Car accidents can cause a variety of physical problems, and many people seek massage therapy for relief from issues such as whiplash and other aches and pains. Today’s medical experts are increasingly aware of massage therapy’s potential for facilitating health, wellness, and injury recovery, and research supports these benefits. Here are some reasons to find a massage therapist after being in a car accident.
Massage Therapy for a Concussion
People often hit their heads in car crashes, and the symptoms associated with these injuries can last long after an accident.
Massage Therapy Can Relieve Whiplash
Whiplash injuries are common in automobile and sports accidents. People who get whiplash may experience pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, among other symptoms. Some people may feel mental or emotional symptoms such as loss of memory or focus, insomnia, and depression.
Massage Therapy Can Ease Neck Pain
Many people get a deep tissue massage to help relieve chronic ache and pain in the neck after a car accident. Massage therapy can release tension in a stiff neck, sore shoulders or upper back.
Massage Therapy Can Help Manage Stress, Anxiety, and PTSD
A terrible car accident can be a trigger for trauma. Massage therapy is an excellent addition to an overall treatment plan for sufferers of Post Traumatic Stress and other disorder. Once a person is able to relax through massage, circulation improves, sleep patterns can return to normal, and a more relaxed patient is more open to other modalities such as talk therapy that can help them resolve the issues at the root of his or her PTSD.
Massage Therapy for Spinal Cord Injuries
Massage benefits people with spinal-cord injuries by increasing their range of motion and muscle strength while decreasing anxiety and depression.
Massage Therapy for Knee Injuries
Massage therapists try to unravel and release structures around your knee that is likely to exacerbate pain. Techniques like effleurage, petrissage, muscle stripping, trigger point therapy, myofascial release, cross-fibre friction, and ischemic compression are used to restore integrity and balance to the knee joint.
Massage Therapy for Immediate Emotional Trauma
The body remembers what the mind forgets is something body therapists say when it comes to both physical or psychological trauma and the body. Massage therapists often see proof in this when working on clients. The client starts to tense up when a particular part of the arm is touched, may laugh when getting a foot massage, or begin to cry as they relax during a back massage. It seems to come out of nowhere and may startle or confuse both the therapist and the client. Everything we do and everything that happens to us and around us affects the nervous system, including the brain and the muscles enervated by each experience. Massage therapy can help to release and even assist in healing the imbalance caused by trauma to both the body and mind.
While it is important to check with your physician before adding massage to any type of medical care after a car accident, massage therapy typically 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 (or working around) your specific medical conditions.