Car accident injuries are excruciating and unpleasant. Though the injuries will differ depending on the vehicle and the type of collision, it is essential to start car accident physical therapy as soon as you can. Physical therapy can help with pain management and boosting recovery.
Additionally, physical therapy after a car accident helps prevent secondary injuries. You regain your movement with time and also learn the best ways to manage the condition. In this article, we will look at various exercises that you need after a car accident. Let’s get started.
Common Types of Car Accident Injuries
Some of the injuries that you can incur after a car accident include:
- Headaches
- Back pain
- Whiplash
- Neck pain
- Knee pain
- Shoulder pain
Globally around 50 million people get injured or disabled from car accidents annually. Numerous car accidents happen daily. A car accident is not only painful or stressful; it is also expensive. Furthermore, you may not experience some symptoms immediately after the accident. Some signs and symptoms affecting mobility can appear days after the accident.
For this reason, it is crucial to seek physical therapy after an auto accident. PT prevents symptoms from worsening and causing more problems. Out of the listed injuries, whiplash is the most common. The severity of the condition can affect recovery time and also have a significant impact on your life. Some of the common symptoms you experience from whiplash include:
- Numbness in the arm, neck, and upper back
- Difficulty concentrating
- Stiff neck, upper back, arms, and face
- Dizziness, headache, and nausea
- Feeling weak
- Altered sleeping habits and patterns
Physical therapy after a car accident for neck pain is crucial to help prevent mobility issues in the long run.
Physical Therapy Exercises After a Car Accident
We can choose different physical therapy alternatives to help you recover from a car accident. OneRehab has specialists in cupping therapy, neurological, geriatric, rehabilitative, among others. Below are some of the physical therapy exercises you can do at home.
Chin Tucks
The goal of the exercises is to stretch the cervical spine muscles. You can do this exercise when lying down or seated. To do the exercise when lying down, lie on your back, looking at the ceiling. Then move the chin towards the chest and hold that position for 5 seconds. Ensure you feel a comfortable stretch at the base of the head to the next. Repeat the exercise 20 times.
When seated, sit upright, and look forward. Move your head backward, ensuring your chin is tucked down. Hold that position for 5 seconds and repeat the exercise 10 times.
Side to Side Head Rotation
The goal of the exercise is to reduce tightness and improve neck mobility. You can do the exercise when seated or lying down. Lie on your back and rotate the chin toward the right shoulder. Using your hand, pull the head further into the stretch. Stay in that position for 20 seconds. Release and repeat the exercise on the left side. Do this 3 to 5 times a day.
To do the exercise when seated, assume the correct sitting posture. Rotate the chin to the right shoulder. As the first step, use your hand to move the head deeper into the stretch. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat the exercise on the left side.
Side Bending
The PT can introduce this exercise during physical therapy after a car accident for neck pain. The goal is to reduce tightness and increase neck mobility. You can choose to lie down or sit.
When lying on your back, move your head to the right and bring the right ear close to the right shoulder. Use your hands to help you move deep into the stretch. Stay in this position for 20 seconds and switch to the left side. You can repeat the exercise several times a day.
When seated upright, bring the right ear toward the right shoulder. You can use your hands to help you pulled your head deep into the stretch. Hold the position for 20 seconds, then release and repeat on the left side. Repeat these exercises about five times on each side.
Other Exercises
Other exercises that you can do include:
- Hamstring stretches
- Lower trunk rotations
- Posterior pelvic tilts
- Deep neck flexor activation and many others
You need to choose the best physical therapists to take you through personalized treatment. At OneRehab multispecialty clinic, we assess the injuries and map out the best treatment to improve mobility and prevent further complications.
Why You Need Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
People often wonder about the benefits of physical therapy after the accident. Physical therapy is a rehabilitative procedure that you should not skip when recovering from a car accident. Below are some of the reasons you will benefit from it.
Improved Recovery
When you get physical therapy after an auto accident, you speed up your recovery time. PT helps the body recover lost strength. Many patients face the gravity of the car accident when they try to return to their daily activities. Pain, stiffness, chronic migraines or headaches, and reduced range of motion hamper this attempt. When you attend physical therapy, you manage these symptoms, which helps with faster recovery.
Better Recovery and Preventing Long-term Damage
When you start physical therapy, we conduct a thorough physical examination to find any underlying problems. Once this happens, the PT creates an individualized treatment plan which leads to a better outcome. As a result, you prevent long-term conditions such as chronic pain and migraine. Physical therapy will help improve strength, flexibility, and mobility effectively.
Improves Quality of Life
A car accident that affects mobility can impact a patient’s quality of life and even mental health. Physical therapy for accident victims helps relieve these issues by introducing patient education to help them relearn other activities and improve independence. Patients also learn how to use assistive devices during therapy.
Avoid Surgery
Every so often, accidents can necessitate surgeries to correct problems. Additionally, if left untreated, many injuries can lead to more surgeries, increasing hospital bills. After an accident, it is essential to check with a therapist to determine the best treatment options. Timely physical therapy prevents unnecessary surgeries in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I do physical therapy after a car accident?
There are various factors that determine the length of the treatment, such as the extent of the injury. Soft injuries can take about 8 weeks to heal. Your physical therapists will monitor your progress to determine when you can stop therapy.
Is physical therapy good after a car accident?
PT is good after an accident. It can help you recover faster, strengthen your muscles, and improve mobility. Physical therapy also helps improve your range of motion which speeds up recovery.
How do you exercise after a car accident?
If you want to exercise after a car accident, you first need to consult a skilled physical therapist. We evaluate your injuries and come up with the best exercise program to prevent re-injury. Some of the exercises included in the program will consist of seated neck releases, bird dog, tabletop leg presses, dead bug, glute bridge, seated clasping neck stretches, and many more.
