Do You Need Physical Therapy After Car Accidents? Key Signs

Is physical therapy after car accidents necessary? Should you wait a little longer to see if your symptoms improve? After a collision, people are understandably confused about when to call it and request a treatment referral, especially if they seem mostly fine.

Sometimes, general soreness fades after a few days, and you don’t want to fuss. Still, Metro Health Partners has seen the value of early physical therapy after a car crash in Brooklyn, NY – and the long-term consequences of delaying this treatment!

Below, we’ll explore when to begin physical therapy after your car accident and why.

What Should You Do Immediately After a Traffic Accident?

Something every car crash survivor should remember is that an accident involves more than the vehicle impact. The Montana Department of Transportation explains that three unique collisions occur within a single car wreck. Your body withstands more than a single force.

Speak with a doctor as soon as you can after the car wreck. You might feel perfectly fine immediately afterward because the adrenaline rush keeps you from feeling any pain. However, your doctor can record your symptoms as they manifest and refer you to an auto accident physical therapist before those symptoms overwhelm your body.

Seek Physical Therapy After a Car Crash From a Specialized Auto Accident Physical Therapist If You Can’t Move as Freely

What symptoms benefit from physical therapy after car accidents? General soreness and stiffness follow many intense or sudden physical activities. You might hesitate to contact your doctor about physical therapy in the days immediately after your wreck if it feels like some mild aches and pains.

However, it’s crucial to record and discuss even minor discomfort with your doctor. Typically, that run-of-the-mill soreness resolves within a couple of days, but you’ll want physical therapy if it is stretching into weeks. Early treatment can help with improved muscle movement and prevent complications later. 

Do Pain and Other Symptoms Disrupt Daily Routines?

Basic muscle discomfort isn’t the only problem. You might find yourself working around soreness or stiffness while mitigating new concerns. Poor range of motion, limited limb mobility, and even migraines or headaches interrupt simple tasks, including:

• Getting dressed
• Yard work
• Moving from a sitting to a standing position
• Exercising comfortably
• Sleeping restfully

Motor vehicle accident treatment options, like physical therapy, can help with pain relief, mobility, and comfort. It’s a great help if you’d like a chance to return to what you enjoyed before or move without thinking twice.

Schedule Physical Therapy in Brooklyn, NY, When Your Mood or Mental Health Take a Nosedive

Mobility isn’t the only health aspect that suffers after a car wreck – expect your mental health and sense of well-being to take a hit, too. A study published in 2020 revealed that car crash survivors are:

• 32.3% more likely to have PTSD symptoms
• 17.4% more likely to struggle with depression
• 5.8% more likely to exhibit low rates of anxiety

Mental health struggles might arise because of a combination of hyper-awareness and physical symptoms. By going to physical therapy after car accidents, you might lessen these struggles to regain some control of your life. 

You Need Subsequent Motor Vehicle Accident Treatment If You Experience New, Odd Sensations

Not every car wreck survivor struggles with obvious pain or mobility issues. Are you up against strange sensations that don’t seem connected to any noticeable injury?

Everything in your body connects somehow, so your symptoms might manifest as uncomfortable sensations that aren’t necessarily painful. For example:

• Numbness and tingling: You may feel these sensations in your fingers or arms. A compressed or pinched nerve often causes such distracting responses.
• Limb weakness: You can unknowingly injure your muscles or slip a disc and face weakened limbs as a result. These symptoms can affect how you move and impact your ability to exercise and safely rebuild your strength. 
• Loss of coordination or balance: Common injuries like whiplash and other back issues can affect your coordination. 
• Prolonged fatigue: Untreated injuries have a way of asserting themselves into life, whether that’s deteriorating your sleep quality or making you feel tired throughout the day. 
• Tinnitus: Whiplash or restricted blood flow because of a physical injury can impact your ears, too. You might hear new ringing noises in your head after an accident.

Why not combine other treatment recommendations with physical therapy in Brooklyn, NY? Doing so could lessen or resolve the disruptive symptoms above. 

Metro Health Partners in Brooklyn, New York, Provides Quality Physical Therapy After a Car Accident

Are you convinced people can benefit from physical therapy after car accidents? Let Metro Health Partners help, including managing your chronic conditions with consistent physical therapy. For instance, arthritis pain treatment with physical therapy can be incredibly effective for protecting your independence.

Call 718-769-2521 to book an appointment with Metro Health Partners. Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Some people struggle to know when and why to seek physical therapy. Below, we’ve responded to a few questions.

How Long Does Physical Therapy for Whiplash Last?

Physical therapy for whiplash can last up to three months, but your experience is your own. For example, one case study reported a whiplash patient’s disability score improved by nearly 14 points within the first week of treatment (with fully resolved symptoms in a month).

Are There Cases Where a Doctor Wouldn’t Recommend Physical Therapy?

Yes, there are cases where a doctor wouldn’t recommend physical therapy. Some chronic conditions or unhealed injuries might limit this therapy intervention’s reach. 

Is It Ever Too Late to Begin Physical Therapy?

No, it is never too late to begin physical therapy! While early intervention can quicken healing time and prevent future complications, you may still enjoy increased independence from treatments well after the fact.

When Should I Begin Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

Typically, experts recommend beginning physical therapy after car accidents as soon as possible. Monitor your condition and symptoms, and discuss concerns with your doctor.