5 Ways Physical Therapy Can Help You after an Accident

If you are suffering after a physical injury due to recent accident, here are six ways physical therapy can help you recover.

Relief when home remedies don’t work

The RICE method is a popular home remedy after injuries. It stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. These simple methods are easy ways to reduce pain and swelling without seeking medical care.

However, not every injury can be helped with home remedies like the RICE method. If you’ve tried resting, icing, compressing the injured area, and elevating your injury without experiencing healing in three to four days, it’s time to consult a professional.

Physical therapy is best when the pain doesn’t go away on its own. A qualified therapist will help you rehabilitate your body better than you can do yourself.

Promotes healing by pinpointing the pain source

A physical therapist is trained to locate the source of your pain. You may think that a muscle in your back is strained after an accident. However, a physical therapist may find that you have a slipped disc or spine injury, which needs special treatment.

When your pain source is correctly identified, the healing process can begin. Waiting to seek treatment only prolongs the pain and symptoms. It’s worth the time and effort to seek a consultation to rule out any deeper issues.

Increases mobility with stretching

After an accident, your muscles and ligaments can get tight because you are moving differently to protect the sore area. A physical therapist can show you stretching exercises to loosen tight muscles and help increase range of motion.

You may be surprised to learn that almost everyone who suffers from back pain due to an injury will experience less pain with hamstring stretches. Tight hamstring muscles cause undue pressure to the lower back. A physical therapist can demonstrate hamstring stretches to ease your back pain, along with stretches to ease pain in other areas.

Prevents further injury with strengthening

Physical therapy helps protect your body against repeat injury by making muscles stronger and more resilient. For example, core muscle development translates into a stronger, healthier back that is less prone to injury.

It’s risky to try strengthening exercises on your own, without professional consultation. You may unintentionally cause further injury by pushing yourself too hard. Ask a physical therapist to show you what strengthening exercises are best for your situation.

Treats symptoms on an individual basis

Each injury is different. A physical therapist is trained to assess your unique situation and prescribe just the right healing methods for your body and your life stage. They can help in many ways, such as improving your posture, teaching better movement techniques, and initiating a wellness program with exercise and stress-relieving practices.

When you begin physical therapy, plan to give your therapist a full description of health problems and past injuries. This will help your therapist understand the full picture of your body’s needs. The therapist will engage in individual consultation, conduct an examination, offer you a report, and develop a wellness program. The length of your therapy treatments will depend on the location and severity of your accident injury.

Contact an experienced physical therapist today to get the help and healing you need. You’ll feel stronger and healthier with the assistance of a physical therapist.

About the Author:

Dr. Singer has been a practicing chiropractor for more than 20 years, and USA Health & Therapy has been around since 2004. Over the course of his career, Singer has helped tens of thousands of people with all kinds of issues by using a wide variety of treatment strategies. He has extensive knowledge of chiropractic modalities, including Gonstead, Diversified, Thompson Drop Table, and Activator, and in 1997 he earned a special adjunctive Chiropractic Certification in Spinal Trauma (CCST) to better provide care for car crash victims. Dr. Singer is licensed to practice chiropractic medicine in both Florida and New York.