What is a Car Accident?
A car accident involves any incident where a car or truck collides with another object. If you have been in an auto accident, no matter how minor or who is at fault, seek immediate care from a doctor or nurse practitioner. These medical providers have the best skills to make a thorough diagnosis and order any necessary diagnostic testing. Do not downplay the seriousness of your accident; it is common for pain to appear as many as 2-3 days later! When needed, attending car accident physical therapy or hand therapy is extremely important to your recovery.
Your Choice for Car Accident Injury Rehabilitation
If your doctor wants you to begin car accident therapy, the law in Oregon says you can see the physical therapist or hand/occupational therapist of your choice. SportsCare Physical Therapists and Armworks Hand Therapists have extensive training and experience treating patients who have been injured in car accidents. Our therapists are highly skilled, knowledgeable, and dedicated to helping you achieve optimal recovery.
Causes of Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents are unfortunate events that can occur in a variety of ways. The kind of car accident that you are involved in may contribute to the type(s) and severity of your injuries. Common types of motor vehicle accidents that cause injuries include:
- Head-on collisions
- Rear-end collisions
- Side-impact collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- Rollover accidents
- Merging accidents
- Hit and run accidents
- Single/multiple vehicle accidents
- On-the-job auto accidents
Car Accident Injuries We Treat
SportsCare Physical Therapy and Armworks Hand Therapy are experts in auto accident recovery. After an auto accident, physical therapy and hand therapy can help you manage pain, reduce stiffness, and ensure that your injuries are healing correctly. Our therapists frequently treat these common motor vehicle accident injuries:
Car Accident Injuries Treatment
SportsCare and Armworks understand that being injured in a car accident can be a scary and traumatic event. We strive to make your rehabilitation experience as comfortable as possible. After a thorough, professional evaluation with your physical or hand therapist, they will develop a treatment program to best meet your individual recovery needs. Your car accident therapy may include a variety of methods and techniques, including:
- Manual Therapy
- Therapeutic Exercises
- Treatment/instructions to reduce inflammation
- Education for injury prevention
- Home Exercise Program
- Extracorporeal shockwave therapy
- Spinal Traction
- AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill
- Unweighted Treadmill System
- Aquatic Pool Therapy
- Intermittent Compression with Cold (Game Ready and Normatec)
- Electrical stimulation, ultrasound, cold/heat modalities
- Kinesio Tape
- Joint Mobilization/Stabilization
- Balance/Gait Training
- Whirlpool
Frequently Asked Questions
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How will my car accident symptoms progress?
Symptoms can be different because of the type of accident you are in or how you were sitting in the car when the accident happened. Symptoms will stick around longer and get worse the longer you wait to get help.
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When should I seek car accident physical therapy or hand therapy?
Auto accident symptoms and how they progress can be quite different. This is because there are many things that can happen during the accident itself. The best thing to do is to go to your doctor or urgent care as soon as you can to get an examination. It is important to start treatment right away to lessen pain or soreness that might show up 2-3 days after the car accident happened.
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How long will car accident therapy typically last?
Usually, the symptoms are the worst the first week then they start getting better with treatment from your doctor and your physical or hand therapist. Muscle strains usually limit you for 4-6 weeks, broken bones limit you for 8-10 weeks and ligament sprains can be limiting for 3 months or more.
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When can I return to work after a car accident injury?
The answer depends on what type of work you do and what was injured during your auto accident. For example, if you work in an office you are typically able to return to work sooner than someone working construction. You need to get a release to return to work from your doctor. Some of the things they look for to decide this are: how much pain you are in, if you are on pain medication, and if your broken bones are healed.
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When can I return to playing sports after a car accident injury?
Returning to sports is based a lot on what sport you play and what was injured during the auto accident. A typical healing time would be 1-3 months. If your injuries happen on a part of your body that is not an important part of the sport (like hurting your elbow and you want to return to running) then it will be quicker than if it was something you need for the sport (like hurting your knee and going back to running). It is best to consult with your doctor, physical or hand therapist to help work out the best timeline.
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How can I sleep after a car accident injury?
If you have whiplash, the most important consideration about sleep is your head position and using a supportive pillow. If you hit your head then you want your bedroom to have less sound and light than normal to allow your brain a chance to rest. If you hurt your back, arms, or legs in the accident then your sleep position might need to be different, and you may need extra pillows than normal for support.
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Does SportsCare and Armworks take my insurance?
Here is a list of the insurance plans accepted by SportsCare Physical Therapy and Armworks Hand Therapy. If you are unsure of your coverage or if your plan is accepted, please contact one of our offices. We are happy to assist you in learning about your benefits.
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Where are SportsCare and Armworks offices located?
SportsCare Physical Therapy and Armworks Hand Therapy have convenient locations in Gresham, NE Portland, Clackamas, and Beaverton. In addition, Armworks has a location in Lake Oswego and SportsCare has office in Sandy. Location specific contact information can be found here: SportsCare Physical Therapy Locations and Armworks Hand Therapy Locations.