How Physiotherapy can help in Car Accident Injuries
Car Accidents often lead to mental trauma and physical damage that can impact one’s quality of life. Following an accident, the people involved may suffer from serious long-term and debilitating symptoms. Although some physical injuries are not visible immediately after the incident, they begin to show up after a couple of days. Therefore, it is very important to seek prompt medical advice. Minor injuries, if neglected, can lead to complications at a later stage. Typically, most accident-related injuries can be treated effectively with physiotherapy. One of the most common car accident injuries is Whiplash.
Types of Car Accident Injuries
Canada is one of the first countries to have a national road safety strategy. However, the country’s Transportation Safety Board records around 160,000 car accidents every year. This number is compounded during the winter months of December and January when accidents increased from 3.1 to 4.7 percent. Fortunately, the most common types of injuries from car accidents are treated successfully with physiotherapy, and the people involved are able to go back to their routine after the treatment.
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Whiplash Injury
Whiplash is one of the most common types of car crash injuries. This condition usually occurs due to the sudden movement of the body and affects the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the person. The accident triggers the neck to whip back and forth quickly, resulting in injury to the muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues around the neck. It can be painful and can last for several weeks or months before its full recovery. Sometimes the symptoms may come up after days or weeks, causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement of the neck. In order to assess the extent of damage and for proper diagnosis, a CT scan, X-ray, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) may have to be taken. Depending on the seriousness of the condition, the pain and discomfort may increase with movement over time.
Traumatic Brain Injury
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) can have a wide range of physical and psychological effects. Injuries and complications that occur as a result of traumatic brain injuries can impact a person’s quality of life. A mild form of traumatic brain injury can affect the brain temporarily, while the severe one can lead to physical damage to the brain such as bruising, bleeding, and torn tissues. This condition needs immediate treatment failing, which it can lead to long-term issues with brain functions.
Herniated Disc
Car Accidents sometimes lead to structural spinal issues in the victim. In this condition the crash subjects the spine to a series of strong impacts, putting pressure on the disc. Consequently, the nucleus is pushed out through the fibrous exterior of the disc. This causes immense pain but is not life-threatening. Age-related degeneration increases the risk of a herniated disc. Herniated discs usually get resolved on their own. However, few may need surgery. Although the symptoms are not debilitating, the person may experience shooting pain and weakness in the muscles following the accident. If treatment is delayed, it can lead to permanent nerve damage.
Knee Trauma
Knee trauma is a painful and complicated condition. It occurs due to blunt force on the kneecap and ligaments in the knee. The most common symptoms of knee trauma are bruising around the knee, reduced knee strength, limited range of movement and pain. The affected person may find it difficult to walk and may require immediate medical assistance. Depending on the severity of the condition, the healthcare professional may recommend the use of crutches, braces, or surgery. Surgery may be advised to rebuild its natural structure or to correct the damage. Contact a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment immediately.
Are you looking for treatment after a Car Crash?
Prompt medical advice and treatment is the key to recovery in case of a car crash. The initial treatment is usually given to reduce the pain and suffering of the victim. However, it does not actually help in treating the damaged soft tissues or the actual problem. Hence urgent medical attention is of prime importance. Injuries caused due to a car crash can have a different impact on each body part. Therefore, the prescribed therapy and the time taken for recovery varies depending on the severity of the injury and the affected part of the body. Immediate medical attention and a thorough diagnosis are absolutely critical to ensure that you regain mobility and live a pain-free life. A thorough assessment by a health professional will provide you all the information about injuries that you may not even be aware of. This followed by a personalized treatment by a physiotherapist can help you avoid long-term health-related consequences and lead to a speedy recovery.
How Physiotherapy can help you recover from Car Crash Injuries
Today physiotherapy treatment can help in managing, relieving and overcoming pain and physical injuries due to a car crash. These healthcare professionals are actually trained to assess, diagnose and provide the most appropriate therapy plan for recuperating. Research has shown that the right kind of physiotherapy treatment will promote the body’s healing processes. For example, improving the mobility and strength of the neck can speed up the recovery process. So what does physiotherapy recommend? Physiotherapy includes various aspects such as educating patients, recommending exercises and a variety of therapies. Correct body posture and positioning can help in minimizing pain and restoring the strength and mobility. Exercises and manual therapy can improve range of motion and reduce pain. Therapies like acupuncture, chiropractic, manual therapy and massage therapy can provide relief from pain. Rehabilitation programs which include all the above enable patients to recover over time and get back to their normal routine, work or sports.
Benefits of Physiotherapy for Car Accident Patients
Physiotherapy supports speedy recovery for car accident patients. It helps patients overcome the pain, stiffness and impaired movement associated with accidents and enables them to resume their normal routine. Physiotherapy also acts as a preventive measure. By increasing flexibility, strength and mobility of the patient, it prevents further damage and complications. The sooner the treatment begins, the better for the patients as they will be able to enjoy a relatively pain-free life afterwards. Physiotherapy can prevent long-term damage like migraine, severe pain and inability to walk. However, it is important to get the right type of treatment immediately or at the earliest. Delay in getting treatment can lead to long-term damage.
Reduces Pain
Physiotherapy is very helpful in reducing pain. The body requires physical activity for reducing pain and speeding up recovery. That is why physiotherapists often prescribe personalized programs that include exercises to promote stretching and strengthening of the affected area in the body. Physical activity helps the body to supply nutrient and oxygen-rich blood to the injured parts of the body.
May Help Avoid Surgery
Some car accident patients may need to undergo surgery immediately after the crash. Sometimes the initial injury can worsen over time with increased wear and tear of the soft tissues. As a result the minor injury may get aggravated and need surgery later on. In such cases, physiotherapy is highly beneficial as it can help avoid surgery by strengthening the weakened muscles, tendons and ligaments. Further, rehabilitation is critical for patients of car accidents.
Physiotherapists as health professionals can put you back on your feet and assist you in getting on with your normal routine, no matter how serious your injury may be. They have the required knowledge, training and expertise and can provide you a customized treatment plan that matches your specific requirements.
