Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Accident Victims

 

It is not at all uncommon for physical therapists and rehabilitation specialists to work with patients who have been involved in a vehicular accident. Treatment is often sought for whiplash injuries that may have fractured parts of the spine and cause major trauma to the neck area. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan is needed to help the patient progress from the acute initial stages, through any necessary procedures, and on to recovery.

In the acute stage, the physical therapist will gently move you through a series of stretching exercises specifically designed to prevent stiffness or reduced range of motion. As you begin to recover, you will undergo strengthening exercises. Like any therapy, your recovery treatment will be customized to your individual needs.

For most people who have recently endured a whiplash injury, the most important thing in their minds is to manage their pain. Pain management is important, but is secondary to maintaining the patient’s mobility and motor control to avoid developing a long term disability. In order to prevent any loss of mobility, a therapist will use a blend of hot, cold, and massage therapies to help relieve your pain and restore your normal working movement.

After this has been accomplished you will likely begin some form of mild resistance training in order to regain strength in the affected area. Due to the fragility of the neck area, you may also experience numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation in various areas of your body. You may also have trouble coordinating your movements and balancing. The best rehabilitation programs address these issues as well by retraining and strengthening the neural pathways that control those movements.

If you need to enter a comprehensive rehabilitation program in order to recover from a whiplash injury, you should be aware that this type of injury is complex and make take a long time to recover from. According to most research, this type of injury may cause symptoms for up to a year after the initial accident. It is important that you stay active and mobile in order to prevent any lasting damage from the injury.

Always consult with your medical professional before beginning any new training or rehabilitation program following a car injury. Click here for more information about the accident rehabilitation services offered at Guadalupe Regional Medical Center.