There are few injuries that are not very obvious and remain hidden, often for a long time, after a motor vehicle accident. Injuries such as lacerations and broken bones will lead you to the emergency room; other injuries, such as neck pain or stiffness, are more common and less consistent in their outcome. These types of injuries must not be left untreated as they may lead to future complications. 

You should also remember that symptoms often take days or weeks to appear. Visiting a physical therapist immediately after a car accident often takes away your pain and worries of developing future complications. 

You should visit trusted physical therapy specialists after an accident to address immediate pain and prevent long-term suffering. 

How Does Physical Therapy Work After a Car Accident?

Physical therapy can help alleviate a variety of symptoms resulting from motor vehicle accidents. As a part of the initial evaluation, you might have to share a detailed account of the accident. Your physical therapist may ask you how you’ve felt since the accident, which might seem odd. But your treatment plan will be based on the answers you provide. Thus, be open and answer every question honestly. Every question serves a specific purpose, helping the PT understand your situation better and create a treatment plan accordingly. So, share even the smallest details. 

Next comes the hands-on assessment. This will help your physical therapist understand every small detail related to your injury, such as where the pain is and the extent of the damage. If you feel a lot of pain during this examination, your therapist will keep the evaluation process basic to avoid causing you extra pain. 

You might face a wide range of symptoms apart from musculoskeletal injuries after a car accident. These may include headaches, difficulty focusing, ear ringing, etc. So, it’s important that you ask any query that comes to your mind about your injury. Are you confused about something you are facing following your accident? Just ask the physical therapy specialists you are consulting. For example, it’s common to feel a subtle lump in the throat after an accident. You must convey the feeling to your physical therapist even if the feeling is seemingly unrelated to your accident. So, ask questions and convey the exact feelings to create a customized treatment plan. Personalization is important because every individual responds differently to both injuries and treatment. Every treatment plan, however, has some qualities in general:

• Allow the injured tissue to rest
• Stay active to prevent deconditioning
• Recover strength and mobility lost due to accident
• Return to normal activities 

What Does Physical Therapy Treatments Look Like?

Physical therapists treat musculoskeletal injuries and can form personalized treatment plans based on your injuries.

Manual therapy used by PTs involves moving and manipulating your body’s muscles, tendons, and joints. It may also involve a physical therapy massage. This practice can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling and increase mobility, thus helping you get back to normal action faster.

Your physical therapist might also prescribe strengthening exercises for the neck, back, shoulder blades, and core. However, it will depend on your particular condition and whether the therapist deems it necessary. 

Your personalized treatment plan may also include yoga or walking to address the entire body. It’s always a physical therapist’s aim to help you get back to your regular life as fast as possible; for that, they may choose to include a number of treatment options. 

How Long Does It Take to Recover?

It’s important to remember that there’s no set time for recovery after a motor vehicle accident. It depends on the severity of your injuries and how soon you begin treatment. It also depends on how dedicated you are to the program.

Overall, physical therapy can help you alleviate different symptoms arising from car accidents. Expert physical therapy specialists can help in several cases after a car accident to help alleviate pain and stiffness and restore your complete range of motion, which is so important to get back to your normal life.