The Benefits of Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
Physical therapy has many benefits, especially as the number of car accidents continues to rise. Did you know the National Safety Council estimated that the United States had nearly 5 million motor vehicle accidents in 2023? The collisions were severe enough to require medical attention for either the driver or passenger.
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In the same year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that over 2.5 million people were injured in auto accidents. Physical therapy is a great way to help you recover in the months and weeks that follow.
FMPM Doctors are well-versed in helping car accident victims regain their physical function and quality of life after an accident. Our team discusses the importance of including physical therapy in your treatment plan, especially if you have suffered injuries related to car accidents.
Common Auto Accident Injuries that Require Physical Therapy
Many types of injuries can result from car accidents. As a passenger or driver, you could be injured by the collision’s impact or cuts caused by broken glass. You may also hurt yourself if you hit your head or smash your wrist against the dashboard or the console.
Despite the numerous ways to get hurt, certain injuries are common in vehicle accidents. Physical therapists who specialize in treating car accident victims see many of these injuries in different stages of severity.
The following are some of the most common injuries that physical therapists treat:
- Spinal cord injury
- Back Pain
- Neck pain or whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries like muscle strains
- Joint damage
- Concussions
- Broken bones
Even if there are no obvious symptoms, it is important to get medical help as soon as possible after an accident. Your primary care doctor may suggest physical therapy after you have stabilized and started to heal.
Top Physical Therapist Benefits in Car Accidents
Reduce the Risk of Chronic Disease
According to the World Health Organization, approximately 2.4 billion people suffer from a condition that requires some form of rehab, including physical therapy. It may take days or even weeks for you to realize that you’ve been injured in an accident. Even minor collisions can have a significant impact on your body. They won’t disappear on their own.
Pain in the knees, back, neck, and shoulders can last for many months or even years. You’ll feel significant pain, stiffness, and a reduced range of movement without treatment. Physical therapy can help reduce this risk. It will also ensure that you do not develop chronic pain conditions, which take longer to heal.
Reduce Pain
No one can be surprised that you will feel pain after a car crash. Even though you may want to stay in bed for days or even weeks, it is usually beneficial to get up and move around. A study published in the Journal of Physiology in 2017 showed that a single exercise session with chronic pain can make it worse, but regular exercises can alleviate both acute and chronic pain.
Your car accident recovery will be easier if you work with a physical therapist who is experienced. With the help of a physical therapist, you’ll be able to engage in safe and strategic exercises. The body benefits from the process in several ways.
- You will be required to participate in a variety of exercises.
- You will feel your heart pumping more oxygen-rich fluid to the injured area.
- You will be able to transport nutrients that are needed in the area.
- Increased circulation stimulates your body’s own healing mechanisms.
All the exercises that your physical therapist will ask you to perform are designed to help promote healing. Rest is important for healing but so is targeted movement. You can improve your mobility and function while encouraging healing.
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Accelerate Your Recovery Time
Nobody wants to be forced to wait for a long time to recover from an injury sustained in a car accident. The faster you recover, you can return to your normal life. Physical therapy is often more effective than medical treatment or medication for people who have been injured.
You’ll be able to better understand the severity of your injury and the daily exercises you need to do in order to recover. Physical therapy techniques, from stretches to targeted exercise, engage your muscles, connective tissue, and joints in order to minimize pain and avoid stiffness. You can get the benefits from physical therapy right at your fingertips. Your body will be given a boost to its natural healing powers.
Avoid Invasive Procedures
If you don’t seek treatment for minor injuries, they can quickly turn into serious conditions. For example, if your car accident injury includes a small shoulder tear and you ignore your doctor’s instructions or don’t get medical help, the tear may worsen.
Unfortunately, repairing a ligament tear that is worsening may require surgery. This procedure is invasive and requires a longer period of recovery. Surgery can also leave you susceptible to infection, scarring, and other complications, including potentially addictive pain medication. However, you may be able to avoid surgery by undergoing physical therapy, depending on what type of injuries the auto accident caused.
Improve Mobility & Function
Exercises and activities prescribed by a physical therapist will strengthen muscles, ligaments, and tissues that are vulnerable, while also protecting other vital structures in your body. You may still be bothered by an old car accident injury. Your physical therapist will evaluate your symptoms and pain to diagnose your condition. They can then create a treatment plan.
The goal of any physical therapy plan is to restore your mobility and help you achieve full function. Strength training is one of the most effective ways to improve mobility and function. The therapist might also recommend cardiac rehabilitation techniques like stretching, resistance bands, or water exercises.
Strengthen Your Body
If you are wearing a cast on your arm or leg, it is possible that the injury will not heal if you move. You will still experience a weakening of the affected part without regular use. Physical therapy is used to strengthen the muscles and help you feel better.
Physical Therapy Can Improve Your Quality Of Life.
A car accident can have a profound impact on your physical and psychological well-being. You could cause yourself harm if you ignore your feelings or are not aware of an injury. Living with pain after an accident can have a serious impact on your quality of life. You may not be able to do the things you enjoy or use your body fully. Let physical therapy help you to address these issues before they become serious health concerns. You will feel and move better with the personalized care that you receive.
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Experience a pain-free life! Call us at (727) 268-0172
Transform your recovery journey with FMPM
Are you or someone you know struggling with pain after a car accident? FMPM is here to guide you toward a pain-free and active life. Our team of experienced professionals specializes in personalized pain management solutions tailored to your unique needs.
Call FMPM now to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a pain-free future!
Discover the benefits of FMPM:
- Personalized Pain Management Plans
- Experienced and Caring Professionals
- Comprehensive Rehabilitation Services
- Same-Day Appointments Available
Don’t let pain control your life! Take charge and call FMPM today. Your journey to pain relief starts now!
Our Treatment Services
Florida Medical Pain Management’s top priority is serving our patients’ needs and creating long-lasting relationships with them. Our treatments include:
- Treatment for Neuropathy
- Arthritis Management
- Back Pain Medication
- Chronic Pain Treatments
- Epidural Injection
- Regenerative Medicine
- Hip Pain Medication
- Ketamine Infusion Therapy
We want to help patients live more fulfilling and productive lives by effectively managing their pain. Florida Medical Pain Management also provides home therapy and many more. Click here to see our other services.
