Did you know that 50 million Americans are currently coping with chronic pain on a daily basis? Although chronic pain can have many root causes, one of the most popular is car accidents. When you’ve been injured in a serious car accident in California, you may discover that some of your pain, especially that in your neck, back, and head, continues to persist for months or years after the accident.

A recent study by the National Institutes of Health reports that one in three people across the U.S. has experienced pain in the last three months. While you might feel as though you’re alone in coping with your pain and the challenges of your life post-accident, you don’t have to be. Getting insight from an experienced attorney may be the critical first step towards recovering compensation for your injuries.

One of the most frustrating aspects of chronic pain after a car accident is that the treatments for chronic pain have not improved greatly over the course of history. While scientific research has spent a great deal of time and money exploring other medical issues, pain management lags behind. The most common way to address chronic pain after a car accident is to use opioids. Aside from having many side effects, these drugs can also be addictive and a user may ultimately become tolerant to the medication.

If you notice that you’re struggling to manage your pain days or weeks after a car accident, your experience is not unique. Since car accidents can lead to severe chronic pain, it’s a good idea to consult with your medical professional as soon as possible about long-term treatment options. In addition to medication, you may be able to support your overall health and healing with good nutrition, stretching, and physical therapy. That being said, many car accident victims struggle to return to their lifestyle before the accident when they have sustained an injury leading to chronic pain.