Since the 1960s, the most common solutions to managing chronic pain have focused on medical consumerism, also known as patient empowerment. This politically charged consumer rights movement, while concerned with the right to be safe, informed, to make choices, and to be heard, also advocates for the right to more pain medication. Over the decades, this practice of self-managed care escalated into ineffective pain management, eventually leading to the 2016 opioid crisis. Since then, doctors have been exploring pain management options with their patients to combat the widespread misuse of drugs for pain management.

As the healthcare system began to reexamine its approach to pain management, healthier options became available. One successful strategy is reducing the level of analgesics to the lowest necessary level and implementing a physical therapy regimen. This combination allows the body’s natural healing to occur unimpeded by the unnecessary use of opioids. Through education, decreasing analgesics and increasing physical therapy gained notoriety.

What Physical Therapists Do

Physical therapists are licensed clinical professionals. They have completed an accredited physical therapist education program, earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, and passed a national licensure examination. They coordinate with other professionals in the health care system, such as physicians, psychologists, and social workers. They are powerful warriors against the war on chronic pain. Their organized arsenal includes three steps. First, they determine the cause and impact of the pain. This includes determining risk factors such as disease history of diabetes and arthritis, cognitive and psychological factors, negative beliefs about one’s condition, and a sedentary lifestyle. Second, they define goals with the patient, and third, they establish an individualized treatment program. The resulting methods are different for each patient. Techniques may include therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, patient education, stress management, sleep management, and pain neuroscience education. The physical therapist develops and administers your plan. It’s personal. They make sure you are progressing and modify your plan as needed.

Chronic pain stemming from low back pain, before and after surgery, hip and knee osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal conditions has shown significant improvement with management and prevention through restorative therapy, a purposeful examination of not only the symptoms of pain but also the movement patterns contributing to it. This multidisciplinary strategy promotes optimal physical function. It is a powerful tool to combat chronic pain while bypassing the unwanted effects of opioid usage.

Everett Physical Therapist

Physical therapy treatments focused on managing symptoms have had positive effects on fibromyalgia patients. Based on aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening and stretching positively impacted pain intensity, quality of life, stiffness, fatigue, and physical function. In addition, resistance exercises, aquatic exercises, massage, and therapy sessions with electrical currents have demonstrated a reduction in chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Untreated, chronic pain can continue for months or years. Physical therapy provides an effective, non-invasive, non-opioid solution for lifelong pain management. Call our office in Everett to learn more about our physical therapy programs or contact us here.

Knee Injury

Knee injuries commonly occur through activities such as sudden twists, improper landing after jumps, overuse during repetitive motions like running, or direct impact during sports-related collisions.

Straight Leg Raises: Lie on your back, lift one leg straight up, and hold for a few seconds.

Quad Sets: Sit or lie down, tighten the thigh muscles, and hold for 5-10 seconds.

Heel Slides: Gently slide your heel up towards your buttocks while lying on your back.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries often result from repetitive overhead movements, improper lifting techniques, sudden impacts in contact sports, and overexertion during weightlifting or activities that strain the rotator cuff muscles.

Pendulum Stretch: Lean over a table, allowing your arm to hang down, and gently swing it in circular motions.

External Rotation: Use a resistance band to strengthen external rotator muscles.

Wall Push-Ups: Stand facing a wall and perform modified push-ups to strengthen the shoulders.

Low Back Pain

Common causes of lower back pain include poor posture, lifting heavy objects with improper technique, sedentary lifestyles, muscle imbalances, and conditions like herniated discs or spinal stenosis, often exacerbated by factors such as obesity or aging.

Cat-Cow Stretch: Get on your hands and knees, arch your back up and down in a flowing motion.

Pelvic Tilts: Lie on your back, tighten your abdominal muscles, and tilt your pelvis upward.

Bridge Exercise: Lift your hips off the ground while lying on your back, engaging your core and glutes.

Rotator Cuff Injury

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons within the shoulder joint, crucial for stabilizing the upper arm bone in the shoulder socket and maintaining stability during arm movements in various directions. Rotator cuff injuries are frequently caused by repetitive overhead motions, such as those in baseball pitching or swimming, sudden jerking movements, and degenerative changes associated with aging. Additionally, rotator cuff tears can occur gradually or suddenly due to factors like wear-and-tear or injuries, ranging from partial to full tears in the tendon.

Internal Rotation: Use a resistance band for internal rotation exercises.

Scapular Squeezes: Sit or stand and squeeze your shoulder blades together.

