Motor vehicle accident rehabilitation

At Back in Business Physiotherapy we see many patients who have been involved in motor vehicle accidents. We treat patients who have suffered whiplash injuries and provide rehabilitation following fractures and major trauma. Physiotherapy is involved in all phases of rehabilitation, from the acute stage through to recovery. During the acute stage, gentle stretching exercises will be provided to prevent stiffness and loss of range of motion. These will be followed by strengthening exercises. As in all forms of therapy, treatment is tailored to the patient’s individual needs.

After suffering a whiplash injury, patients are most concerned about their pain but it is loss of mobility and motor control that cause long term disability. We use heat, cold and manual therapy to relieve pain in the early stages, while working to restore normal movement. Initially we prescribe stretching exercises to prevent stiffness and loss of range of motion. These will be followed by strengthening exercises. In severe cases, there may be numbness or loss of sensation in the limbs, as well as loss of coordination and balance. Specific exercises can help to resolve these problems.

People who have suffered a whiplash injury need to be aware of a few things. Firstly, the injury is complex and takes time to recover. Research shows that many people are still suffering some symptoms at 6 and even 12 months after injury, but good early management helps to minimize on-going problems. It is important to keep mobile and continue to do as much of your normal activity as is practical. If you are in doubt, we can guide you on what you should be doing. We may also provide assistive devices, such as walkers, crutches and braces which may be needed for mobility.

Rehabilitation after a motor vehicle accident can be long and requires some effort from the patient. So it is imperative that you get in touch with us quickly.