Accidents

About Accidents

Accidents can strike at any time, and they can happen to anyone. You can follow all the safety procedures at work and still trip over a cord and twist your ankle or break a bone. Some of the safest drivers end up in car accidents every year due to the negligence of others sharing the roadways. You can’t predict or prevent some of the most traumatic accidents, but you can arm yourself with knowledge about the best treatment options available for a variety of injuries.

Common Injuries Sustained from Accidents

The most difficult part of experiencing an accident is the lack of preparation. Whether you fall from a ladder, slip down the stairs, or are hit while riding a bike, you often have just seconds to process what is happening and try to protect yourself. The result is often a variety of physical injuries, which are complicated by emotional distress and trauma.
Some of the most common injuries sustained from accidents include the following:

Pain
Stiffness
Limited range of motion
Headaches or migraines
Fatigue
Bone breaks or fractures
Strains and sprains
Tissue damage
Meniscal and tendon tears
Back injuries

Treatment Options for Post-Accident Aches & Pain

Primary care providers can help with medication and other basic treatment options that help ease the pain, discomfort, and stiffness that often comes with an accident. The problem is that those interventions often treat the symptoms without addressing the injuries that are causing the discomfort. That’s why working with the professional team at Prosynergy PT is ideal. The effective, noninvasive treatments offered at a physical therapy clinic can work along with medication and treatments suggested by medical specialists. They’re designed to identify the root cause of trauma and stimulate natural healing and recovery over time. What type of treatment you need and how quickly your body responds will depend on a variety of factors, including the nature of your injuries. Some of the most effective treatments for recovery after an accident include acupuncture, massage therapy, and physical therapy. Let’s take a closer look at what each of these treatments can offer your body during recovery.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture allows you to rest in a comfortable position while a trained practitioner inserts thin needles into select areas of your body. The practice was established as a part of Traditional Chinese medicine and has now become an accepted practice in the United States and many other regions of the world.
Some of the benefits of receiving acupuncture treatments while recovering from an accident include the following:

Reduce inflammation
Ease pain and stiffness
Relieve stress and anxiety
Stimulate natural healing
Relieve headaches and migraines

You can receive acupuncture treatments along with physical therapy or without any other interventions. The treatments are easily added to a treatment plan established by your primary care provider or a medical specialist and can help relieve mental as well as physical tension.

Massage Therapy

Sometimes, working the tension out of your muscles is exactly what you need after experiencing an accident. Massage therapy can help ease pain, inflammation, and tension in muscles throughout your body. The practice is relaxing and can help with stress, anxiety, and mood swings that may come with the recovery process.

A professional massage therapist will have the expertise needed to deliver the right type of massage for your injuries. You can add massage to a more detailed treatment plan, creating an action plan that speeds up the healing process for your body. It’s important to work with an experienced practitioner who understands the nature of your injuries and can work with your treatment plan safely and efficiently.

Physical Therapy

Does it seem like moving through a physical therapy session is the last thing your body needs while recovering from an accident? It may seem like the painful option, but physical therapy is often the best way to stimulate healing after experiencing traumatic injuries from an accident. Whether you’re suffering from whiplash after getting rear-ended in a vehicle or a slip and fall, movement is key to easing your body back into an active lifestyle.

Some of the potential benefits of working with a professional physical therapist after an accident include the following:

Recover strength
Improve range of motion
Reduce pain
Improve flexibility
Speed healing and recovery
Boost confidence in physical capability

In some cases, physical therapy can help patients avoid surgery or permanent long-term damage. A therapist can provide stretches and exercises that are easily performed at home on a consistent basis. That gives you the power to take control of your injuries and help your body heal between therapy sessions.

Movement is a healthier option than complete bed rest or sporadic movement in the aftermath of most accidents. Working with an experienced physical therapist can make a significant difference in the length of time it takes you to recover fully. For many patients, movement also has a healing effect on the mind. Physical therapy can deliver a sense of empowerment and control over your circumstances, leading to reduced risk for depression and anxiety during recovery.