Rotator Cuff Stretch: Gently stretch the rotator cuff by bringing your arm across your body.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains commonly result from missteps, uneven surfaces, or sudden changes in direction, particularly during activities such as running, jumping, or sports that involve rapid lateral movements, leading to overstretching or tearing of the ligaments.

Toe Taps: While seated, tap your toes on the floor repeatedly to improve ankle flexibility.

Calf Raises: Stand on a flat surface and lift your heels off the ground, engaging your calf muscles.

Alphabet Exercises: Trace the alphabet with your toes to improve ankle range of motion.

Remember to consult with your physical therapist before starting any home exercises, as they can provide personalized recommendations based on your specific injury and recovery progress. It’s essential to perform these exercises with proper form and within the prescribed limits to avoid exacerbating the injury.

Physical Therapy in Everett, Wa

Do you live in the Snohomish County area? Our Everett clinic is your full, one-stop shop for injury rehabilitation. We examine you to make a custom treatment plan that may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, massage therapy or a combination of them.

Sources:

medlineplus.gov
mayoclinic.org
openai.com

Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions and lubricates the areas between tendons, muscles, and bones. It commonly affects the joints, causing pain, swelling, and limited mobility.

Bursitis Causes

Bursitis is typically caused by repetitive movements or positions that put excessive pressure or friction on the bursa, leading to irritation and inflammation. Some common causes of bursitis include:

Repetitive motions: Activities that involve repetitive motions or positions can contribute to bursitis. Examples include throwing a baseball, gardening, painting, or kneeling for extended periods.

Joint overuse: Overusing a joint or placing excessive stress on it can lead to bursitis. This can occur from activities such as running, jumping, or participating in high-impact sports.

Injury or trauma: Direct injury or trauma to a joint can cause bursitis. This can happen due to a fall, impact, or prolonged pressure on the affected area.

Treating Bursitis

The treatment of bursitis typically involves a combination of self-care measures and medical interventions. Here are some common approaches to treating bursitis:

Rest and immobilization: Resting the affected joint and avoiding activities that exacerbate symptoms can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Immobilization may involve the use of slings, braces, or splints.

Ice and heat therapy: Applying cold compresses to the affected area can help reduce swelling and pain. Heat therapy, such as warm compresses, can also provide relief and promote blood flow to the area.

Pain management: Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, a healthcare professional may prescribe stronger pain medications.

Physical therapy: Physical therapy may be recommended to strengthen the muscles around the affected joint, improve range of motion, and promote healing. Therapeutic exercises and techniques can help reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence. Those in the Seattle area or in Snohomish County can come to Everett Spine & Rehab for physical therapy as well as chiropractic care.

Injections: In severe cases of bursitis, a healthcare professional may recommend corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. These injections are administered directly into the bursa.

Aspiration: In certain situations, excess fluid may be removed from the bursa through a procedure called aspiration. This can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling.

Preventing Bursitis

Preventing bursitis involves taking certain precautions and adopting healthy habits to reduce the risk of developing the condition. Here are some strategies that can help prevent bursitis:

Avoid repetitive motions: Minimize repetitive movements or positions that put excessive stress on the joints. If your work or activities involve repetitive actions, try to take regular breaks or modify your technique to reduce the strain on the affected areas.

Use proper body mechanics: Practice good posture and body mechanics during activities, whether it’s at work, exercise, or daily tasks. Maintain proper alignment, use ergonomic equipment, and avoid overloading your joints.

Warm up and stretch: Before engaging in physical activities or exercises, warm up your muscles with light aerobic activities and perform dynamic stretching. This helps prepare your body for the demands of the activity and reduces the risk of injury.

Gradual progression: When starting a new exercise program or increasing the intensity or duration of your workouts, do so gradually. This allows your body to adapt and prevents overuse injuries, including bursitis.

Use protective equipment: If you participate in sports or activities that carry a risk of joint injury, use appropriate protective equipment, such as knee pads, elbow guards, or wrist braces. This can help cushion and support the joints, reducing the risk of bursitis.

Maintain a healthy weight: Excess weight places additional stress on the joints, increasing the risk of bursitis. Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise to reduce the strain on your joints.

Cross-train and vary activities: Engaging in a variety of activities and cross-training can help distribute the workload among different muscle groups and joints. This reduces the repetitive stress on specific areas and decreases the likelihood of developing bursitis.

Listen to your body: Pay attention to any discomfort or pain in your joints. If you experience persistent or worsening symptoms, take a break from the activity and consult with a healthcare professional. Ignoring warning signs can lead to further injury and the development of bursitis.

By incorporating these preventive measures into your daily routine, you can reduce the risk of bursitis and maintain the health and function of your joints. If you have specific concerns or a history of bursitis, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare professional or physical therapist for personalized advice.

