Centennial Sports & Physical Therapy offers car accident physical therapy, including whiplash treatment, in Spokane Valley, WA. We treat many of the most common injuries after an auto collision, so you can find relief and get back to doing the things you love.
8 Common Car Accident Injuries
- Whiplash
- Dislocations & Fractures
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Knee Trauma
- Foot & Ankle Injuries
- Hand & Wrist Injuries
- Headaches & Migraines
How Physical Therapy Can Help You
Physical therapy can restore range of motion, encourage healing, and relieve pain, but that’s not all. Getting the care you need early can benefit you in many ways in the months to come. Timely treatment may reduce the incidence of secondary injuries and help to reduce the effects of whiplash.
Assessing Your Car Accident Injury
At Centennial Sports & Physical Therapy, our experienced physical therapists take a comprehensive approach to helping you recover from car accident injuries. The process begins with an initial evaluation, where we assess your condition, identify areas of pain and limited mobility, and develop a personalized treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
Personalized Treatment Plans
This plan may include a range of techniques, such as manual therapy, joint mobilization, and exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion. Our therapists will work with you to create a customized exercise program, which may include stretches, strengthening exercises, and functional activities to help you regain normal movement patterns and reduce pain.
Monitoring Your Progress
Throughout the treatment process, we will continually assess your progress, adjust your treatment plan as needed, and provide education on proper body mechanics and posture to prevent future injuries. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge, tools, and support necessary to achieve optimal recovery and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
Whiplash – A Common Car Accident Injury
Since the symptoms of whiplash don’t always manifest immediately following vehicular accidents, a victim may go for days without noticing any signs of neck injury. Starting physical therapy right after a car accident can minimize discomfort if a whiplash injury has occurred.
The Effects Of Whiplash
Whiplash refers to a condition that happens to the neck when the head violently and quickly snaps back and forth in rapid succession. However, whiplash is often caused by any type of car accident as well as contact sports, such as horse riding, or even physical abuse.
Whiplash Treatment & Symptoms
Some people may find it surprising, but whiplash symptoms can appear after a minor accident or fender bender.
Signs Of Whiplash
- Neck Pain
- Neck Stiffness
- Shoulder Pain
- Back Pain
- Numbness Or Tingling In Arms
Whiplash Treatment
- Massage
- Joint Mobilization
- Neck & Shoulder Exercises
- Patient Education To Reduce Strain
- Heat, Cold, Or Electrical Stimulation
By addressing the underlying causes of whiplash, physical therapy can help you recover quickly and safely, reducing the risk of chronic pain and disability after a car accident.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Seeking physical therapy treatment immediately after a car accident is crucial for a speedy and successful recovery. Early treatment helps to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and prevent long-term damage to muscles, joints, and soft tissues.
If left untreated, minor injuries can escalate into chronic conditions, leading to prolonged pain, limited mobility, and decreased quality of life.
Reducing Post-Accident Pain
Curling up and sleeping the pain away may sound tempting. Unfortunately, a complete lack of movement during recovery can make you stiff and sore. You may even end up increasing your overall pain levels.
During car accident physical therapy, our therapists can target strained muscles, harmful compressions, and pinched nerves. They will work these trouble spots to help you feel better faster.
According to the American Physical Therapy Association, Research has shown that early physical therapy can make a significant difference in reducing opioid use. A study of over 88,000 patients found that those who received early physical therapy were 10% less likely to use opioids later on.
Preventing Long-Term Damage
The main goals of motor vehicle injury rehabilitation are to treat your current injuries and to prevent further harm as you continue to heal. Without safe, supervised exercises during your recovery, your muscles may continue to weaken.
You may lose strength and flexibility. You may even increase your risk of falls, muscle tears, and other secondary injuries. We can help you exercise your injury safely.
Documenting Your Injuries
If you’re planning to sue the person who injured you, seeing a physical therapist may benefit your case. It is not uncommon for the person at fault to accuse the accident victim of exaggerating their injuries to get extra money.
Your legal representation may require you to have a record of medical treatment. That way you can prove to the judge that your injuries are severe and that you should be compensated.
Avoiding Surgery with PT
Surgery can prolong your recovery period and is both emotionally and physically stressful. While there are certain situations in which surgery is needed, many injuries can be treated safely through physical therapy.
Getting attention quickly and sticking to your PT treatment plan may help you avoid surgery altogether.
Start Your Car Accident Recovery Today
Why suffer needlessly? At Centennial Sports & Physical Therapy in Spokane Valley, we offer whiplash, neck, and back pain treatments, as well as hand physical therapy. Don’t wait to seek out physical therapy after a car accident. Contact us today to set up an appointment and find relief.
