Just Been in a Car Accident? Here’s What You Need to Know About Recovery

Experiencing a car accident can be a traumatic and disorienting event, leaving you with many questions about what to do next, especially regarding your health. At PRO Therapy, we understand the physical and emotional impact of vehicle accidents, and we’re here to guide you toward a swift and effective recovery.

Do I Really Need Physical Therapy After a Car Accident, Even if I Feel Fine?

The short answer is a resounding yes. Even if you don’t feel immediate pain or significant injuries after a car accident, it’s always a good idea to get yourself checked out by a healthcare professional. Seeing one of our specialized physical therapists can be crucial for a quick and effective recovery.

Many people underestimate the hidden impact of an accident. Recent studies show that approximately 1 in 4 people who experience a whiplash-associated injury from a car accident will deal with pain for over six months. In some cases, up to 20% of those who develop neck pain from an accident experience symptoms for more than two years. These statistics highlight why early intervention is so important.

Why Do So Many People Develop Long-Term Symptoms After a Car Accident?

This is a common and important question. Often, it comes down to people neglecting the severity of their injuries in the initial aftermath. We frequently hear stories of individuals coming to us months, or even years, after an accident because their symptoms progressively worsened over time.

In the first few days after an accident, it’s common to feel a bit groggy, fatigued, and generally sore, without any obvious “major” injury. However, your body likely experienced intense deceleration forces, which can cause overstretching of the deep support muscles and ligaments in your neck and back. This is what often leads to the development of chronic symptoms down the line.

When these areas around your spine are stressed, they require gradual movement and strengthening to return to their previous state. Unfortunately, many people instinctively rest, ice, and limit movement, which can prevent the true injury from healing properly. Both young, healthy individuals and older adults can benefit significantly from post-motor vehicle accident treatment.

Recent MRI-based studies have shown that those who experience a whiplash-associated injury can have overstretching and damage to their deep spinal stabilizer muscles. If these muscles aren’t properly strengthened after an injury, they may not return to their original size and strength.

The Hidden Impact: What Happens Internally?

You might be wondering, “Why isn’t the pain more severe right after the accident then?”

MRIs taken 3-6 months after an accident have revealed that individuals who don’t complete a formal strengthening program are more likely to develop fatty deposits around these deep spinal stabilizer muscles. These MRI changes help explain why someone might experience only mild pain initially but then develop more severe pain months or even years later. If these crucial neck stabilizer muscles don’t regain their original strength, you’re at a higher risk of re-injury. Researchers have also observed overall muscle atrophy in the neck.

This information isn’t meant to scare you, but to emphasize the importance of early post-accident care. The good news is that these post-accident changes are often reversible! The sooner you get your neck and back moving again after an accident, the faster you’ll recover, and the less likely you’ll be to develop long-term effects. A few weeks of dedicated exercise can do wonders for preventing future injury and pain.

What Should I NOT Do After a Car Accident?

Knowing what to avoid can be just as important as knowing what to do.

• Don’t Rely Solely on Bed Rest: While some rest might be necessary, prolonged bed rest is one of the worst things you can do. High pain levels might limit your movement, but only resting will lead to tight joints, weak muscles, and a decreased tolerance for physical activity. The more you focus solely on resting, the harder it will be to return to your previous physical activity levels. Extensive research supports the idea that those who are more active post-car accident have better long-term recovery results.
• Don’t Rush to Get Imaging (Unless Advised): Unless you’re over 65 or were in a high-speed accident (vehicle traveling greater than 55 mph), you most likely don’t immediately need an X-ray or MRI. Most people involved in car accidents won’t have significant findings on initial imaging because the post-accident changes, like fatty deposits and generalized atrophy, take time to develop. If you’re hesitant about seeing a physical therapist after an accident, please know that our first step is always to determine if you need to consult with a doctor or have imaging done. The good news is, most people don’t need it for a full recovery.

What SHOULD I Do After a Car Accident?

Now that we’ve covered what to avoid, let’s talk about the proactive steps you can take.

• Move! This sounds simple, but we understand it can be extremely difficult with accident-related pain. This is precisely where physical therapy comes in.
• We will guide your body into movements that are comfortable for you. Motion is lotion for our joints, and the longer they stay in a guarded and stiff position, the harder it will be to loosen them again.
• We’ll help guide your neck and back range of motion to prevent chronic tightness while also reducing your pain. Yes, movement can even help reduce pain!

How Can I Start Moving My Neck and Back Safely?

One effective strategy we use to get the neck moving again after an accident is to stretch while lying down on your back. Many people experience pain when moving their neck in a seated position after an accident. By lying down, we reduce the stress of gravity on your spine, making it easier to work on your range of motion.

What If I Don’t Feel Ready to Start Physical Therapy After a Car Accident?

This is a completely understandable concern, especially if you’re in significant pain. We just talked about the importance of movement and exercise, and many people don’t feel ready for that in the first 1-3 weeks after an accident.

Your pain following this trauma is incredibly important to us. For anyone following a motor vehicle accident, the first phase of the rehabilitation process is all about pain management. So, for those who feel their pain levels are too high for PT, we actually believe they are the perfect client to get in ASAP!

We have a wide range of tools at our disposal (like dry needling, for example!) that can significantly reduce your pain after an accident. Once your pain levels have calmed down and you feel more ready to move, we’ll gently guide that movement.

Every Car Accident is Different, and So is Every Recovery!

There is hope after motor vehicle accidents, and we want to show you where to find it. Whether it was a high-speed, head-on collision or a minor fender bender, we highly recommend consulting with a healthcare professional.

As physical therapists, we can educate you on your accident-related injuries and set you on a path to prevent long-term pain and dysfunction.

This blog post only scratches the surface of the questions and concerns you might have after an accident. If you still have questions about how physical therapy can help you, give us a call to set up an appointment. We also offer a Free Discovery Visit with our therapists where you can share your story and determine if we’re the right fit for your recovery journey.