Auto Accidents

American Physical Therapy has helped hundreds of patients improve and eliminate pain following auto accident injuries, slip and fall, and work-related injuries and conditions. Our personalized approach helps you to recover more quickly and get back to the things you love. Fast care also increases the chances of long-term relief.

Whiplash and other accident-related conditions may not cause issues right away, but if left untreated, they can lead to chronic pain. After an accident, visiting a medical team who specializes in personal injuries can help alleviate headaches, neck pain, lower back pain, muscle soreness, and other conditions. A professional diagnosis can eliminate other causes for the pain and ensure you get proper care before the injury leads to more permanent damage.

Did you know that even auto accidents at speeds as low as eight miles per hour can cause whiplash and other profound trauma to the musculoskeletal system? In some cases, whiplash symptoms may not occur for 24-48 hours after the accident. This is due to the adrenaline rush, which masks the pain and stiffness for some time.

The whiplash motion causes a number of things to happen to the soft tissue and skeletal structure within the neck and spine. Whiplash is merely a term used to describe the initial motion; however, the resulting impact to the body can include many conditions, such as:

• Ligaments and muscles in the neck can be pulled or torn
• Nerves can be damaged or irritated
• Bones can be fractured or broken
• The vertebrae in the spine can become misaligned (subluxation)

Common Afflictions Resulting from a Car Crash Injury

• Headaches
• Neck pain
• Lower back pain
• Blurred vision
• Dizziness
• Numbness or tingling in limbs, hands or feet
• Loss of strength in the hands
• Ringing in ears
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Insomnia
• Inflamed muscles
• Stiffness in neck, shoulders and upper back

Neck sprains and strains don’t always get better with time, leaving untreated individuals with headaches and stiffness for months, or even years, after the accident. The symptoms also tend to increase in severity until they impact your ability to go to work and perform daily tasks.

Once the neck is injured, it can be re-injured fairly easily. Thankfully, the correct treatment can heal sprains and strains of the neck and help prevent future injuries.