When To Stop Physical Therapy After A Car Accident

If you’ve recently been injured in an auto accident in New York, physical therapy is an important part of the recovery process because it can help any injury you face when it comes to car accidents. 

While soft tissue injuries can take up to eight weeks or longer to fully heal, more severe injuries may take longer, and our physical therapists are experts when it comes to car injuries. Here’s what you need to know about the different factors that affect how long you’ll be in physical therapy.

The Severity of the Accident

Although physical therapy is an effective option for physical recovery after both minor and major accidents, you can expect a longer treatment period if you’ve been in a serious accident. While less severe accidents can cause injuries such as whiplash and sprains, more serious car crashes can lead to:

• Broken bones
• Herniated disks
• Reduced movement
• Partial or complete paralysis

It’s important to visit a professional physical therapist even if you don’t think that you’ve been seriously injured. Not only can a car accident therapist help you manage your symptoms, but they can also improve your flexibility and strength, leading you on the path to recovery.

The Type of Car Accident Injury

Another factor that affects the length of the recovery is the type of injury you’ve sustained. Whiplash, one of the most common injuries, occurs when the force of the accident causes your neck to violently jerk forward and backward, making your neck muscles extend beyond their range of motion. Although it differs from person to person, neck pain and whiplash injuries respond well with physical therapy. After about a few months of physiotherapy, you can expect to have a full range of motion in your neck.

However, if you’ve suffered a more serious injury, you may need more time in a physical therapy clinic to fully recover. A car accident therapist will work closely with you to restore strength, flexibility, and eventually mobility. 

Previous Injuries

If you have a previous injury that has left behind scar tissue, especially in a similar area as your new injury, this can slow down the healing process. However, you can take comfort in the fact that physical therapy can help heal old injuries just as effectively as new ones.

Your physical therapist won’t just treat your past injuries. They will also strengthen the muscles surrounding the injury to ensure that you won’t suffer from the same pain again. 

How Do You Know When To Stop Physical Therapy?

Although your car accident therapist will help you figure out when it’s time to stop treatment, there are a few indications that you can look for. For example, if your pain is no longer holding you back from completing everyday activities and you notice an increase in your range of motion, you’re likely ready to stop physical therapy. 

Car Accident Doctor in New York

In addition, if your therapist is confident that you can maintain your results with at-home exercises just as effectively as you would in the physical therapy clinic, you’re probably ready to stop therapy. Your therapist will guide you through the process and help you transition back to normal life.

Physical Therapy in New York

If you were injured in an accident and are looking for an experienced physical therapist in New York, our team of skilled professionals listed in the Accident Help Zone is here to help you select and make an appointment with the right physical therapy clinic near you. Get help now; call us toll-free at (888) 412-8488 to learn more about our highly specialized physiotherapy treatment programs.