Physiotherapy to Recover from a Car Accident by Amberlea Physiotherapy
Millions of car accidents and motor vehicle accidents take place every year in Canada. Millions of people are injured in those car accidents every year. At Amberlea Physiotherapy we don’t treat you as just one of the millions. We treat you as the only one.
We understand that a car accident can be traumatic: completely shocking and overwhelming. What’s more, we know that what may feel like a minor injury right after your car accident, a lucky escape, can, in fact, lead to long-term pain and serious ongoing problems. We also know that you may not even think you’re injured at all… Until the shock wears off a day or two later, at which point you may discover previously unfelt pain, which can normally be explained by soft tissue damage.
Which is why we cannot stress enough the importance of visiting a physiotherapist for an assessment right after your car accident. No matter how minor the fender bender, or how ‘invisible’ or seemingly innocuous the injury and any associated pain.
Whether you’re suffering from whiplash or bruising, a fracture or a twisted ankle, unexplained swelling or inflammation – all of which are amongst the most common symptoms we see after a motor vehicle accident – we can help you heal with physiotherapy. Conversely, if you do nothing, if you brush it off as ‘minor’ and leave even the smallest of injuries untreated, you could be opening yourself up to long-term damage and a life-time of unexplained aches and pains. Damage like reduced mobility and flexibility, deeper tissue damage, or even chronic pain. All of which can (mostly) be avoided by visiting a physiotherapist after your accident.
Think of it this way: even if your car seems unscathed, you will take it to a mechanic to assess any damage – seen or unseen. Let us do the same for you and assess your damage, and ensure that you’re optimally mobile and roadworthy for years to come!
Common Conditions Caused by Car Accidents
Some of the most common conditions we treat resulting from a car accident, many of which may not show up immediately, include (but are not limited to):
- Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries causing damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons
- Arm / Leg Pain
- Back / Neck Pain
- Bruising / Tenderness
- Muscle Weakness
- Numbness
- Sprains / Strains
Related to the above conditions, here are some of the most common symptoms you should look out for:
- Regular headaches or migraines
- Dizziness
- Prolonged fatigue
- Tingling in the upper portion of the body
- Reduced motion in the neck
- Continued pain, no matter how minor, in the shoulders, head, or neck.
Don’t see your specific pain in the listed conditions and symptoms above? Our physiotherapists are able to help you with any pain you are experiencing from your car accident. No pain is too big, too small, or too difficult for us to assess and treat.
How Physiotherapy Can Help with Your Car Accident Injury
Post car accident physiotherapy is designed to get your body back to normal, with full mobility, strength, flexibility and range of motion. This is part of a much bigger picture though: although you may not need surgery immediately after your ordeal, some car-accident related injuries can eventually lead to the need for surgery. Physiotherapy is key to helping you avoid this.
We start our work with you by establishing exactly what happened and assessing your physical condition from top to toe. We may ask detailed questions about the car accident to assess how the injury happened and where we think it may have impacted on your body (which may be in places you don’t even know about yet); how bad your ‘known’ pain is; and which movements you can and can’t do.
We will then customize a treatment plan for your unique situation and injuries. This treatment plan may include things like ice/heat application and electrical stimulation to manage pain and inflammation at the early stage of recovery. The bulk of car accident pain treatment is usually taken up by manual therapy. This may include (but not be limited to):
- Mobilizing and massaging joints in gentle, repetitive motions to offer pain relief, restore their mobility, and improve blood circulation;
- Stretching and therapeutic exercises to help prevent joint stiffness and restore tissue function;
- Strengthening exercises to prevent muscle weakness in neck, back and postural muscles;
- Designing an exercise plan which allows a return to work and physical activities in a safe, gradual and effective manner;
- Exercise, education and lifestyle plans to help prevent any condition progressing to chronic;
- Ongoing strengthening and conditioning exercise plans to be done at home, combined with massage and other treatment where necessary, for long-term return to pain-free health and activity.
The length of treatment depends on a number of factors, including the severity of your accident and injuries, how often you attend physiotherapy sessions, and how diligently you do the at-home portion of your treatment plan and rehabilitation exercises. Our goal, however, is to return you to pre-accident condition – or better!
Are you experiencing ongoing pain from a recent car accident?
Contact our health care providers to arrange a free 15-minute consultation to discuss your accident, injury and a personalized treatment plan. Our Pickering physiotherapists will work together with your family doctor, and your insurance provider, to help you return back to health. Call the Amberlea Physiotherapy office at (905) 492-5588 or contact us online.
Note: your insurance company may suggest a specific physiotherapy provider. Ontario consumers, however, have the right to choose a provider of their choice. Given the traumatic nature of car accidents, we highly recommend you continue to work with a physio you’ve worked with in the past, someone you have a good relationship with, someone who really cares about you, your health, and your overall well-being.
Book your FREE 15-minute consultation with our Pickering Physiotherapists now!
We're Here To Help You
Our Commitment
We are committed to providing the highest quality patient care. We are here to help you achieve your goals by assisting you every step of the way. Let us help you get to where you want to be!
Our Physio Team
Our knowledgeable staff can assist you every step of the way. We believe that knowledge is power to your healing and recovery, and we strive to help you understand what your condition is.
Booking Process
We provide a free 15-minute consultation to aid you in determining the best course of action. Every type of condition is importation to us! Here at Amberlea, we provide same or next day bookings.