7 Types of Therapy You NEED After A Car Accident
Being involved in a car accident is something that no one expects, and is something that’s unfortunately out of anyone’s control.
A motor vehicle accident can result in temporary or long-lasting physical, mental, and emotional damage.
Not only can it cause you stress, but depending on how severe it is, it could also take away your independence to do the things you regularly do.
A car accident can cause you to miss work or school, cause you pain or discomfort, and ultimately lead you to stress, frustration, and a decline in your overall quality of life.
Even though there are all of these factors that seem beyond your control, something that you CAN control is how you recover from it.
Know that you DON’T have to do it alone.
With the help of your caring healthcare team, you can heal from your injuries and get back to your regular activities as soon as possible.
Keep reading to see the top treatments that you should do in order to optimize your recovery after a car accident.
1. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is one of the top treatments people turn to after suffering from a car accident…and for a good reason too! The goal of physiotherapy is to reduce your pain, prevent any long-term complications of your car accident, and get you back to your normal routine.
Some treatments that your physiotherapist will use to accomplish these goals include massage therapy, myofascial release, electrical stimulation, joint mobilization, exercise programs, shockwave therapy, cryotherapy, heat therapy, kinesiology taping, and bracing.
2. Massage Therapy
Soreness and stiffness are two of the most common symptoms people feel after a car accident. Massage therapy can help loosen up any tight areas and help make your recovery easier. It’ll provide you with the tension and pain relief you need to focus on your recovery. Massage therapy also has other great benefits such as improving your blood flow, reducing inflammation in your body, increasing the flexibility of your joints, and contributing to an improved mood.
3. Concussion and Vestibular Therapy
Motor vehicle accidents are one of the leading causes of developing a concussion or other mild traumatic brain injury. This injury happens when there’s trauma to your brain that changes the way it works. Concussion and Vestibular Therapy aims to treat people who suffer from common symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion. These symptoms can include headaches, confusion, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, changes in vision, light sensitivity, impaired balance, or difficulties with concentration.
Concussion and vestibular therapy involves techniques such as manual therapy, exercise therapy, vestibular and visual rehabilitation, and education to guide you to a gradual return to your normal life.
4. Chiropractic Care and Active Release Therapy
Chiropractic care is a branch of healthcare that can treat pain or stiffness anywhere in your body such as your neck and back. Chiropractors do this by using a variety of different techniques like spinal adjustments or manual manipulations, joint adjustments, soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, and laser therapy. They might also use a technique called Active Release Therapy (ART) that works to break down scar tissue to correct any restrictions in your body in order to promote pain-free movement after your car accident.
5. Occupational Therapy
If you’re dealing with any barriers to returning to your regular life, then speaking to an occupational therapist could be the solution you’re looking for. Occupational therapy helps with physical, emotional, and environmental barriers to returning to school, work, or other activities of daily living.
An occupational therapist can make recommendations about necessary equipment or assistive devices to make your everyday tasks easier, monitor your brain function over time, and guide you through a steady return to your regular life after a life-altering event like a car accident.
6. Exercise Therapy
Exercise might be the last thing on your mind after being involved in a car accident. But did you know that exercise therapy can reduce pain, get you stronger, AND help speed up recovery after a motor vehicle accident? A physiotherapist or other skilled healthcare practitioner can create a personalized exercise program that’ll help get you MOVING and FEELING BETTER again.
There will be different categories of exercises in your program that are tailored to work on different areas of your body, such as balance and coordination exercises, range of motion exercises, injury-specific exercises, relaxation exercises, strengthening and endurance exercises, and postural exercises.
7. Acupuncture
A SAFE, WELL-RESEARCHED, and EFFECTIVE treatment reduce your pain, decrease your muscle tension or inflammation, and improve how your body moves is acupuncture. Acupuncture works by stimulating blood flow and healing to the injured area of your body, and can also help to release natural pain-relieving chemicals in your body to block pain signals after injuries from a car accident.
I’m Ready to Start My Healing Journey!
The sooner you begin your recovery, the faster you can heal your pain AND the more likely you are to make a full recovery from your car accident WITHOUT any lingering side effects.
BOOK NOW to become one of the thousands of people who’ve made a complete recovery with us at PhysioPlus Health Group.
Still on the fence about booking an appointment? See below for a REAL review from a patient who has worked closely with our team to make a great recovery with our amazing team.
Lauren was a real standout!
“After a serious accident left me with several broken bones, I started physio with Lauren and PhysioPlus on Bloor West. Everyone was tremendous. Lauren was a real standout. She was friendly, caring, instructive and good a deep interest in my recovery and well being. Should I ever have need of physio again, I know exactly where to go. Thank you Lauren and PhysioPlus! -Paul M.
You can achieve the results you want, like Paul M., by allowing our knowledgeable, kind, and professional team to join you in recovering from your car accident and getting you back to the life you had before.
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This blog was written by Anna Zheng, a Physiotherapy student at the University of Toronto.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you start physiotherapy after a car accident?
You should start physiotherapy as soon as possible after a car accident in order to start your healing right away and decrease your chances of any negative long-term effects. The first few days to weeks after a car accident are the most important to start physiotherapy so that you can reduce your pain and eliminate stiffness in your body. The longer you wait to see a physiotherapist, the more difficult it will be for your car accident injuries to be fully healed.
What are some common injuries after a car accident?
Common injuries that people have after a car accident include whiplash, neck or back pain, shoulder pain, bruises, strains and sprains, broken bones, and concussions. More serious accidents may result in severe injuries such as spinal cord injuries and paralysis, internal organ bleeding, and limb loss or amputation. Your medical team will work with you to rehabilitate and minimize the effects of your injuries.