Physical Therapy Exercises After a Car Accident

In our modern transportation world, car accidents are one of the risks we take every day when we head out the door to travel to our destination. While they may be rare based on the average number of miles driven per accident, they are still an unfortunate reality of modern life. PT and the exercises that you perform during and between sessions can help you recover from a car accident. Before beginning any new exercise or stretching routine, you should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Physical therapy is an effective tool for healing after a car accident and can help people restore mobility and alleviate pain. Learn more about effective physical therapy exercises after a car accident and see why you should ensure physical therapy is an important component of your post-auto collision accident recovery plan.

Number of Car Accidents Per Year

According to NHTSA, there are nearly 6 million car accidents every single year in the United States, with nearly 2.5 million injuries sustained from those car accidents. While cars are getting safer with assisted driving features (or ADAS – Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) like autopilot alongside additional advancements in the build quality and safety engineering of vehicles with improved structure, engineering, and modern requirements, injuries are still a large concern every time we step into a vehicle. The cost of several million injuries per year isn’t just physical, it can also be financial, as expenses can add up for victims, employers, and insurance providers. Injuries can require extensive medical care and recovery, but costs extend beyond the rehabilitation aspect and can also impact individuals from the lost work time and long-term rehabilitation. Physical therapy can help individuals recover after a car accident and get them on the pathway to feeling better, faster.

Most Common Auto Injuries After a Car Accident

Injuries after a car accident can range from minor bumps and bruises to life-altering changes. Some of the most common car accident injuries include shoulder injuries, back injuries, whiplash, knee injuries, fractures or broken bones, concussions, sprains, and strains.

How Physical Therapy Aids in Healing After a Car Accident

Physical therapy is an important component of a car accident injury recovery because it is designed to help patients restore movement, build functional strength, improve range of motion, and alleviate pain. One of the main challenges after experiencing a car accident and sustaining an injury is getting back to normal. Physical therapy is a cost-effective treatment option that can help individuals regain their confidence and get back to performing everyday activities. Physical therapy can provide effective pain relief without the need for costly surgeries or the reliance on medications for many of the most common car accident injuries. PT can also be effective for addressing underlying acute injuries before they turn into long-term issues or chronic pain if they’re not taken care of.

Effective Physical Therapy Exercises After a Car Accident

As a reminder, before beginning any new exercise or stretching routine, you should consult with a qualified healthcare professional. Throughout the course of physical therapy, your PT will work closely with you to ensure that your course of care is personalized to your unique needs, injuries, and recovery goals. Your PT will utilize a combination of manual therapy techniques, stretches, modalities, and exercises that are tailored to help you alleviate pain, restore mobility, and improve function. Take a look at some of the most effective physical therapy exercises after a car accident.

Chin Tucks

Chin tucks can be a good exercise for neck or upper back tension.

• Sit or stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed and eyes facing forward.
• While looking forward, gently pull your chin towards your throat without tilting your head forward or to the sides
• Hold for 5 seconds
• Slowly return to the starting position
• Repeat for ten repetitions

Side to Side Neck Rotations

• While standing or sitting, look straight ahead with your arms at your sides and shoulders relaxed
• Slowly turn your head to the right to look comfortably over your shoulder
• Slowly return to the starting position to look forward once again
• Slowly turn to the opposite direction to look comfortably over your left shoulder
• Return to the starting position
• Repeat for several repetitions

Shoulder Circles

• While standing or sitting, look straight ahead with your arms at your sides
• Slowly raise your shoulders up as if you were performing a shoulder shrug and begin to perform a circular movement
• Roll your shoulders forward and then return to the starting position
• Perform several repetitions in one direction and then repeat in the opposite direction

Shoulder Squeeze

Shoulder squeezes are another good exercise to alleviate tension in the upper back and shoulders.

• While standing or seated, look straight ahead with your arms relaxed at your sides and staring straight ahead
• Slowly squeeze your shoulders together as if you were trying to hold an imaginary ball between your shoulder blades
• Hold the squeeze for several seconds
• Slowly return to the starting position
• Repeat for several repetitions

Heel Slides

Knee injuries are some of the most common car accident injuries. Heel slides can help to improve range of motion that can get tightness out of your hip and knee.

• Lie on your back with both legs straight in front of you and toes towards the ceiling
• Slowly bend one knee and place your foot flat on the ground
• Slowly slide your heel towards your buttocks while keeping your foot flat on the floor
• Slowly return to the starting position
• Repeat for several repetitions and then do the same with the opposite leg

Treat Car Accident Injuries with Physical Therapy

If you’ve been in a recent auto collision or are still dealing with a car accident injury, physical therapy can be an effective treatment option for you. PT can help you address and alleviate pain, improve mobility, build functional strength, and help you work towards feeling better with a more cost-effective treatment option. Request an appointment at a nearby physical therapy clinic to see how physical therapy can help you recover from a car accident injury.

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