Four Signs It’s Time to See a Physical Therapist After a Car Accident

September 8, 2017 2:43 am Published by Leave your thoughts

No one ever wants to be involved in a car accident. A collision can not only ruin your day, but also cause real damage to your body. Both minor and serious crashes can result in some serious physical injuries. Not all injuries stemming from a car crash will require emergency medical care, but many can result in physical pain and other medical issues that linger for years to come, including lower back pain or neck injuries. Oftentimes, you might not even experience the pain immediately.

Physical therapy can be beneficial to many people following a car accident. In fact, many doctors will even recommend it as part of the follow-up care after a crash. The treatments can help alleviate the pain and reduce dependency on medication. Here are four signs you should see a physical therapist following a car crash:

  • Lingering pain: Aches and pains that just don’t seem to go away are never a good sign. As soon as you notice the pain, it is best to spend some time just focusing on recovering to allow the area to heal. Applying ice to the injury can help with the swelling. If the pain persists past a few days, it is time to visit a physical therapy clinic in Napa County, CA. Whether the pain has been caused by a recent accident or one that happened years ago, a physical therapist can develop a treatment plan to alleviate the pain.
  • Medications aren’t helping: Pain relief and anti-inflammatory medications are both great ways to relieve the pain while your body undergoes the healing process. But if the drugs aren’t offering the relief you need, then it’s time to seek the help of a physical therapist. Additionally, turning to physical therapy instead of attempting to increase the dosage to deal with the discomfort will help you avoid developing dangerous dependency on pain medication.
  • Sharp pain: Sharp, centralized pain could be an indicator of a more serious injury. You could have pulled a muscle or sustained a stress fracture in the crash without even realizing how severely you were injured. If the pain still feels just as severe a few days after the accident, you should seek the help of a physical therapist to prevent it from becoming worse.
  • Lack of strength: It is common that you will feel the effects of a car crash long after you have left the hospital. It can take an extended period of recovery time to regain your strength after sustaining a torn muscle or a broken bone. A physical therapist can help you build up your strength and recover safely. Working with a physical therapist could even help expedite your recovery time so you can return to your normal life.

Recovering from a car accident doesn’t have to be a pain with the help of the experienced physical therapists at Focus Forward Wellness & Physical Therapy. Our physical therapy clinic in Napa County, CA is dedicated to helping you get back on your feet without pain as quickly as possible following a car accident. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

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