Waiting to start PT after an accident can actually INCREASE your healing time
Some people are told to “rest” for 4-6 weeks before starting therapy after an accident. The problem with this? There are many things a person can do immediately after a car accident to facilitate healing and prevent dysfunction.
All too often, we see people 6 months or more after a car accident or motor vehicle accident (MVA).
Without exercises at home, the picture is this: limited, painful movement of the spine or joints, global weakness, and poor posture that becomes painful when corrected.
The same is true for other types of trauma as well! Prolonged rest causes stiffness, and can lead to increased pain.
Nick Rinard Physical Therapy has a very effective treatment protocol that helps patients avoid loss in range in motion, and decrease pain!
This is a question that seems to be in debate. At our clinic, we advise our patients to come in for treatment as soon as possible when experiencing pain in order for the fastest results. I have experienced push-back from other health care practioners who want the person to “rest” for 4-6 weeks before starting therapy. The problem with this? There are many things a person can be doing immediately after the MVA to facilitate healing and prevent dysfunction. All too often, we see people 6 months or longer after the MVA. If the patient has not been given anything to work on for exercises at home, the picture is this: limited, painful movement of the spine or joint, global weakness, and poor posture that becomes painful if corrected.
What does therapy look like in the first few weeks after an MVA?
Initiate gentle range of motion exercise to prevent loss of movement
Manual techniques including passive range of motion and soft tissue mobilization to promote blood flow and healing.
Ultrasound modalities that decrease inflammation/swelling and promote tissue healing</li class=”rinardptli”>
Education and training on how to prevent dysfunction
Here at Nick Rinard Physical Therapy, we see a lot of patients who have suffered an MVA. In fact, we see it so much we have a protocol for it that is very successful for treatment. Don’t wait! Start healing and feeling better today!
A few months ago, I treated a young Portland area woman who was suffering from low back pain. “Beth” had been in a car accident 10 months prior to my evaluation. She was rating her worst pain as a 9/10 and was moderately limited with walking, sitting, bending and lifting. Because of the pain associated with these activities, Beth was limited with her duties as a student nurse, and somewhat concerned with how her back condition will affect the rest of her life. Beth had been to a chiropractor and to a different physical therapy clinic, neither of which proved to have any lasting benefits.
Beth’s objective findings included what mechanical therapists call a “Left Shift” in standing. This means that her shoulders were not centered over her hips, but rather, off to the left side. We know this as a relevant lateral component and is typically associated with a derangement (something out of alignment or out of place). Beth also demonstrated limited, painful movements of the spine; primarily in the frontal plane.
The exercise to correct Beth’s shift and reduce her derangement was repeated right side glide in standing. Beth was able to perform this exercise throughout her day to decrease her pain and by 3 weeks out, she was reporting little to no pain. Beth was then able to begin core strengthening exercises, after her pain was gone, and get back to her duties as a nursing student. At our last treatment visit, Beth told me that she was able to work multiple 12 hour shifts as a nurse without any pain!
If the physical therapy treatment you are receiving does not get feeling better within 1 or 2 weeks, find something that works!
