Whether you’ve suffered a minor injury from an auto accident, like a sprain, or more severe damage like a torn ligaments or a fracture, trauma from a motor vehicle accident can have a significant impact on your life. Seeing a physical therapist can help you manage your pain and get back to living your life. Here’s why you should visit a physical therapy clinic after a car accident injury.
It Can Help You on the Path to Recovery
Recovering from a car accident can be a long and challenging process. In fact, some patients don’t even realize that they’ve been seriously injured until much later on due to shock. Physical therapy for car accident victims can help you find relief from some of the most common injuries that result from auto accidents, such as:
- Neck injuries
- Whiplash
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Broken bones
It’s imperative that you find a trusted physical therapist after a car accident, even if you don’t think that you’ve been seriously injured. In addition to helping reduce symptoms, physical therapy can also improve your flexibility and strength.
It Can Prevent Lasting Damage
Although you may not feel too much pain after a motor vehicle accident, it may worsen without treatment. In fact, many people experience delayed pain after their accidents. Some of the potential types of long-term damage include:
- Chronic pain
- Herniated disks
- Reduced movement
- Memory issues
- Paralysis
- Cognitive problems
In addition to these effects, one study found that people who didn’t seek physical therapy right after a car accident were more likely to suffer from degenerative disc disease. This is a condition that can cause weakness, numbness, and pain in the leg.
It Can Prevent You From Having Surgery
While surgery is sometimes unavoidable, there are plenty of instances where it isn’t necessary, especially if your injuries are properly treated. Physical therapy care after a car accident can help accelerate the healing process by strengthening muscles, ligaments, and tendons and improving the quality of life. Although physical therapy rehabilitation is a longer process than surgery, it is also a less aggressive treatment that comes with fewer health risks. The length of time you see physical therapists can vary, but you can expect it to take up to eight weeks or more. Some factors that can affect this time frame include how long it takes for your pain to improve and continue performing the prescribed exercise programs at home.
It Can Help Reduce Pain
One of the most obvious benefits of physical therapy for auto accident victims is that it can help reduce pain and improve overall musculoskeletal health. It may sound counterintuitive, but remaining active after your accident can relieve pain by preventing muscle and joint stiffness. As an additional benefit, moving your body sends essential nutrients and oxygen to the site of an injury, speeding up the healing and recovery process. This is why physical therapy is a more effective option than bed rest.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment with knowledgeable and dedicated physical therapists in Bayside, Queens, NY, our team at Bayside Physical Therapy in Queens, NY, is here to help you. Our highly specialized treatment program targets all types of pain, from acute to neuropathic. Call (718) 229-4878 today to learn more and get on the road to recovery and better health.