Car accidents happen, and they happen a lot. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately six million car accidents occur in the United States every year! Even minor fender benders can result in injuries that lead to significant pain and suffering if left untreated. That’s where physical therapy comes into play. We explain the many benefits of PT and why it is a must after a car accident.

Whiplash & Car Accident-Related Symptoms 

One of the most common injuries caused by a car accident is whiplash - when the neck extends beyond its normal range of motion. If left untreated, long-term damage could result such as chronic pain, reduced mobility, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Head, neck, and shoulder pain
• Reduced range of motion in the neck
• Chronic migraines or headaches
• Tingling or numbness in the upper extremities
• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Memory loss

IMPORTANT: Whiplash and other car accident-related symptoms do not always surface right away! You may walk away from the accident and feel fine, only to start feeling pain days or weeks following the accident. A physical therapist can diagnose whiplash even if symptoms are not present. Our team at Burghealth can diagnose whiplash even if symptoms are not present.

Benefits of Physical Therapy 

At Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness, we offer a wide range of physical therapy services in our state-of-the-art facility. We understand that each circumstance is unique, and therefore, our team of experienced physical therapists will create a customized treatment plan based on your specific needs and care requirements. Benefits of our physical therapy services include…

A Faster Recovery Process

In physical therapy, every exercise and stretch has a specific purpose to improve mobility and regain function. This comprehensive approach accelerates the recovery process as you increase strength, improve flexibility, and reduce pain and discomfort.

Prevention of Long-Term Damage

PT provides immediate relief to injuries that occur after a car accident, but it also prevents long-term damage such as chronic pain, migraines, and degenerative disc disease. By seeking medical attention right away, your chances of reaching a full recovery improve drastically. 

More Physical Activity, Less Pain

While moving around may not sound too appealing after you’ve been in an accident, it’s one of the best things you can do to reduce pain. This is because physical activity pumps oxygenated blood and other nutrients to the injury site, thus promoting the healing process.  

An Alternative to Surgery

If left untreated, car accident-related injuries can lead to complications down the road – many of which require surgery. Physical therapy immediately treats injured muscles, tendons, and ligaments, thus avoiding painful and costly surgery.

Restored Function from a Previous Car Accident

Physical therapy can still be beneficial for injuries that were sustained but not immediately treated. Using various strength training exercises and rehabilitation techniques, you can improve mobility, regain function, and reduce pain with the intent of reaching as close to a full recovery as possible.

Physical Therapy at Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness

If you’ve been in a car accident, do not wait. Contact Burghealth Chiropractic & Wellness immediately to schedule a consultation. We are experts at diagnosing and treating car accident-related injuries and offer a full spectrum of physical therapy services at our St. Petersburg, FL chiropractic care facility. Call us today at (727) 289-9148 to learn more.