This is why many people choose to get physical therapy after an accident because they want to fully recover and feel like their body is back to normal again. Finding a clinic that can prescribe the best physical therapy exercises can ensure that you manage your pain better and that you also gain back all your movement. 

Car Accident Injuries

The types of injuries you have and the amount of pain will depend on the accident you had and how it impacted you. Some of the most common car accident injuries include:

• Shoulder pain 

• Whiplash

• Back pain

• Neck pain 

• Headaches 

• Knee pain 

Not only can car accidents leave you injured, but they can also leave you disabled. Some of the injuries might not cause you to have serious symptoms or pain until years after the accident. 

This is why it’s important to get physical therapy as soon as the accident happens so that you can avoid worse problems in the future. 

Best Physical Therapies For After a Car Accident 

There are many different physical therapy exercises to choose from and a physical therapist can determine which ones are best for you based on your injuries and how you are feeling. You might also need to find a specialist depending on where you got injured and how long you have had the injury. 

Make sure you visit a physical therapist as soon as possible so they can determine which exercises will be most beneficial to you. 

In the meantime, here are the best therapy exercises you can do at home. 

Side Bending 

This is one of the best exercises for neck pain. It should decrease any tightness you feel and also ensure that your neck is mobile. You can do side bending exercises while you are sitting down or lying down. 

Most people prefer to do it while they lie on their backs. Then, move your head to the right and bring the right ear as close as you can to the right shoulder. Try to stay in the position for 20 seconds and then do the same thing on the left side. 

Repeat the exercise as needed throughout the day. 

Chin Tucks 

Most people do this exercise if they have had an injury to the cervical spine. Most people either do this exercise while they are sitting down or lying down. If you want to do it lying down, look up at the ceiling and then move the chin towards the chest and hold the chin down to the neck for 5 seconds. You can repeat the exercise 20 times. 

If you want to do the exercise while seated, sit upright and then look forward. Move your head backward and tuck the chin into the neck. Hold the position for 5 seconds and repeat about 10-15 times. 

Side-to-Side Rotation of the Head 

This exercise is also meant to reduce tightness in the neck and ensure that the neck is mobile. The best way to do it is to lie on your back and then rotate the chin toward the right shoulder. You can use your hand to pull the head closer to the neck so you can get a better stretch. 

Try to stay in this position for about 20 seconds and then repeat the same thing on the left side. Aim to do it around 3 to 5 times a day for the best results. 

You can also do the exercise while sitting if you want. Make sure you have a good sitting posture and then rotate the chin to the right shoulder. Use your hand to move the head closer to the shoulder and hold it for 20 seconds. Then repeat the exercise on the left side. 

Some Other Exercises to Consider 

There are also a number of other different exercise you can consider doing:

• Posterior pelvic tilts 

• Lower trunk rotations 

• Hamstring stretches 

• Neck stretches such as the deep neck flexor activation 

Physical Therapy After a Car Accident 

There are a number of different reasons why you might want to choose to get physical therapy after a car accident. Here are some of the main advantages. 

Improved Recovery 

When you get physical therapy after a car accident, it can increase the recovery time. This means you can return to your daily activities faster since you have a faster recovery time from headaches, migraines, pain, and stiffness. 

Prevent Long Term Damage 

Before beginning physical therapy, the doctor will do a physical exam so that they can see which treatment plan will be the best for you to help you overcome your injuries. Your treatment plan will include many different things to improve your strength and flexibility. They will also show you a number of exercises to help you be more mobile. 

Helps You to Avoid Surgery 

Sometimes car accidents can lead to injuries where you might need to have surgery. This is why it’s important to meet with a physical therapist because they can determine if you need surgery and when you might need it. 

When you get physical therapy, you can also avoid surgeries in the future which can save you a lot of money and recovery time. 

Improves Your Quality of Life 

Sometimes injuries from a car accident can decrease your quality of life, especially if it affects your ability to socialize and work. When you undergo physical therapy, you can learn many exercises and activities that help you to get your independence back. 

The Bottom Line 

Physical therapy is an excellent idea for anyone who has been in a car accident and suffered injuries. You can learn a number of different exercises to help you be more flexible and gain your strength back. While most physical therapists will accept insurance claims, Denver truck accident attorneys advise that there are still ways to obtain adequate medical coverage through settlements if the accident is a case of personal injury. 

You can also improve your confidence and begin to recover quickly from the problems that often come with surgeries.