How Physiotherapy Helps Car Accident Injuries

Many people involved in a car accident may experience various long-term and debilitating symptoms. In addition to emotional and mental trauma, a car crash may cause physical damage that can affect one’s quality of life. Some physical injuries may not be evident following the incident. It may take a few days before the symptoms start to show. Getting immediate treatment is crucial to prevent minor injuries from causing more complications. Most auto-related injuries can be treated effectively through physiotherapy.

Types of Car Crash Injuries

Although Canada is one of the first nations to adopt a national road safety strategy, there are about 160,000 car accidents recorded each year by the Canadian Transportation Safety Board. Additionally, the number of motor vehicle accidents increased by 3.1 to 4.7 percent in December and January during blizzards and hail storms.

The most common types of injuries that can result from a car crash accident can frequently be treated and resolved through physiotherapy treatment, getting you back in step with your daily routine pain-free.

• Whiplash – Considered as the most common car-accident injury, whiplash affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons. During a car accident, the body is moved suddenly. This causes the neck to whip back and forth rapidly, injuring the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues in the neck. Depending on its severity, whiplash can be painful and take several weeks or months to heal.

Symptoms can include neck pain, stiffness, and restricted mobility, with symptoms sometimes taking days or weeks to develop. Pain and discomfort may worsen over time with movement. An X-ray, CT scan, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may be required for proper diagnosis.

• Traumatic Brain Injury – The injuries and complications caused by traumatic brain injuries can affect the victim’s quality of life. Symptoms can be wide-ranging physical and psychological effects. Mild traumatic brain injury may temporarily affect the brain, while a serious one can cause bruising, bleeding, torn tissues, and physical damage to the brain. If left untreated, TBI may potentially result in long-term problems with brain functions.

• Herniated Disc – Some accidents may result in structural spinal problems. Although this is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause severe pain. During a crash, the spine is subjected to a series of sudden strong impacts, placing pressure on the disc. This forces the nucleus to push out through the fibrous exterior of the disc. The risk of a herniated disc increases with age-related degeneration.

While most herniated discs resolve on their own, some may require surgical intervention. While some of its symptoms may not be debilitating, others report immediate, severe pain after the accident. Shooting pain, muscle weakness, and permanent nerve damage may result if treatment is delayed.

• Knee Trauma -Blunt force to the knee can cause trauma to the kneecap and ligaments. Knee trauma can be complicated and painful. Its most common symptoms include bruising to the affected area, reduced knee strength, pain, and limited range of motion  It can also potentially lead to difficulty in walking. The healthcare provider may prescribe knee braces, crutches, or surgery to correct the damage and rebuild its natural structure.

Seeking Treatment After a Car Accident

Early intervention following an automotive accident promotes recovery from injuries. Initial treatments, including neck braces and pain relievers, are meant to relieve pain and prevent aggravating injuries and do not directly address and treat damaged soft tissues and other underlying problems.

No matter how minor the injury may seem, seek medical treatment as soon as possible. Generally, injuries can have a different impact on each body part. The type of therapy needed and period of recovery may depend on the affected body part and the severity of the injury. Through proper diagnosis and personalized treatment, you can live a pain-free life and regain mobility.

Seeking immediate medical attention is also essential in avoiding long-term health-related consequences. Getting a professional health evaluation helps identify injuries you are not aware of, which may likely get serious without treatment.

How Physiotherapy Helps You Recover from Injuries

Thanks to physiotherapy treatment, car accident patients can manage, relieve, and overcome pain and physical injuries. Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals trained to examine, diagnose, and provide the right therapy plan to promote the body’s healing processes. Studies claimed that improving your neck’s strength and mobility helps speed up the recovery process. Physiotherapy treatment may include:

• Educating patients about the correct body posture and positioning to manage pain effectively
• Various exercises which help minimize pain and restores strength and mobility
• Manual therapy to improve range of motion and reduce pain
• Different modalities (e.g. acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy) for pain relief
• Rehabilitation programs to help patients safely resume their normal activities, sports, and work

Benefits of physiotherapy for car crash patients

• Supports Fast Recovery – Stiffness, pain, impaired range of movement, and chronic headache prevent patients from returning to their normal daily routine. However, getting the right physiotherapy care aids in speeding up the patient’s recovery by improving their strength and flexibility and keep painful symptoms at bay.

• Prevents Long-Term Damage – In addition to increasing flexibility, strength, and mobility, physiotherapy also helps prevent further complications, including migraine, inability to walk, and chronic pain. If not addressed right away, the injuries can cause lingering damage. The sooner patients start their recovery program, the more likely they are to enjoy a relatively pain-free life for years to come.

• Alleviates Pain – Physical activity is essential for reducing pain and spurring recovery. Being physically active enables the body to pump nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the injured areas. Physiotherapists prescribe various individualized programs, including strengthening and stretching exercises to address pain and poor body mechanics.

• May Avoid the Possibility of Surgery – In some cases, patients may require immediate surgery to treat their injuries. However, minor problems may escalate over time, requiring surgery later in life due to the combination of the initial damage and increased wear and tear of the injured soft tissues over time. Physiotherapy can avoid the need for such surgeries by strengthening weakened muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

No matter the severity of your injury, physiotherapists can help you get on your feet and resume with your normal life. Using their expertise and knowledge, they can effectively prescribe a treatment plan that is right for your needs.

Do not delay treatment! If the pain caused by a car accident injury affects your life, call

Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Centres of Ontario at (905) 897-2092 for professional and effective physiotherapy in Mississauga.