Sources

Openai.com

https://www.webmd.com/Pain-management/arthritis-bursitis

Is having back pain after a workout ever ok?

Lower back pain is normal and, in some cases, needed as the muscle grows in strength. Leada Malek, C.S.C.S, a board-certified sports specialist and physical therapist, told Shape that you could expect to feel tightness in the back after exercises solely focused on building muscles, such as weightlifting, kettlebell swings, and barbell squats.

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness or DOMS usually causes back pain. DOMS causes pain within the muscle that doesn’t occur until a workout commences.

Symptoms of DOMS are:

• Decrease in mobility from the pain
• Tenderness when the muscle is touched
• Inflammation
• Decrease in muscle strength

Pain caused by DOMS should last no longer than three days after the workout, with interval spikes of pain throughout those three days. Also, symptoms may not present immediately after an exercise, lasting 12 to 24 hours.

When Should You Be Concerned About Back Pain?

You need to visit a chiropractor if your back pain doesn’t disappear within 72 hours after the workout. By this time, any discomfort or pain should have subsided. However, if the pain remains, that would indicate a more severe problem than delayed onset muscle soreness.

Another way to recognize if a doctor visit is needed is by assessing how the back soreness affects your sleep and other everyday activities. Both are huge red flags that the discomfort in your back is abnormal and needs a chiropractor to evaluate it.

If you’re in the Seattle/Snohomish County, be sure to visit Everett Spine and Rehab—we offer chiropractic care as well as physical therapy and massage therapy.

How To Prevent & Treat Back Injuries From Workouts

The best way to prevent back injuries is to have a good recovery plan after the workout. Incorporating a recovery exercise after all your workouts, such as light yoga poses, aids in a healthy workout recovery.

Passive And Active Recovery Methods

Using slower movements to recover after a highly intensive workout might seem right. But, passive ways of recovering after a workout have not shown a difference from active ones in improving or preventing DOMS. Athletes have to work through muscle soreness, as a study of active recovery showed in female soccer players. Don’t think your recovery workout has to be slow and drawn out.

Both active and passive workout recovery methods provide the muscle with the same benefits as the others.

Foam Rollers

Another way is to use a foam roller, especially if you return to exercise after a more sedentary lifestyle. Foam rollers reduce pain and can help prevent DOMS. Also, it could improve your performance as it did in this study.

If you experience DOMS, you don’t have to quit exercising altogether. You should, however, refrain from a more harsh workout until your back is fully recovered. Instead, remember to pace yourself and ease back into your workouts slowly.

Psoas syndrome is a condition characterized by the irritation or inflammation of the psoas muscle, a deep muscle located in the lower back and connecting to the hips. It can lead to lower back pain, hip discomfort, and limited mobility. This syndrome often results from prolonged sitting, poor posture, or overuse of the muscle, and is typically managed through rest, stretching, and physical therapy.

Psoas Syndrome Symptoms

Psoas syndrome symptoms can include:

• Chronic lower back pain
• Pain when sitting or getting up
• Restricted hip socket
• Lower back tension
• Difficulty standing in an upright position
• Pelvic pain

You might feel muscle tightness that can make moving difficult and painful. Aside from the pain, a tight psoas can result in poor posture, scoliosis, restricted breathing, lower spine stress fracture, and difficulty standing upright. Muscle “tightness” may feel like you have trouble moving normally or you might feel pain as well. Certain factors can result in tight psoas, including sitting and being sedentary for long periods. If you have to sit while working for hours you should get up from time to time so you can stretch and move around.

How is Psoas Syndrome Treated With Physical Therapy?

Your physical therapist will be able to assign exercises like stretching and lower-impact dynamic exercises. In the meantime, you should try not to sit for lengthy periods of time and always have back support; it’s recommended that you move around at least once an hour. If you are a runner or power walker, you should alternate workouts so you don’t strain your muscle. The main takeaway is to destress and relax by getting a massage, enjoying a hot soak, and support your back when needed.

Physical therapy exercises are designed to strengthen and stretch the psoas muscle and allow your body to heal. It’s important that you get the help of a professional who can guide you through these exercises, otherwise, you may hurt yourself and increase your injury. Your physical therapist may include ultrasound, manipulative treatment, and possibly even muscle injections.

Get the Pain Relief You Need in Everett, Wa

People with psoas syndrome can benefit from gentle exercises and stretching to provide pain relief, strengthen their hip muscles, and increase mobility. Your physical therapist can give you several exercises to incorporate into your daily routine. If you think you have psoas issues, contact a physical therapist to get some muscle relief techniques. For those in Everett, please reach out to us today: 425-347-8614.

