The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that over 6 million car accidents occur yearly in the United States1. Over 2.5 million of those accidents are rear-ended collisions which often result in a whiplash injury—leaving many to experience chronic neck pain. Car accidents can result in many injuries, but it is vital to be evaluated by a physical therapist for the best recovery. Physical therapists are movement and recovery experts that develop individualized treatment plans for each patient after a car accident.
5 Benefits of physical therapy :
- Reduce pain: Physical therapists prescribe exercise, stretching, and manual therapies to avoid unnecessary use of pain medications and allow the body to heal faster
- Prevent long-term damage: Physical therapy can help reduce the risk of secondary injuries such as falls, tears, and strains by evaluating and addressing them to avoid further injury and accident.
- Increase Mobility: When injured, it is easy to want to avoid movement, but one must be gently encouraged to work through that resistance to regain tissue and joint mobility. Gentle movement can also reduce pain and increase blood perfusion, bringing nutrients to the tissues to help heal them.
- Assist in avoiding surgery: With cases not needing immediate surgery following their accident, physical therapy can help those patients heal neck and back injuries, radicular symptoms, ligamentous and soft tissue injuries.
- Aids in the recovery process: Physical therapy can help the recovery process following common automobile injuries such as pain, stiffness, loss of range of motion, and chronic headaches by improving strength and flexibility while keeping pain at bay.
If you sustain any musculoskeletal-related injuries from an auto accident such as back or neck pain, arm or leg pain, pinched nerves, muscle pain, or fractures, seek out an immediate appointment with an Ace Rehab physical therapist for an evaluation of your symptoms. At ACE Rehab, we will oversee your personalized treatment plan, and you will be placed with a highly trained physical therapist to provide you with excellent care during hours that fit your schedule. For an appointment or more information, please call(703) 204-0533 or visit www.acerehab.com.