Auto accidents are common and can cause many types of
injuries. Even in a smaller accident, these injuries can vary from minor to
severe. In fact, in many cases, initial treatment after the accident isn't
enough to provide proper healing, and many people need rehabilitation therapies
after an accident. If you would like to know more, keep reading.
1. Chiropractic Therapies
Chiropractic care consists of two groups: manipulations and
modalities. Manipulation refers to the process of popping joints. This releases
some pent-up gasses and helps to reduce pain and regain mobility. Of course,
your joints can only move freely if your muscles are relaxed. Modalities are
procedures that help make it easier to adjust your joints.
Common modalities include heat, soft tissue mobilization,
ultrasound, spinal traction, and transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation. In
addition, the chiropractor may suggest lifestyle changes and home exercises
that can help boost your overall chiropractic experience.
2. Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is another great therapy to consider after
an auto accident. First, massage can be a great way to loosen muscles before a
chiropractic manipulation or other types of therapies. In some cases, a massage
alone may be just what you need. For example, if the auto accident only causes
soft tissue damage, a good massage may smooth out those knots.
Relaxing the muscles may also help with some neurological
pain, such as a pinched nerve from an inflamed muscle. There are multiple types
of massages, but after an accident, your massage therapist may recommend a deep
massage or a trigger point massage. A deep massage targets deep muscles, which
may have been damaged in the accident. Trigger point massage focuses on areas
of tight muscle fibers.
3. Neurological Physical Therapy
If you do have some neurological damage, your doctor may
recommend neurological physical therapy. One reason people need neurological
physical therapy is that they have some kind of damage to a nerve, which can
cause numbness, tingling, and weakness in extremities. Even something as minor
as some numbness in your fingers can actually be the result of nerve irritation
in your neck or shoulder area.
Of course, many people seek neurological physical therapy
after an accident because of brain trauma. Even if you are buckled, when you
get in an accident, your head may move forward, backward, or side-to-side fast.
This can lead to a concussion or other brain complications. Without treatment,
these can result in serious side effects.
4. Orthopedic Physical Therapy
After a car accident injury, many people need some kind of
orthopedic physical therapy to fully recoup, regain mobility, and eliminate
pain. During an accident, your body takes a lot of force, which can affect
bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. You may even break bones or tear soft
tissue. One common injury after car accidents is whiplash, which results from
the head being forced forward and backward quickly.
If you have whiplash, you lose mobility in your neck, which
may prevent you from being able to touch your chin to your chest or fully turn
your head. Even if the area eventually heals on its own, you may still have
limited mobility and stiffness, but orthopedic physical therapy helps by
retraining those muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons how to work together
properly again.
Car accidents are no joke, and they can cause serious injury
or even death. Even after the initial treatment, you may struggle with
long-term effects, such as limited mobility. If you want to learn more, or if
you need an attorney to help you get the fair settlement you deserve, contact us at the Law Offices
of James B. Gillespie, Jr., PLLC.
