Recovery after a Motor Vehicle Accident, MVA varies case-by-case. What is MVA? A MVA refers to a Car Accident  The severity of the accident has minimal bearing on how someone feels afterward. I have seen patients with minor car accident injuries from rollover accidents, such as mild hip pain. I have also seen patients from minor fender benders that caused serious injuries and they endured pain for months or even years following.

If you have sustained car accident injuries, the insurance of the person “At fault” for the collision will cover the cost of any care you may need. Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) injuries are usually treated with physical therapy from an outpatient orthopedic setting. To learn more specifics that can occur click here.

MVA doctors are typically your primary physician, but some doctors are more familIar than others with how MVA claims work. It is recommended that you see your doctor immediately following a car accident to be evaluated. MVA pain following a car accident you should seek medical attention, but if you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical attention immediately:

• If you were in a high speed accident (>60 mph), rollover accident, or you were ejected from your vehicle, you should be evaluated by a doctor
• You have car accident head injuries, or symptoms
• Nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness, fainting, etc.; anything that does not feel right with your head that is new or different go see a doctor IMMEDIATELY.
• You have car accident back injuries, car accident neck injuries, or symptoms of either
• Numbness or tingling in your arms and/or legs that is new; this is cause for concern and should be assessed by a doctor
• You cannot walk; regardless of the reason, pain, dizziness, incoordination, whatever it is, if you cannot walk, you need medical attention
• If you cannot turn your head at least 45 degrees, you will need an x-ray; all physical therapists are trained in the Canadian C-Spine Rules – this is a well-studied decision-making tool establishing when people need to undergo an x-ray on their neck following traumatic neck injuries
• If following your accident, you now feel like you cannot move a part of your body, seek medical attention right away

If the doctor clears you of serious injuries (i.e. fracture, ligament instability), you should seek auto accident physical therapy as soon as that afternoon. Delaying treatment will allow the muscles to further tighten and spasm. The sooner you receive physical therapy to offset this muscle guarding, the sooner and more completely your body will heal.

I wish EVERYONE knew the following recommendations that come from the Neck Pain Clinical Practice Guidelines established by the Orthopedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association [1]:

1. Patients who perform exercises early in their recovery do better than those whose dominant rehabilitation strategy involves the use of a cervical collar.

2. Early return to normal, non-provocative, pre-accident activities leads to faster recovery.

3. Recovery from Whiplash has a Good Prognosis with conservative care.

4. A positive attitude is important in your recovery – I’m not kidding. Research says that feeling like you’re not going to get better leads to you actually not getting better following a car accident. Check negative attitudes at the door so it doesn’t get in the way of your recovery!

For more benefits of physical therapy after a car accident, click here.

Depending on the severity of the accident, auto accident physical therapy will initially involve symptom management and treatment techniques focused on reducing and relieving pain. This involves decreasing muscle spasms and restoring normal muscle length.  As you improve, movement is encouraged, then strengthening. Gradual return to previous activities is guided. We will manage progressions to ensure proper healing and restoration of strength.

Don’t put your recovery on hold, because the sooner you receive physical therapy, the sooner and more completely your body will heal. If you are in too much pain after a car accident to drive to treatment, you may be a good candidate for our mobile physical therapy services. Click the button below to schedule an appointment with a physical therapist today.

COVID-19 has presented many challenges to health care. With your health as our top priority, we are following all guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Physical Therapy Dynamix (PT Dynamix) was founded out of a passion for providing direct access care to all patients in need.

Now, you do not have to leave the safety and comfort of your home to receive outpatient physical therapy. PT Dynamix offers in home Outpatient Mobile Physical Therapy and Telehealth Physical Therapy in Renton, Bellevue, Seattle, and more. We can even help you find a personal protection attorney following your accident. Click the button below to schedule your appointment today.

1. Childs JD, Cleland JA, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2008;38(9):A1-34.