Sources:

openai.com

It is crucial for a casualty victim to be evaluated for physical therapy as soon as possible after a car accident because severe symptoms of body trauma can bring additional pain and mobility issues as time progresses.

Symptoms of possible injury to be aware of are:

• Neck, arm, upper back stiffness
• Numbing in arms, neck, hands, and upper back
• Nausea, headache, and dizziness
• Hip, lower back, and knee pain
• Foot, ankle, toe pain or numbness
• Any ache or pain not previously felt before the accident

Multiple variations of these symptoms can contribute to an automobile accident victim’s pain or mobility problems. A casualty victim receiving the appropriate care can limit future suffering.

It is important for the injured person to receive a one-on-one and head-to-toe analysis with a specialist to evaluate and prepare a custom treatment program. Each individual involved with any accident is unique and requires an exclusive path to healing.

Different Methods of Physical Therapy

Physical therapists or chiropractors may incorporate different methods into a program to treat a car accident injury.

Manual therapy may be used by a therapist to adjust and mobilize joints. This type of therapy will decrease scar tissue, reduce inflammation, and allow the tissue surrounding the joints to heal as quickly as possible.

A therapist often uses specialized equipment to implement heat, cold, and electrotherapy to the affected area. This also reduces inflammation and allows more movement and less pressure to the affected area.

Other physical therapy treatments may include acupuncture, ultrasound, aquatic therapy, and intramuscular stimulation. The purpose of these techniques is to help relieve muscle tightness and spasms to decrease recovery time.

The therapist may discuss and coach custom exercises to allow patient control and daily therapy. Exercising can reduce a patient’s joint pain, build muscle strength, and maintain flexibility of the spine.

A therapist may also develop specialized or customized braces or slings appropriate to support the patient’s affected area. Sometimes the added support relieves the pressure and allows faster healing of the patient’s affected joint.

Automobile accident victims need to be worry-free about lasting symptoms and their future health. Some insurance companies are limited in their coverage of an auto accident injury, so an accurate accounting of needs following an accident is imperative.

Getting at the root cause of a patient’s injury as quickly as possible is where a physical therapist’s expertise will be invaluable. Not only will a patient’s healing process of strengthening or stabilizing the affected area begin, but the therapist will be able to assist in efficiently managing any future pain or dysfunction resulting from the accident.

Please contact Everett Spine & Rehab for your car accident rehabilitation: 425-347-8614.

While many folks today are telecommuting if they can due to the global health crisis, some people still have job sites or a cubical to commute to for work. Companies are supposed to adhere to safety protocols and training but at the end of the day, things still can happen. And during this trying time some companies are able to help workers where they are after an injury, and come to them.

When you get injured at work no matter how minor it is, it could cause serious problems later on.  From slipping on a wet floor and hurting your legs and feet to having something falls off a shelf onto your head in a stock room, your cubicle cabinet or even at a job site. There are also incidences where workers could be let into a building too early after chemicals are sprayed—you could inhale toxic substances which are extremely hazardous to your health.

Some types of common workplace injuries caused by:

• Slipping
• Tripping
• Falling
• Caught in machinery
• Car accidents
• Explosions
• Fires
• Struck by an object
• Repetitive motion injuries or over exertion from tasks
• Toxic air related injuries (older buildings can have mold issues, lead paint—also spraying chemicals in or around the building)
• Blood born pathogens (occupational hazards mostly, like in healthcare settings, usually)

Report it, always and get to an emergency clinic or local doctor ASAP.

No matter what injury or incident that occurs that can be a health hazard, you should always report it as soon as possible to your supervisor or someone on duty.  And of course, it’s even better if you have a witness. Even if you feel okay after the injury happens, you should still go to an emergency clinic, emergency room at the nearest hospital or your own doctor when it happens.  You need to get an evaluation to see if you need treatment or other assistance from a specialist doctor or a physical therapist.

You may need physical therapy to improve your injury

This way, you’ll have covered all your bases if something should happen later to your health.  Sometimes day, weeks, even months later an injury could get worse or you become sick in some other way.  While many injuries may seem minor, however, they could later on need surgery or some kind of rehab with physical therapy intervention—and many times this kind of program should start fairly soon after the injury.

Do you really need physical therapy (PT) and what is looked at?

