Personal and Auto Accident Injuries
Many individuals turn to physical therapy and chiropractic care when they have been injured in an auto, job-related, or other type of accident. Such injuries can be overwhelming emotionally as well as physically. Working on an individual therapeutic basis with a skilled professional can be both reassuring and healing. For the majority of injuries, there are several types of care available as alternatives or adjuncts to surgical treatments Such hands-on physical therapies have several advantages: they are non-invasive, less expensive, and less painful than other types of treatment, and produce no scarring.
Types of Injuries Treated
Most injuries, even those requiring surgical intervention, can be helped to heal through physical therapy and chiropractic treatment. Such treatment may be administered both before and after other medical procedures. On average, ongoing care is required for 3 months to achieve full recovery. Treatment is designed to get patients back to their work and everyday routines as quickly as possible.
Whiplash
The primary cause of whiplash is auto accidents, both major collisions and fender-benders. Patients may feel the effects of whiplash immediately after a collision or weeks, months, or even years, later. Whiplash injuries result when the neck suddenly moves forward, backward or sideways. They are also referred to as acceleration/deceleration injuries.
Other Joint Injuries
In occupational and other accidents, other joints (besides the neck) are frequently injured. Physiotherapy can effectively treat injuries of the shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle and foot, as well as injuries to the facet joints of the vertebrae (subluxations) which may require chiropractic adjustments. Frequently, when whiplash or other joint injuries occur, nerve impingement, commonly known as a pinched nerve, also occurs.
Soft Tissue Damage
Personal injuries often affect soft tissue, such as muscles, ligaments and tendons which can stretch excessively, tear or rupture.
Any of these injuries can result in pain, dysfunction, numbness and limited range of motion (stiffness). Some may also cause headaches, dizziness or blurred vision. In a great many cases, all of these symptoms can be successfully treated through physical therapy and chiropractic care.
Treatments of Personal and Auto Accident Injuries
In most cases, personal and auto accident injuries are most effectively treated by a combination of acupuncture, physical therapy, and chiropractic care. In addition to acupuncture, active physical therapy exercises, and chiropractic manipulations, there are several passive modalities used in such treatment, including:
- Ice packs and hot packs
- Electrical muscle stimulation
- Ultrasound
- Traction
- Hydrotherapy
- Herbal medicine
- Infrared therapy (Heat therapy).
Which treatment is used depends not only on the type of injury incurred but on where the patient is in the recovery process.