Car crash injury: It’s not as hard to treat as you think thanks to physical therapists

A car crash is already a scary thing, but then add an injury on top of it, and the whole experience can be a bit overwhelming. Where do you even begin to find treatment so you don’t become one of those people who has a bad back from a car crash 15 years ago?

We’re here to help guide you through what to expect after a car crash, where you should find treatment, and how to schedule an appointment. 

You’ve suffered an injury from a car crash — now what?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), roughly 7 million car accidents happen in the United States every year, and about 2.2 million of those accidents are rear-end collisions. The most common car crash injury associated with a rear-end collision is whiplash, which can cause serious and lasting injury if not treated properly. Other common car crash injuries include concussion, back/neck/shoulder injury and balance issues.

Remember, not all car crash injuries show symptoms right away. It’s important to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist within a few days after an auto accident to receive a full evaluation of injury. 

Types of physical therapy used to help treat a car crash injury  

There are a wide range of physical therapy treatments that be used to treat a car crash injury, but the most common include:

• Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) — IASTM promotes healing and recovery of any damaged soft tissue and ligaments.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy helps to reduce inflammation, restore range of motion and rebuild strength in the muscles that may have been damaged in the auto accident.
• Postural training — Postural training helps restore mobility and strength in the neck, back and shoulders, as well as reduce pain and help prevent future injury aggravation during daily activities. 
• Range-of-motion training — Guided exercises and stretches will help to restore flexibility and range of motion in damaged joints.

Scheduling an appointment after a car crash injury

Most states offer direct access treatment, which means you don’t have to have a referral from a doctor to see a physical therapist. If you live in one of these states, such as Michigan where our Armor Physical Therapy clinics are located, you can schedule a free screening to determine if physical therapy is necessary after your auto accident. The screening can help inform your next steps for treatment for a car crash injury. Schedule online today with our team at Armor Physical Therapy.