took mine almost 2 weeks from the date of the accident.
Take care of yourself. And keep moving.

I agree... careful on signing any insurance things... I'm not letting them close off my injury claim until after the baby is born in November.

Glad you're not feeling too bad this morning!

 

[MorelCabin]

I would definitely see a chiropractor about the whiplash! I had a head on about 8 years ago now. A friend of mine who had an accident at the same time is STILL experiencing effects from the whiplash, and mine were over within 3 weeks of the accident...in fact, my neck is better than it ever was ( I had bursitis in my neck before the accident.) My two children who were also involved saw the chiro with me and they also have no problems. I totalled my truck in the head on, completely busted the doors off it and broke my steering wheel in half with my head.
The only thing I can say is go see the chiro as soon as possible, wait too long and the injuries will already be set...and you'll be seeing someone regularily the rest of your life instead.