Recovering After a Car Accident
Car accidents happen when you least expect them, and it's very common to need physical therapy afterward. The most frequent injuries we see are to the neck (cervical spine) and lower back, caused by the sudden jolt of impact. At HIDEF, our therapists are highly experienced in treating these areas along with any other pain you developed in the accident. We'll help you address your pain and limitations so you can get back behind the wheel and return to the activities you love. An injury from a car accident doesn't have to mean living with pain forever — we'll support you through every stage of recovery.
What does treatment look like?
At HIDEF, we don't just look at the area you injured in the accident — we perform a full evaluation to understand how that injury might be affecting other parts of your body, and vice versa. Treatment looks a little different for every patient depending on the severity, irritability, and pain levels we see each session. That's what makes HIDEF special: we personalize care for each person. We know how frustrating it is when an injury lingers and disrupts your daily life, and our goal is to get you back to a pain-free routine as quickly as possible.
How long is treatment?
In a physical therapist's famous last words — it depends. Recovery can be tricky. If you experienced whiplash (your head snapping forward and back, causing neck pain), it can stay painful for a while simply because you use your neck constantly: turning while driving, looking down on the stairs, and more. Neck pain can even affect your sleep. We'll work with you to find the best course of treatment to reduce pain, improve stability, and address any mobility deficits. Recovery has its ups and downs, but we promise to help you get back to a pain-free life as quickly as possible — including the exercises and stretches you'll need at home to maintain your progress.
Why would I need physical therapy after a car accident?
Every patient's needs are different depending on their injuries. The tricky thing about car accidents is that pain often doesn't show up right away — it can take days or even weeks for stiffness and discomfort to develop. Left alone, that pain tends to become a chronic problem that's harder to resolve than if you'd addressed it early. Starting physical therapy gives you a better chance at a quicker recovery and a faster return to a pain-free life.
Why choose HIDEF Physical Therapy?
At HIDEF, we pride ourselves on building a personalized plan of care for every patient. We take the time to figure out exactly what's bothering you, because no two patients are the same. From there, we develop a custom exercise program you'll do at home alongside your in-clinic appointments. As you progress, we add new challenges in the clinic and make sure you feel confident with your home routine — so you always have the tools you need to succeed. With seven convenient locations across the region, expert care is never far away.
