Car Accident Rehab

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, car accidents injure over 2.3 million people the United States each year. Congested roads, long commutes, and holiday travel increase the chances of being in an accident.

You can take all the proper precautions and still find yourself injured because of the negligence of another driver. From serious crashes involving months of recovery time to fender benders causing injuries that may be more difficult to identify early on, Physical Therapy Now is here to create a recovery plan designed specifically for you. The sooner you begin car accident rehab, the better your body will likely be able to recover.

Common Car Accident Injuries

Any number of injuries can result from car accidents. Some require simple exercises and pain management techniques to recover while others will take time and patience to allow the bones and muscles heal and regain strength.

Soft Tissue Injuries (whiplash)
Open Wounds (cuts and scrapes)
Fractures (ribs, legs, arms)
Head Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries

No matter the injury, it is crucial that you seek medical attention before the healing process begins. Once you have received proper medical treatment, you can begin moving forward with physical therapy once your medical doctor gives you the green light.

Physical Therapy Methods

Physical therapy is more than just exercising an injured or underused muscle. There are many treatments that can help heal your injuries and manage your pain over time.

Massage and Stretching – Before you begin exercising, it’s important to warm up your muscles. Massage and stretching can relieve your pain and loosen tight muscles so you are ready for exercise. Sometimes this is the only method used while your muscles and bones heal from a car accident.

Ice and Heat – Applying ice and heat to sore injured muscles can reduce swelling and prepare them for massage and exercise. Ice is great for reducing swelling while heat is used to relieve pain from tight and spasming muscles.

Exercise Therapy – When most people think of physical therapy, this is where their minds go. Consistent, targeted exercise not only accelerates the healing process, but it keeps the muscles healthy and strong to prevent reinjury.

Ultrasound Therapy – Ultrasound therapy uses a wand to target injured areas and help repair torn tissue. It is a non-invasive procedure that stimulates the area and helps to accelerate the healing process in conjunction with other therapies.

Laser Therapy – Laser therapy is similar to ultrasound therapy. It is non-invasive and uses light to penetrate the muscle and repair the tissue. The goal is to reduce inflammation and pain and strengthen the muscles.

Traction Therapy – Traction is used to repair spinal cord injuries, specifically herniated discs. It gently separates the vertebrae to relieve pressure and allow the discs to move back into the proper place. It is an excellent treatment for patients who may be facing the possibility of surgery.

Electric Stimulation Therapy – This therapy is used for patients who struggle use movement to strengthen their muscles. It stimulates the muscle and aims to restore proper function to exercise physical therapy can be used to facilitate a full recovery.