by Slava Belits | Jun 10, 2023 | 5 min. read

How long should I go to physical therapy after a car accident?

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Accidents are an unfortunate part of life. Car accidents in particular often result in painful and debilitating injuries. If you’ve experienced this unfortunate event, you may have questions like, “How long does physical therapy take after a car accident?” or “How long should I go to physical therapy after a car accident?” You’re not alone, and we’re here to help you find the answers you need.

Experienced an auto accident? Unsure of the next step?

Common Car Accident Injuries and the Role of Physical Therapy
The Recovery Timeline: How long does physical therapy take after a car accident?
The Importance and Benefits of Continued Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
When can you stop physical therapy after a car accident?
Proactive measures to prevent car accident injuries
Contact our physical therapy clinic today

Let’s delve into the topic, focusing on key aspects such as common injuries, the recovery process, physical therapy treatment, and how long you can expect the road to recovery to take.

Common Car Accident Injuries and the Role of Physical Therapy

In 2022, U.S. hospitals and medical centers will treat more than 4 million car accident injuries, many of which could have benefited from physical therapy. The types of injuries often treated by physical therapists include

Back injuries
Chest injuries
Broken bones and fractures
Neck injuries
Shoulder injuries
Knee injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries
Spinal Cord Injuries
Whiplash injuries

Physical therapists work with other specialists to aid in the recovery process and prevent further injury.

The Recovery Timeline: How long does physical therapy take after a car accident?

Each patient’s recovery journey is unique, depending on the severity and type of injuries. However, the average car accident victim typically requires six to eight weeks of physical therapy for soft tissue injuries.

Factors That Affect the Length of Recovery

Your recovery time will be determined by factors such as the severity and type of injury, previous injuries, and your treatment goals. Keep in mind that recovery can take anywhere from a few weeks to years, depending on your individual circumstances.

The Importance and Benefits of Continued Physical Therapy After a Car Accident

Continuing physical therapy until you are fully recovered is important for a variety of reasons:

Physical Therapy Enhances the Recovery Process

Physical therapy can help you regain strength, flexibility, and range of motion more quickly, easing your road to recovery.

Physical therapy helps manage pain

Regular exercise facilitated by physical therapy can help reduce pain, relieve stiffness, and speed the healing process.

Physical therapy can prevent long-term damage

Early physical therapy can prevent chronic pain and long-term damage, especially in the case of serious injuries.

Physical Therapy Can Restore Function in Patients with Old Injuries

If you’ve been in a car accident in the past and haven’t received physical therapy, don’t worry-it’s never too late to start.

Physical Therapy Can Help Avoid Surgery

In non-life-threatening cases, physical therapy can potentially save you from needing surgery in the future.

When can you stop physical therapy after a car accident?

While your physical therapist will guide you, here are signs that you may be nearing the end of your physical therapy journey:

Improved Function

The goal of physical therapy is to restore normal function to injured body parts. If you’ve reached your functional goals, you may be nearing the end of your physical therapy treatment.

Absence of Pain

Physical therapy should reduce pain over time. When you can perform daily activities with minimal or no pain, your physical therapy journey may be complete.

Ability to maintain gains at home

If you’re able to do the prescribed exercises at home to maintain your results, your therapist may reduce the frequency of your appointments until you’re completely independent.

Reduced risk of re-injury

Physical therapists aim to strengthen your body to prevent reinjury.

Proactive measures to prevent car accident injuries

While being proactive does not guarantee you will never have a car accident, taking precautions can significantly reduce the risk of serious injury.

Safety first

Always buckle up before starting your journey. Seat belts can prevent serious injuries in many accidents by keeping passengers safe and reducing the risk of ejection in the event of a crash.

Obey speed limits

Speeding is a common cause of car accidents. It’s important to obey the speed limit and adjust your speed based on road conditions and traffic.

Avoid distractions

Distractions such as texting, talking on the phone, or eating while driving can take your focus off the road. It is important to keep your eyes on the road to prevent accidents.

Driving under the influence

Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs impairs your judgment and slows your reaction time. Always have a designated driver or use a taxi or ridesharing service if you’ve been drinking or using drugs.

Vehicle maintenance

Regular vehicle maintenance can help prevent accidents by ensuring that your vehicle is in good working order. Regular inspections can identify and correct problems before they lead to accidents.

Contact our physical therapy clinic today

After a car accident, it's important to consider physical therapy as part of your recovery process. Our expert team of physical therapists is here to help you manage pain, improve mobility, and get back on track to a healthy and active lifestyle.

If you've been in an accident and are unsure about how long your physical therapy treatment may last, or how long you should go to physical therapy after a car accident, don't hesitate to contact us. Our physical therapists are here to help you on the road to recovery.

We understand that every patient's case is unique. That is why we pride ourselves on creating personalized recovery plans that take into account your specific injuries, pain levels, and recovery goals.

Remember, getting you better is our priority, and we will be with you throughout your recovery process. Don't let the aftermath of a car accident take a toll on your quality of life. Let us help you return to your active lifestyle. Contact our physical therapy clinic today.

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