Motor Vehicle Accidents
Early access to the right physical therapist decreases long-term costs, unnecessary surgeries, imaging, and medications.
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) are another name for car accidents. This typically involves two cars or a car and a bicyclist or pedestrian. Each year, there are around five million accidents in the United States alone, and around two million people are injured!
Common Injuries After A Car Accident
The extent of car accident injuries depends on the severity of the accident. In cases of low-impact car accidents such as being rear-ended at 20 miles per hour, injuries will likely involve things like muscle strains, concussions, and whiplash. Whiplash involves pain and stiffness in the neck after a sudden impact, which can result in constant headaches and neck pain.
In cases of high-impact collisions, such as the driver being struck by a vehicle, more serious injuries can happen. Trauma injuries from car accidents may include fractures, shoulder or hip dislocations, knee ligament injuries, and even chest and organ damage.
Treatment For MVA-Related Injuries
Depending on the severity of injuries, it is possible that someone in a car accident may need surgery or extensive rehabilitation to recover. If someone is recovering from a fracture and surgery, MVA physical therapy will focus on improving range of motion of surrounding joints, and gradually strengthening the area so it can regain normal function. Physical therapy around concussions and whiplash which often occur together will involve gradual neck movements, gentle stretching, mobility of the neck, and strengthening exercises to reduce pain, dizziness, and stiffness in the neck. For muscle strains and pain, your physical therapist will use manual therapy to massage muscles and mobilize joints, gradually stretch, and strengthen muscles in the area.
Benefits Of Physical Therapy After An Accident
The goal of car accident physical therapy is to facilitate the recovery of muscles, joints, and symptoms to levels before the accident. Your physical therapist will work on strategies to decrease your pain including things to work on at home for pain control. Your PT will educate you on exercises to perform to improve your strength and mobility and educate you on movements to avoid as you recover. All of these strategies allow you to control your pain and take an active role in your recovery to return to your normal life as soon as possible!
