You might be asking yourself and your doctor this very question right now. No doubt that there has been some improvement from those early days right after the car crash but it is months later and you are still having the back and neck pain virtually on a daily basis.
If this is your situation, ask yourself first whether you have been following your therapy programme. The medical research says that the ideal plan combines the benefits of the various types of therapies available. In B.C., the four leading therapies for car accident injuries are chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage and kinesiology (active rehab / exercise therapy). If you have been following a programme that exposes you to all of these types of treatment, then you are on the right track. If not, then you need to do so.
There are some folks who complain about pain but who have every excuse in the book to avoid completing their entire rehabilitative therapy programme. They don’t have time or it’s too far away or it doesn’t seem to be helping, etc. Your doctor will have a hard time taking your complaints seriously if you don’t take your treatment programme seriously.
Secondly, look at your job. If you have a very physical job, and you finish the day riddled with pain, you may need to look at options such as lighter duties if they are available or part-time hours if you can manage it financially. These measures may be needed on a temporary basis to give your body a better chance to recover.
Look at your recreational pursuits. You may be addicted to golf, but if a morning round of golf means an afternoon wincing in pain, you may need to cut back for a while.
Try to get more sleep and eat as well as you can – less candy bars and more broccoli.
If you are doing everything right and you still have significant pain, talk to your doctor about referral to a medical specialist or pain clinic for further evaluation.