5 Reasons You Should Seek Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
5 Reasons You Should Seek Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
There are almost 16,500 car accidents a day across the United States. That means there are over 687 collisions an hour. The odds are that many of those individuals will suffer long-term physical problems, have broken bones, or need hospitalization. One way to alleviate some of the lasting difficulties is with physical therapy. Here are five reasons you should seek physical therapy if you are ever in a car accident.
- Speed Recovery
It may take more than a week after the accident to discover some of your body’s related injuries and how they are manifesting. During that time, the body can move awkwardly to compensate for the injuries. You can speed recovery by limiting the time your body has to compensate for those damaged body parts by working with a physical therapist.
- Reduce Pain
Science has shown that activity lessens the effects of pain and helps reduce prolonged physical problems. Physical therapy helps improve motion as it oxygenates blood and improves circulation. That means the body can more efficiently heal itself. As damaged areas improve, mobility and pain are reduced through physical therapy, a wider range of movement often results, even further decreasing pain.
- Avoid Surgery
Physical activity, including physical therapy and all its modalities, can stimulate and strengthen weakened muscular systems. As tendons, ligaments, and muscles can better hold the body’s structures, physical activity can increase, and surgery becomes less necessary. Research also claims that exercise can improve quality of life, making surgery less sought after and often unnecessary.
- Identify Injuries
Some injuries are difficult to identify after a vehicle accident, especially musculoskeletal damages that physical therapists can easily detect. Lumbar, knee and spinal injuries can also provide unique patterns of wounding that therapy exercises can identify. Once discovered, intervention can begin to ensure enhanced healing.
- Prevent Damage
Chronic injuries and pain are sometimes the results of a car accident. The injuries that become long-term can linger for decades if the damage is not addressed soon after the collision. Using physical therapy can focus on wounds while they are minimal and can help prevent them from becoming long-lasting issues.
Using physical therapy is the best way to reduce pain, speed recovery, and prevent chronic injuries from reducing life’s pleasures. If you have endured a personal injury from a car accident and it would be wise to seek out professionals in physical therapy in Baltimore, MD from an office like Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic to better understand your path to recovery and rehabilitation.
What To Bring To Your First Physical Therapy Appointment
What To Bring To Your First Physical Therapy Appointment
Physical therapy is the first step toward recovering from an injury, regaining mobility, or reducing pain. You can ensure a successful treatment plan when you bring the following to your first appointment with a physical therapist.
Your Medical History
Your physical therapist will want to know as much as possible about your condition and any other aspects of your medical history that might affect your treatment or progress. Be sure to gather any materials that your therapist may want to review, including:
- Medical records regarding your injury
- Doctors’ statements about your physical deficiencies
- Medications you are currently taking
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and vitamins
- Current X-rays and scans
Although your therapist will perform a physical evaluation, these materials are necessary to provide a complete picture of your issues.
Your Goals
You will need to understand what you hope to achieve through physical therapy. Whether you seek pain reduction, greater mobility, strength, or better balance, having goals will help your therapist steer your treatment in the direction it takes to achieve them.
Comfortable Clothes
Physical therapy sessions involve lots of stretching, lifting, bending, and other movements of various body parts. Avoid wearing restrictive clothing that will prevent you from adequately engaging your body. If you are arriving from work, you may want to bring a change of clothes that allows your therapist to examine your body while moving or resting.
Questions
Your first appointment is a perfect time to ask your therapist questions about your treatment. Questions may include:
- How long will my treatment last?
- How frequently should I come?
- How will I feel after each session?
- How will you measure my progress?
- What treatment modalities will you apply?
- What exercises can I do at home?
Insurance Information
If you have health insurance, you should remember to bring your policy details to your first appointment. Your policy will determine if you have a deductible before your coverage begins, how much you will pay for each session, and if you require pre-authorization from your insurance provider before you can start treatment.
Prescriptions
Although most states don’t require you to have a doctor’s prescription to begin physical therapy, you will need to bring this paperwork to your first appointment if you have one. Your doctor may have specific goals for your treatment, and a prescription will help your therapist focus on the areas of your body where your doctor thinks you are struggling.
Before you schedule your appointment for physical therapy in Bowie, Maryland with Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic give the office a call to better find out how you can prepare for your first visit.
Reasons To Choose a Private Practice Physical Therapist
Reasons To Choose a Private Practice Physical Therapist
Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to help you regain your strength and mobility following an injury, surgery, or debilitating medical condition. Most doctors will provide patients with a list of physical therapy service providers from which to choose. Selecting a therapist from a private practice offers the following benefits.
Undivided Attention
When you choose a private practice for your physical therapy, you receive your therapist’s undivided attention and do not share it with multiple patients receiving treatment at the same time. In addition, private practice therapists do not answer to a corporate entity that requires them to see a predetermined number of patients during the day. As a result, they are less concerned about the number of patients they treat than the quality of care they offer.
Better Coordination of Services
A private practice maintains scheduling, billing, therapy, and administrative services all under the same roof. As a result, patients know that they can turn to the same dedicated staff members for immediate answers to their questions and concerns.
