Auto Accident & Personal Injury
Physical therapy after a car accident, or car accident physical therapy, treats what follows a crash, such as whiplash, neck pain, back pain, shoulder injuries and concussion symptoms. Our physical therapists use hands-on care and exercise to ease pain and restore movement. Spine & Rehab Specialists treats auto accident injuries at our Edgemere and Physicians clinics in El Paso, Texas.
Common injuries after a crash
A collision can jolt the body even at low speed. The neck and back absorb much of it, and the shoulder can be hurt by a seat belt or a braced arm. Typical auto accident injury problems include whiplash and other neck pain, low and mid back pain, shoulder injuries, headaches and concussion symptoms such as dizziness and trouble concentrating.
Whiplash treatment starts with understanding which tissues are sore and how your neck moves. Neck pain after a car accident and back pain after a car accident are often joined by muscle spasm and stiffness. See neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain and Headaches & Migraines.
See a doctor first if you have warning signs
Get medical care right away, and do not wait for therapy, if after a crash you have:
- A worsening headache, confusion or repeated vomiting
- Numbness, tingling or weakness in an arm or leg
- Chest or abdominal pain
- Severe neck pain after trauma
Why to be evaluated soon, even if pain is mild at first
Pain after a crash often builds over days, because adrenaline and swelling hide it at first. A therapist can find problems early, show you what to avoid and begin treatment while the area is still recovering. An early evaluation also records your condition from the start, which matters if you make a claim.
Treatment after an accident
Your plan matches what the evaluation finds. It can include hands-on manual therapy for stiff joints and tight muscles (see manual therapy), exercise to stabilize and strengthen the neck and back, functional dry needling for trigger points (see dry needling), and balance and vestibular exercises if you feel dizzy after the crash (see vestibular rehab).
If you hit your head or your head snapped back, we also check for concussion symptoms. See concussion care. Whiplash and concussion often come together.
Insurance, claims and your attorney
How does billing work after a car accident?
It depends on your coverage and your claim. Call us before your first visit with your insurance and claim details, and we will help verify your insurance requirements.
What about PIP physical therapy or a letter of protection?
If you ask about PIP physical therapy or personal injury physical therapy under a letter of protection, ask us how it would work in your case before you schedule. We will be straightforward about what we can and cannot do.
Can you work with my attorney or adjuster?
We keep clear notes of your visits and progress, and with your permission we can share them with those involved in your claim.
Recovering after a car accident in El Paso, Texas
Hurt in a crash? Call our Edgemere or Physicians clinic, or request an appointment. In many cases you do not need a referral in Texas, and we can help verify your insurance requirements before your first visit.
We see patients at our Edgemere and Physicians clinics in El Paso, Texas.