Motor Vehicle Accident Physical Therapy in Brampton
At least 10% of motor vehicle collision survivors who have sustained a physical injury experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD may not be apparent immediately after an accident, but can be recurring over the years following if proper treatment is not followed. Those suffering from PTSD experience:
PTSD following an accident has been linked directly to the physical aspect of the crash, and chances of developing it grow in likelihood if your physical pain is not treated immediately. At Physio Active One, we're aware of these statistics and we stress to current and potential patients the importance of immediate care following an accident.
Watch Your Symptoms
A common occurrence after a car accident is the delay of symptoms. You may not feel anything until hours, days or even a week after your accident. Then, it hits you like a ton of bricks.
You may assume that intermittent pain is less severe, however this is not the case. Intermittent pain is just as serious as chronic pain and should be attended to by a doctor or physical therapist immediately.
You will also begin to experience soreness and reduced flexibility. Especially if you have suffered whiplash, you may not be able to move your neck at all.
These slow-building injuries, which occur when you think you were unharmed, are equally as stressful as immediate and acute injuries.
Chronic Pain
Pain from an accident can last days, weeks, months or even years. It becomes chronic when it persists beyond three months, when healing should be complete. Many learn to live with it, but this is unnecessary and you certainly do not have to suffer alone.
How does chronic pain feel? It may have continued for so long that you can no longer identify the source. It can seem like everything hurts everywhere. The pain at this point has a mind of its own. Thinking about the pain you're feeling makes it worse and so avoidance techniques are often used, resulting only in anxiety, fatigue and depression.
In Brampton, we're happy to help you at any stage of your recovery. While it is best to see a therapist as quickly as possible, not everyone is aware of this necessity. If you waited too long, it's not your fault.
When experiencing chronic pain it is important to not blame yourself, but to take ownership of your recovery and the fact that it is possible. Through education, strength, flexibility and mobility therapy, your therapist will work with you to develop the best strategy for your condition.
Keeping up your normal activities and avoiding excess bed rest may be difficult at first, but the more you exercise and practice a routine, the better you will feel.
Make an appointment with Physio Active One today and a qualified therapist will identify the reasons behind your chronic pain and lay the groundwork for your pain management and eventual recovery.