Scheduling Flexibility
A busy work schedule could make finding time for multiple weekly physical therapy visits challenging. Choosing a private practice for your care will provide you with greater scheduling flexibility. In addition, physical therapy practices that are therapist-owned are more likely to accommodate your scheduling needs and may have evening and weekend availability.
Greater Range of Services
Therapist-owned physical therapy practices have the freedom to offer various services that you may not find if you choose a hospital setting. They may offer:
- Acupuncture. The therapist inserts thin needles through the skin and gently manipulates them to stimulate the release and flow of body chemicals that activate the body’s natural healing process.
- Dry Needling. The therapist inserts thin needles through the skin to reach muscular trigger points for relieving pain and improving the range of motion.
- Personal Training. Physical therapists have far more knowledge about body mechanics and systems than most personal trainers may acquire. As a result, they can develop the most highly customized exercise routine for your needs.
Personal Connection
Therapists in private practice can take the time to get to know their patients better. Stronger interpersonal relationships with patients make the therapy process more enjoyable and give the therapists a better understanding of their patients’ lifestyles, emotional makeup, and anything that might influence their progress.
Contact a practice focused on physical therapy in Bowie, Maryland like Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic to discuss the available services that can benefit your healing process.
What Injuries Can I See A Chiropractor For?
Chiropractic can treat many types of injuries that affect the muscles, joints, tendons, and ligaments. They can treat back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, nerve pain, and other types of joint pain. Patients can also see a chiropractor for headaches, migraines, weight loss, and nutrition. Chiropractors are knowledgeable about many types of treatment options for everything from car accident injuries to sports injuries, and many other types of conditions.
How can I get relief from back pain?
A trained and experienced chiropractor can do adjustments that can help to reduce pain, inflammation and pressure along your back, which is often the source of back pain. They can help you improve your flexibility, range of motion and relieve tension if you have stiff muscles. Chiropractors can inform you about exercises you can to relieve pain, improve your posture and maintain a healthy weight and lifestyle. Regular chiropractic sessions can gradually help you improve your flexibility and range of motion.
Should children receive chiropractic treatments?
Children are able to safely receive chiropractic treatments. Their bodies develop differently than adults, but there are customized treatments that are appropriate for children of different ages. Pain and symptoms that are left untreated can worsen in children, which may cause them to develop neck, shoulder and back issues.
Are chiropractic treatments safe?
Chiropractic treatments like spinal decompression, spinal manipulation, ultrasound therapy and electrical muscle stimulation are safe and effective. They are completely natural and don’t involve the use of invasive treatments. Many patients have seen significant results after getting chiropractic care, and experience a noticeable difference in their symptoms.
Seeing a qualified and trained chiropractor in Bowie, MD may be helpful if you have been suffering from joint pain. From ankle sprains to pinched nerves, there are many conditions and injuries that a chiropractor is experienced in treating. Compared to traditional types of treatment, such as surgery, chiropractic care is safe and effective. It is suitable for many people, from children to the elderly. Learn more about how you can receive chiropractic care from a qualified healthcare professional.
Why should I consider chiropractic care?
You should strongly consider chiropractic care if you have been experiencing pain affecting your nerves, muscles, and skeletal system. It is a non-invasive way to treat many types of issues like back pain, herniated discs, nerve pain, and arthritis pain. If you are searching for alternatives to surgery and harmful drugs which can worsen your condition, you should talk to a chiropractor to determine if you can benefit from chiropractic treatments for your injury or condition.
Why Should I See A Physical Therapist?
Many people see a physical therapist if they have lower back pain, shoulder pain or knee pain. Physical therapy is a discipline in healthcare that focuses on movement and treating injuries, diseases and other conditions that affect flexibility and function. When you see a physical therapist, they will help you widen your range of motion so that you can go back to doing the activities that you love to do.
When should I see a physical therapist?
Pain that has been going on for weeks should not be left untreated. Minor pain in your joints or muscles is normal, which can be a result of overuse due to daily wear and tear. This usually goes away. However, if you have developed pain after an accident or pain that has not gone away over time, it may be time to see a physical therapist. They can develop a treatment plan for you so that you can overcome your injury and restore function in your body.
What kind of injuries or issues do physical therapists treat?
Physical therapists are capable of diagnosing and treating many types of injuries, illnesses and conditions. Arthritis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis and pinched nerves are some of the issues that they treat in patients. If you have been in an accident or have suffered an injury during a workout, physical therapy can facilitate your healing and recovery.
How can a physical therapist fix my knee pain?
If you have knee pain, physical therapists can determine the source of your knee pain and recommend treatments. They may first give you exercises that focus on increasing your flexibility and strengthening your muscles. Knee pain may not just be caused by issues in your knee, but weak leg muscles as well. A physical therapist in Baltimore, MD might give you several exercises to do for a few weeks. They will follow up with you to see how you are benefiting from the exercises.
What should I expect from my first session?
You may be wondering what to expect when you attend a physical therapy session at a facility like Mid Atlantic Spinal Rehab & Chiropractic. During your first physical therapy session, the therapist will do a brief exam to assess your issue. They will ask you questions about your pain and symptoms, such as what type of pain you are feeling, when you first experienced them, and what types of activities that you do.