Tips for treating an auto accident injury

An automobile accident can be a scary experience, and if you’re lucky, you’ll walk away without any life-threatening injuries. However, just because you’re not having to rush to the ER, you can still be hurt.

Car accidents are known to cause subtle injuries like whiplash, concussions and knee pain. If you have any type of pain after an automobile accident, it’s important to find a professional for treatment.

It’s also important to find ways to take care of yourself. If you visit a physical therapist for auto accident injury treatment, they will likely give you instructions for self-care. It’s always important to follow these instructions.

Instructions will vary depending on the nature of your injury and personal factors like age and medical history. But there are a few general steps most people can take to help reduce pain and promote recovery after an auto accident.

Four self-care tips for treating an auto accident injury

1. Take it easy — After an auto accident, you should get some rest. Take a little time off work or school and make taking care of your body the priority.

2. Exercise and stretch — Rest is important, but too much rest can actually slow your recovery. Some light activity, like walking or stretching, can help your muscles and ligament stay active and fit to help promote recovery. If you see a physical therapist for treatment, you will likely receive guided lessons for exercises and stretches to help you heal.

3. Give your body what it needs — A body that is trying to heal needs fuel to do this efficiently. Stay hydrated and consume foods with vitamin C and other helpful nutrients that your body needs to fight inflammation and repair itself.

4. Ask for help — Don’t be too stubborn to have a friend or family member help you out while you’re recovering. Trying to do everything on your own can make your injury worse.

Physical therapists can help you recover from an auto accident

It’s important to get checked out by a medical professional after a motor vehicle accident. Often, these events can lead to injuries that aren’t felt until hours or even days after they occur. Physical therapists can help you identify auto accident injuries you’ve suffered and find effective treatment options for them. 

Typically, a therapy specialist will build you an individualized care plan for your injury. This plan could include multiple therapy techniques such as: 

• Therapeutic exercises you perform in-clinic and at home

• Soft tissue mobilization designed to reduce tension in injured soft tissue 

• At-home care sessions that allow you to work with your physical therapist in your own home 

• Joint mobilization that can reduce pain and tension in injured joints 

• Virtual therapy sessions where you work with your physical therapist over a secure online video link 

Schedule an appointment for auto accident injury treatment at SSOR

If you’ve recently been hurt in an automobile accident, you should schedule an appointment at Specialists in Sports and Orthopedic Rehabilitation (SSOR). Our physical therapists have years of training and experience in helping patients treat their auto accident injuries. We’ll start by performing a complimentary screening to reveal the type of injury you have. Then, our physical therapists will build you a personalized therapy plan designed to reduce your symptoms and prevent them from coming back. 

Contact us today for more information about how we can help with auto accident injuries or to schedule an initial appointment.