After being in a car accident, you may be scared to move or not be sure what is safe as far as activity or how much pain or soreness is normal. In many cases, we want to keep moving. We do not want the body to stiffen or tighten up further or develop “bad habits” and compensations that will extend the duration of your symptoms or cause long-term changes and/or chronic pain.

Things you should know:

If you were in a car accident, sometimes it can feel overwhelming with all the
paperwork, phone calls, adjusters, therapists, doctor visits, etc. There are 2 key things to know about seeking physio treatment after a car accident:

Why you should choose your physio provider

Your car insurance company is going to suggest that you book an appointment at one of their physiotherapy clinics. They have a preferred provider network, or a group of clinics that they like to send their patients to. The reason here is NOT that they are better providers, but simply because they have a business relationship with them.

This may not be in your best interest.

You have choice. You are not required to see who they try suggesting or try to book you with. You are 100% able to pick who you want to see, without any penalties.

I highly recommend Tina and her team at Advanced Health Physiotherapy and Hand Clinic. After a severe car accident that left both our vehicles totaled and my wife and I with significant injuries, we turned to them for help. From the start, Tina demonstrated a deep understanding of human anatomy and biomechanics, employing a variety of effective treatment techniques. She took the time to listen to our concerns, clearly explaining our treatment plans and providing comprehensive instructions that made us feel supported throughout our recovery. The entire team is incredibly empathetic, fostering a positive therapeutic relationship that kept us motivated to stick to our treatment plans. Over several months of therapy, we were impressed by their expertise in the latest technology and their flexibility in adapting our treatment to ensure the best results. No matter the pain or issue you may be facing, I wholeheartedly believe that a visit to Advanced Health Physiotherapy and Hand Clinic is well worth it. They truly care about their patients and are committed to helping you heal.

D Chaitanya on Google Reviews

How physiotherapy helps after a car accident

Our physiotherapists can help ease the stress by answering these questions to let you know what is normal, and what to roughly expect during the course of your recovery.

Your physiotherapist will then assess your injuries and write an initial report that they will send directly to your car insurance company. This form is also known as an AB-2 form.

In some cases, physiotherapy can even help avoid surgery. The proper exercises and treatment can be an effective non-invasive or “conservative management” way to recover from many injuries. 

Common injuries from car accidents:

Whiplash (WAD I, II)

This is a common neck injury from sudden or forceful back-and-forth movement of the neck. This may injure your muscles, ligaments, nerves, arteries and other structures in your neck and back, causing stiffness, pain, and headaches.

Whiplash can be mild, moderate, or severe, with more severe cases having symptoms like weakness, tingling, or even vision or balance problems that require urgent care.

Mild and moderately severe cases of whiplash can benefit from early physiotherapy assessment and treatment.

Joint or ligament injuries

Sprains (ligaments) can occur anywhere in the body, but commonly after a car accident in the shoulders, wrists, knees, or ankles from the force of the impact or bracing.

Soft Tissue Damage / Strains (muscle tears), bruises, sprains (ligament tears), and can also occur anywhere in the body, but commonly after a car accident in the neck and back, shoulders, wrists, thumbs, from the force of the impact or bracing. Our certified hand therapists have advanced skills in upper quarter (shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand) rehabilitation.

Headaches

Tension-related from the muscles of the neck, shoulders, jaw, and upper back, or from spinal misalignment of the bones and joints of the neck and spine, can all cause headaches after a car accident.

Jaw pain or TMJ dysfunction

Pain or stiffness in the jaw, inability to open and close, pain or clicking with chewing can be caused by muscles or ligament or even disc damage in the neck and jaw.

Back Injuries

Muscle strains, herniated discs, or spinal trauma, such as tears and
breaks, can occur from the force of impact at the time of your accident.

Other injuries

Car accidents can also cause nerve injury, joint dislocations, fractures. These may require a period of immobilization. 

Why you should see a physio after a car accident

Physiotherapy can help in many ways to help you recover, including:

Pain reduction

To reduce your pain, we use techniques like soft tissue massage, joint mobilization, modalities like heat packs, and specific exercises to increase blood flow and reduce inflammation and reduce swelling.

Restore mobility & flexibility

Gentle stretching and mobilization of improve range of motion in stiff joints and muscles.

Strengthen & stabilize

Targeted exercises build supporting muscles to protect against future injury and improve stability. This is especially important with spinal injuries or cases where you were immobilized, such as after a broken bone or torn ligament.

Correct posture & alignment

Addresses postural imbalances that develop after impact.

Prevent chronic issues

Early intervention can stop minor aches from becoming long-term pain, stiffness, or aggravating conditions like underlying degenerative disease, arthritis, or tendionsis