Auto Accident Physical Therapy: Helping You Recover!

 Well, being involved in a vehicle accident takes only a few seconds. However, what you face afterwards can hang around for weeks or even months. Further, even a small impact collision may leave you with a stiff neck or aching shoulders that seemingly do not dull. That is where auto accident physical therapy comes in! It provides a systematic healing plan as opposed to the body beginning to find its own way to heal without a guide.

Some drivers may feel well after an accident and think they were not hurt until the next morning when they can barely turn their heads. Further, very often, days or weeks after an accident, the pain occurs under the veil of adrenaline and inflammation within the first hours of the incident. That’s why it’s essential to visit a physical therapy clinic after an accident to get your body evaluated by healthcare experts. So they can give you science-backed answers on whether everything is good or not.  

The Next Steps After a Crash

Not all aches experienced after an accident mean a treatment is needed immediately; however, there are some indications that a checkup is necessary. These include:

• Rigidity in the neck or back that occurs for several hours or even a day after the accident.
• Weakness, numbness, or tingling in the arms or legs.
• Pain that disrupts sleep or ability to function normally during the day

Remember, when there is no visible injury, this doesn’t mean that the body is completely alright. Strained muscles and ligaments can’t be seen on normal X-rays. Further, nonspecific later symptoms can occur if it’s not addressed in its early stages.

What Physical Therapy Does After an Auto Accident

If the evaluation is successful in determining what is occurring, the physical therapist crafts a treatment program. Further, this treatment program is specifically designed for the injury instead of going through a generic program. Thus, a unique program is created for every patient.

Treatment generally goes through several stages:

• Reducing pain and inflammation
• Getting back movement
• Making the area more resilient to any scenario

Therapy usually involves manual techniques, stretching, and direction of exercises for the injured area.

Recovering After an Auto Accident

The recovery period varies from days to weeks, based on injury severity and treatment timing. The following chart provides a general idea of what recovery may be like at each phase.

Recovery Stage	Focus	Approximate Timeframe
The Acute Phase	Focus is on pain and inflammation control	First 1-2 weeks
Subacute Phase	The aim is to restore mobility and flexibility	The next 2-6 Weeks
The Rehabilitation Phase	The focus is on strengthening and bringing stability	The following 4-12 Weeks
Maintenance Phase	The aim is to prevent re-injury and return to normal activity	Ongoing as needed

Example

For example, an accident victim complained of stiffness and headaches after 24 hours but had no complaints at the accident scene. Immediately following the accident, he began physical therapy for accident injuries in Michigan along with manual therapy techniques to treat the injuries. His motion returned to normal within 6 weeks, and his headaches had disappeared. Early treatment, such as his, can result in a much better outcome than the treatment that is given to patients when the pain is constant.

Getting Back To Driving After An Accident

Following the incident, especially if the incident was serious, it is understandable why some drivers may feel nervous while in the vehicle. However, physical therapy can totally help in bringing the confidence back. Consistent physical therapy exercises work on flexibility, strengthening, and maintaining stability of the body.  

Often therapists use exercises that involve the exact movements associated with driving, including neck rotation, shoulder mobility, and core stability. Thus, it becomes driving again relatively safer.

The Back 2 Health Clinic is Near You!

If you’re looking for physical therapy for accident injuries in Michigan, then visit Back 2 Health. It has locations in Sterling Heights and Brownstown.

The Sterling Heights location serves nearby areas including Warren, Troy, Shelby Township, and Clinton Township. Further, the Brownstown location is convenient for residents of Woodhaven, Trenton, Riverview, Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Southgate, and Taylor.

Begin physical therapy with the most experienced therapists in Michigan at the Back 2 Health clinic!

Conclusion

Going through a car accident is more than just a matter of time; it’s a matter of care. Auto accident physical therapy works on treating the underlying issue instead of taking care of the pain and stiffness so that the body can heal the way it is supposed to. Treatment at an early stage maximizes your chances of complete and long-lasting recovery and allows you to get back to the things you lost the ability to do.