Spinal injuries can be difficult to recover from. Beginning physical therapy after a car accident in New York could facilitate your recovery and help you regain spinal strength and mobility. Below, our experts at Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care reveal the positive impacts of this treatment and what you can expect.

How Car Accidents Often Lead to Spinal Injuries

You do not have to be in a serious crash to hurt your spine. In a study of 105 low-speed rear-end collisions in the United States, where the struck cars changed speed by an average of about 4 miles per hour, 113 occupants were diagnosed with crash-related injuries within five weeks, most often in the neck and lower back. The authors note that their cohort may have been shaped by litigation.

Car accidents are also the leading cause of spinal cord injuries in children. A study from Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of NewYork-Presbyterian and Columbia University Medical Center, published in 2007, found that about 70% of the roughly 1,500 spinal cord injuries children sustain each year come from motor vehicle accidents.

The data is just as staggering for adults across the country. A report published in Accident Analysis & Prevention found that U.S. hospitals see about 869,000 cases of accident-related cervical spine injuries each year. But why do these injuries occur, and how can physical therapy after a car accident help?

The intense impact of a vehicle colliding with another car or object can strain the neck, leading to whiplash symptoms. The head and neck quickly jerk forward, then back. This sudden movement strains the soft tissue in the cervical spine, producing pain and stiffness.

Other traumatic injuries include:

  • Spinal fractures
  • Herniated discs
  • Paralysis due to spinal cord damage

Whether you feel slightly stiff after a fender bender or sustain serious injuries in a collision, physical therapy is one of the best paths to recovery.

Exploring the Impact of Physical Therapy After a Car Accident

Just how effective is physical therapy for injury recovery? An Orthopedic Reviews study offers some interesting insights.

Researchers surveyed 200 people who had treated a sports injury with pain medication, physical therapy, or both. Of those who did physical therapy, 73% agreed it had resolved the injury in the long term, and among the people who had tried both, 68.2% thought physical therapy was the more effective of the two.

If you’ve been hurt in a car accident, physical therapy can offer the following benefits:

  • Natural pain relief: Care teams guide patients through gentle stretches and exercises to ease sore muscles. They may also recommend heat therapy for further relaxation.
  • Greater mobility: It’s difficult to move a stiff spine. Consult New York physical therapy providers to learn exercises that gradually increase your range of motion.
  • Stronger muscles: Injuries can significantly weaken various muscle groups. Physical therapists help you rebuild muscle strength and stability.
  • Injury prevention: Compromised muscles and joints could be at risk of future injuries. By strengthening these areas, you’ll prevent further harm to your musculoskeletal system.

These direct benefits of physical therapy enable you to return to your daily routine pain-free. The recovery process and timeline differ for everyone, but patients who stick with their treatment plan can expect these results.

What To Expect When You Begin Post-Car Accident Treatment

Starting physical therapy after a car accident can seem overwhelming, especially if you don’t know what to expect. Here is what most patients should prepare for:

  • Initial examination: Professionals assess your overall strength and flexibility during a brief exam, which helps them develop a personalized treatment plan.
  • Range of motion exercises: You’ll focus on stretches and movements that gradually increase your range of motion.
  • Mobility and strength restoration: Body strengthening exercises are a core part of any injury rehabilitation program. When injuries leave you weak, physical therapists focus on building strong muscles and joints.
  • Ongoing treatment, as needed: Some people require months of physical therapy after a car accident, while others recover much faster. Your care team will monitor your progress and adjust your treatment plan accordingly.

Completing physical therapy after a car accident isn’t just about going to sessions a few times a week. Practitioners usually give patients exercises to do at home for optimal progress.

If you decide to look up at-home stretches, make sure your provider signs off on them before you try any. Depending on your health status, attempting certain exercises before your body is ready could create further problems. Follow your care team’s advice if you want to recover as quickly as possible.

Visit New York’s Physical Therapy Specialists for Top-Notch Care

Completing physical therapy after a car accident can have a tremendous impact on your overall health and well-being. However, choosing the right physical therapist after a car accident plays a key role in your recovery.

Visit Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care for personalized treatment. Our healthcare team is committed to helping patients recover from injuries sustained in car crashes, workplace accidents, and more. Begin working with us and get ready to feel stronger after every session.

Submit our online contact form to request an appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you still eager to learn more about physical therapy as a car accident injury treatment? Get answers to common questions below.

What Kinds of Pain Management Techniques Do Physical Therapists Use?

Physical therapists may use gentle massage to relieve pain from soft tissue injuries, guide patients through effective strengthening exercises, or even recommend heat and ice therapy for pain relief.

When Should I Seek Physical Therapy for Car Accident Injuries?

Physicians may recommend starting physical therapy shortly after a minor car crash. For those with serious injuries, surgery or other urgent treatments may take priority, with physical therapy to follow.

How Long Will I Need Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

It depends on your injuries and individual treatment plan. Some patients only require six weeks of physical therapy, while others need to continue their treatment for months.