Massage therapy will calm your nerves
If you have been in an automobile accident, your doctor may prescribe massage as part of your treatment plan. Massage can address the stress that goes with a traumatic event like a car accident, and it can help address many of the sprains, strains, and other injuries common in a motor vehicle accident. Immediately after a car accident, massage therapy can help you recover by helping to restore balance to your autonomic nervous system – in other words, the relaxation benefits of massage can help reverse the effects that the shock and trauma of a car wreck can have on your nervous system.
Massage therapy will help reduce swelling
Massage also promotes the circulation of both blood and lymph, which can help manage the swelling (edema) that usually comes with auto accident injuries. During the sub-acute stage (a few days to a few weeks, or even longer, after the accident), massage can help maintain and improve range of motion and may help prevent the formation of scar tissue and other myofascial adhesions.
Massage therapy will restore balance
Later in your recovery, orthopedic massage can address specific musculoskeletal injuries like whiplash, neck pain, back pain, headaches, shoulder sprains/strains, etc. While it is important to check with your physician before adding massage to any type of medical care after a car accident, massage therapy has few side effects and provides a pharmaceutical-free option for pain relief. Ask your doctor to recommend a massage therapist who has training in addressing your specific medical conditions.