Auto Accident & Personal Injury
Car accident physical therapy treats the pain, stiffness and lost motion that follow a crash, and is worth starting soon, even if you feel only sore at first. Joint Effort Physical Therapy provides personal injury physical therapy for auto accident injury in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
What a crash does to the body
The sudden jolt of a collision can injure several areas at once.
Whiplash and neck pain
The head snaps forward and back. Whiplash is the most common crash injury, and it can cause pain and limit movement. See neck pain for the details. Neck pain after a car accident is often whiplash, and whiplash treatment starts with gentle movement and builds from there.
Back pain
Back pain after a car accident can come from muscle strain, a joint or a herniated disc. See back pain.
Shoulder injuries
A seat belt or a gripped steering wheel can strain the shoulder. See shoulder pain.
Head injury and headaches
A blow to the head can cause a concussion with dizziness and headaches. Our concussion page covers it.
Why waiting is risky when the pain seems mild
Symptoms do not always show up right away. Pain, reduced motion, headaches or stiffness can build over days. Starting physical therapy after a car accident sooner helps you keep pain down, improve flexibility and strength, and recover faster. It can also catch problems that might otherwise turn into long-term pain.
You can also benefit from physical therapy for an old car accident injury, even if the crash was years ago.
How we treat an injury from a crash
Manual therapy and exercise
Manual therapy eases stiff joints and muscles, and therapeutic exercise restores strength and motion.
Neck stabilization
Cervical stabilization exercise trains the deep neck muscles that hold your head steady.
Dizziness after a crash
Dizziness or vertigo can follow a crash, and vestibular rehabilitation retrains the balance system. See also vertigo and BPPV.
Dry needling
Dry needling can ease tight, painful muscle in the neck and back.
Billing, claims and your attorney
Who pays after a crash depends on your state and your policy. It may be your own auto insurance medical coverage, PIP physical therapy coverage or MedPay, your health insurance, or a letter of protection set up with your attorney. Call us before your first visit and we will tell you what we can work with and what to bring. You can also look at insurance and billing.
If a claim is involved, your physical therapist documents your condition and progress in notes that you can share with your attorney or adjuster.
Seek emergency care first if after a crash you have
Physical therapy is not the first stop for serious injuries.
- Loss of consciousness, confusion or a severe headache
- Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
- Chest or belly pain, or trouble breathing
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
Call 911 or go to the ER. Once a doctor has cleared you, we can begin rehab.
Auto accident injuries care in Hot Springs, Arkansas
Joint Effort Physical Therapy treats Auto accident injuries at our Hot Springs clinic, 1880 Airport Rd., Suite C. Call us if you are hurting after a car accident.
Not sure whether your plan needs a referral? Call us. As a courtesy, we verify your health benefits before you arrive.
Meet the people who treat you on our team page.