Motor vehicle accidents often result in neck or back injuries that can be severe or life altering. With many neck, back, or brain injuries, physical therapy is crucial to healing.
What Injuries Need Physical Therapy?
Neck Injuries
Whiplash is the most common type of injury associated with car accidents as it can be the result of crashes that occur at speeds as low as 14mph. Whiplash can cause difficulty sleeping, headaches, and dizziness but relief can be achieved with a therapy program. Physical therapy is also helpful in the healing process for fractures, sprains, and breaks.
Back Injuries
Ranging from sprains and strains to slipped or ruptured discs and fractured vertebrae, back injuries are common in car accidents. These can result in long lasting and often debilitating pain. With proper stretching and strength training in physical therapy sessions this pain can be greatly reduced.
A doctor is also likely to recommended physical therapy after surgery, especially those that affect any joints or discs.
How Does It Work?
The goal of physical therapy is to restore your activity, strength, and mobility to get your life back to normal as quickly as possible. Specific areas are targeted for stretching and strength exercises in order to improve range of motion and reduce risk of further injury.
Along with stretching and strength training, physical therapists often utilize ice, heat application, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation to provide pain relief.
Who Pays?
If your injury was the result of someone else’s negligence this treatment can be included if you file a claim. The costs of physical therapy would be included with other medical bills in the demand for payment in a personal injury claim. Regularly attending physical therapy also establishes a pattern of care that can show what kind of long-term costs may be associated with your injury.
