Once you suffer a serious injury, the road to recovery can be quite long and possibly even painful. Some injuries require long-term care, while others can be managed in a visit or two.
No matter how long the road is, when you’re in the process of healing, there are several ways to make your healing journey a little easier.
1. Contact an attorney
How can an attorney make your healing journey easier? Say you’re involved in a car accident in Florida. Your insurance company will try to lowball your payout and you’ll struggle to negotiate a good deal without an attorney.An attorney negotiating on your behalf will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Although negotiating any deal is hard, there are many factors most people skip when negotiating a claim. For example, did you have to rent a car? An attorney can help you get compensation for your rental car.
There are many things an attorney can do for you after an accident that you can’t do on your own. They’ll be your rock and your legal representative, and can even help you find a reputable doctor qualified to treat your specific injuries.
As a good start, select one with a proven track record in handling similar cases. They should have ample experience and understanding of state-specific laws and regulations regarding personal injury claims. Maintaining open and transparent communication with your legal counsel is also crucial, keeping them informed about every development related to your injury, treatment, and other aspects, ensuring a more robust representation.
2. Follow your doctor’s advice
The most important thing you can do is follow your doctor’s advice. If there’s any chance you’ll file a lawsuit, not following your doctor’s advice can hurt your case. Not only will it suggest you’re not as injured as you claim, but avoiding recommended treatment can be interpreted as making your injury worse in order to collect more compensation.
Ignoring your doctor’s advice can also hurt an insurance claim, so be careful about your choices. If you have a personal disagreement or aversion to certain types of treatment or drugs, make sure you document everything.
For instance, if you don’t want to take pain killers because addiction runs in your family, document your reasoning and then seek advice from another doctor.
If you prefer natural pain killers, like arnica, find a naturopathic or holistic doctor who will prescribe it for your pain so that your choice is supported by a qualified professional. If you can’t get it prescribed, find medical research that supports using arnica to treat pain, like this study from PubMed.
Adhering to a structured, personalized rehabilitation program recommended by workers compensation doctors is also crucial. Engage in all recommended physical therapy sessions, medical check-ups, and follow-ups to monitor your progress. Consistently communicating with your healthcare provider regarding any changes in symptoms, pain levels, or concerns is vital for adjusting treatment plans to ensure optimal recovery. Exploring alternative treatments, such as acupuncture or chiropractic care, under the supervision and approval of your doctor can also be beneficial.
3. Reduce your stress
Feeling stressed comes naturally after an injury, but stress is detrimental to healing. Do everything possible to reduce or eliminate stress in your life. For instance, don’t feel bad about not showing up to family gatherings where you know everyone is just going to be fighting all the time.
If your boss is stressing you out despite your injury, see if you can take time off for medical reasons. If you don’t qualify, take as much personal time off as possible.
Besides taking time off and avoiding stressful situations, practicing mindfulness, meditation, and deep breathing exercises can also aid in managing stress levels more effectively. Creating a peaceful and nurturing healing environment, as well as seeking emotional support from loved ones, can also help reduce stress levels. Furthermore, establishing a routine and setting achievable recovery goals can provide structure and direction, ultimately reducing stress and guiding you towards a smoother path of recovery.
4. Don’t stay completely inactive
Depending on your injury, staying at least somewhat active could play a huge role in your recovery. While some injuries require you to remain immobile in order to heal, that’s not the case with every injury. In fact, many injuries require you to be semi-active to heal properly.
It’s the use-it-or-lose-it concept. If you stay in bed for weeks or even months without using your muscles, you’ll lose muscle mass and you’re going to struggle more when you try to get back to your daily activities. In that case, you can end up hurting yourself simply because you haven’t been using your body for a long time.
Engaging in doctor-approved, low-impact activities like swimming or walking is a great way to maintain muscle tone and flexibility while minimizing stress on the injury. To strike a balanced approach, it’s crucial to find the right combination of rest and activity. Additionally, paying attention to your hydration levels and maintaining a well-balanced diet are key factors in supporting your recovery.
It’s important to rest, but it’s equally important to maintain your body at the same time to whatever extent is safe. Even if all you can do is a tiny bit of strength training with bands, do what you can to prevent muscle loss and it will be easier to transition back into your normal life when you’re ready.
5. Focus on nutrition
Depending on your injury, you might be stuck healing in the hospital, but hopefully you’re able to go home. Healing in a more natural way can be difficult in the hospital since you don’t really have a choice in what you can eat.
If you’re healing in your own space, do some research to find out what nutrients can help you heal naturally. For instance, you’ll find benefits to consuming lion’s mane gummies, omega-3s, curcumin, turmeric, Vitamin C, gamma-linolenic acid, and more.
Play by the book
Everyone heals differently, and that includes emotional healing. You might feel frustrated or angry as you heal, and that’s okay. Just remember to play by the book no matter how tough things get. It’s not worth risking the loss of your compensation.