In the aftermath of a car accident, the road to recovery includes more than simply bandaging up any visible physical injuries. Part of your treatment for car accident injuries may include College Park physical therapy. In fact, physical therapy can play a crucial role in the healing process after a car accident. Beyond merely addressing immediate pain from an injury, physical therapy offers a comprehensive approach to helping you recover and rehabilitate after an accident. Your car accident doctor may recommend you work with a physical therapist to restore mobility, strength, and overall healthy functioning. Let’s explore the various benefits of physical therapy after a car accident, including how this specialized form of care plays a pivotal role in not only recovering from injuries but also in getting you back to your regular routines and activities.
How Do I Know If I Need Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?
A car accident injury can not only leave you in pain but could also negatively impact your strength and mobility. Recognizing the need for physical therapy after a car accident is pivotal in ensuring a swift and effective recovery. While immediate and obvious car accident injuries may prompt you to visit a car accident doctor, there are also subtle signs and symptoms of injuries that should not be overlooked. Some car accident injuries are referred to as hidden injuries because it can take hours or even days for symptoms to set in. After an accident, your body is flooded with adrenaline and you might even be in shock. These responses can mask pain and other symptoms of a car accident injury.
Experiencing pain, stiffness, or a limited range of motion days or even weeks after a car accident can be a sign that your body may benefit from the expertise of a physical therapist. In addition, symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or difficulty concentrating, which may not be directly linked to visible or obvious injuries, can be addressed through targeted therapeutic interventions with a car accident doctor. You will also want to mention any pain or discomfort that may show up in areas you initially thought were unaffected by the accident. Consulting with a car accident doctor promptly can help identify and address these issues, preventing potential long-term complications and promoting a more comprehensive recovery process.
Common Reasons for PT After a Car Accident
Car accidents can result in a variety of injuries, and physical therapy can be beneficial for addressing many of these conditions. Here are seven common reasons for seeing a physical therapist after a car accident:
- Whiplash: The sudden force of impact from a car accident can cause jerking movements of your head and neck. Whiplash symptoms commonly include neck pain, tenderness, muscle stiffness, and reduced neck mobility.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments can occur anywhere in the body from a car accident, causing pain and reduced mobility.
- Spine Injuries: Herniated discs, fractures, or sprains in the spine can lead to neck or back pain and discomfort.
- Fractures and Dislocations: Broken bones or joint dislocations can require temporary restricted movement. These types of injuries may require rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility in the affected area.
- Concussion: A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury. Even a mild blow to the head can result in a concussion, which requires careful management and rehabilitation.
- Joint Injuries: Impact during a car accident can damage joints, leading to conditions like sprains, strains, or even arthritis. Sprained ankles or wrists and damage to vertebrae are common joint injuries from a car accident.
- Nerve Damage: Compression or trauma to nerves can result in pain, numbness, or tingling sensations, which often require medical attention.
5 Benefits of Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
Physical therapy can play a key role in recovering from a car accident and offers a wide range of benefits, both physical and mental. Here are five key benefits you can expect when working with a College Park physical therapist.
Reducing Pain
Pain is one of the most common symptoms of most car accident injuries. Whether you are dealing with headaches and stiffness in your neck from a whiplash injury or recovering from a dislocated shoulder, managing pain through recovery is an important part of treatment. A physical therapist will utilize various techniques to help you manage your pain effectively.
Restoring Mobility
Physical therapy focuses on restoring and improving your mobility after a car accident. A car accident injury can impact muscles, tendons, joints, and more, making it difficult to complete everyday movements or tasks while you recover. Physical therapy provides you with therapeutic techniques to help restore these movements and your range of motion. Therapeutic stretches and exercises are one way your physical therapist may work with you to restore mobility after a car accident.
Improving Strength
You might be surprised at how a car accident injury can leave you feeling weak and even unsteady with motions that used to come naturally. Your College Park physical therapist will work with you to improve your strength through a combination of techniques, including stretches and exercises, that target weakened muscles. Improving your strength and stability while you recover can also help reduce the risk of re-injury and improve your overall health and physical fitness.
Minimizing Complications
Prompt treatment and rehabilitation for car accident injuries can also help minimize complications and prevent long-term issues. When you work with a physical therapist after a car accident, they will walk you through techniques that not only help you recover but also help prevent the development of chronic conditions. Targeted exercises and interventions with a physical therapist will help you regain healthy functioning and return to your daily activities more quickly.
Enhancing Quality of Life
Partnering with a physical therapist on your recovery can help improve your overall quality of life. A car accident can leave you physically injured and may even shake your confidence. Taking an active role in your recovery with physical therapy can help you regain your independence and get back to your regular routines. Physical therapy offers you the chance to recover from your recent injuries while also learning about how to improve your overall functioning to reduce the risk of re-injury and feel stronger than ever before.
College Park Physical Therapy at AICA
Visit AICA Orthopedics College Park to get started on physical therapy after a car accident. At AICA Orthopedics, our team of car accident doctors work together to provide you with a personalized treatment and recovery plan. Get X-rays after a car accident, meet with a College Park chiropractor, and set up physical therapy all in one convenient location with AICA Orthopedics in College Park.