While not every injury needs physical therapy, you may need it depending on your injury sustained—a doctor or specialist may recommend you seeing someone for assistance to get better.  When you have a muskoskeletal injury a variety of items are looked at:

• Bones
• Ligaments
• Joints
• Nerves
• Muscles
• Vascular system

Typically, any injury or accident that affected your body—like your head, neck, lower back, legs, shoulders, arms, hands, knees, and feet, could potentially benefit from a PT program. There are PT specialists who work with issues such as office place safety and ergonomics as well, if your injury warrants this kind of assistance.

You may still need to see an orthopedic doctor or surgeon to better understand your injury.  While CT scans, X-rays, MRIs are effective at diagnosis, they are more hazardous to health.  Ultrasounds are being used more and are less invasive imagery for the patient and can many times be more effective; it does need to be done by an ultrasound technician with more muskoskeletal experience.

Also, if needed, based on your injury your PT group may offer speech therapy or other specific kinds of needs—but this may be out of the general PT scope and may lead you to need other kinds of therapy specialists.  Most of the time, the typical PT therapy involved some sort of issue with your legs, arms, and sometimes head, neck and shoulder injuries.

PT is designed to help you:

• Regain motion and movement in a limb, back, neck and more
• Regain and re-train strength and abilities in injured body part or organ
• Regain the ability to walk, run etc. — like you did before and use assistance (crutches / cane / walker / wheelchair)
• Hopefully avoid surgery (not all the time)

Everything depends on the injury sustained and how severe it is and if you would benefit from assistance at a PT clinic. Even if you don’t believe you need the help, for work and medical documentation it is best to listen to your doctor or specialist because sometimes even the smallest of injuries could require surgery.

Is PT all you will need for a workplace injury?

You may need surgery. Many times therapy is the only intervention you may need for your injury, if fairly minor. If you do need surgery, you will be a PT routine after the surgery. Essentially, you need help to fully re-learn how to use your limb or other issues that has been corrected by the surgery. There are some kinds of back injuries over time that develop, that PT is better than having surgery like, lower back issues from lower spinal stenosis.

Remember, always to report the injury you sustained at the workplace or job site immediately, if possible.  Always get medical help, so you can be properly evaluated and keep all medical records.

Remember–Everett Spine & Rehab also offers expert physical therapy services.

Possible Injuries

If your ribs hurt after a car accident, you’re likely suffering from one of two injuries: bruised ribs or broken ribs.

These are some of the most common injuries after a collision, and they usually occur if your chest suffers severe impact during the crash. Maybe you smashed into the steering wheel or dashboard, or maybe your seatbelt put significant pressure on your chest and ribcage as you slammed on the breaks.

Signs and Symptoms

Bruised and broken ribs have very similar symptoms, including the following:

• Tenderness and swearing around the injured area
• Pain when you breathe, cough, laugh or sneeze
• Pain when pressure is applied to the chest
• Muscles spasms in the chest

If you suffer from any of these symptoms, it is important to visit the doctor and get checked out right away. Remember, your ribcage protects your most vital organs – like your heart and lungs – and chest trauma can lead to very serious injury. Visit the doctor right away if you experience these symptoms after a car accident to check for your risk of injuries like a ruptured spleen, trauma to the blood vessels, or pneumothorax (a collapsed lung).

How To Heal: Everett Spine & Rehab

Unfortunately, a bruised or broken rib does not heal very quickly. Typically, it will take four to six weeks before your ribs will heal properly. Your doctor will likely tell you to ice the painful area, take over-the-counter pain medication if necessary, and get plenty of rest in the meantime.

However, going to a chiropractor or physical therapist can help you recover from your injuries a little faster. Your chiropractor might suggest exercises like lateral twists, swimming, or even deep breathing, which can help you maintain some level of activity and stay healthy while you wait for your body to heal naturally.

Of course, it is best to consult with your Everett chiropractor or Everett physical therapist, to make sure you don’t push yourself too far and hurt yourself even more. After a car accident (or any other significant injury), slow and steady is the way to recovery – and your chiropractor can help guarantee your safety as you get better.

There are many types of back surgeries and many levels of physical therapy. These services can range from reading care information in an educational leaflet to personally guided in-depth exercises. The level of support differs for each patient and type of surgery.

One of the most common back surgeries is lumbar spinal fusion. After lumbar spinal fusion for strength, range of motion, cardiovascular endurance, and patient education, physical therapy is necessary. Although anxiety due to pain may be high, early physical activity after surgery is encouraged. Research shows therapy focusing on the patient’s core and spinal muscles is vital for complete recovery from lumbar spinal fusion. In this case, treatment involves learning transfer techniques and neutral spine control exercises.

The necessity of physical therapy after back surgery has proven to aid healing and prevent failed surgeries. In addition, the process of helping increase flexibility by stretching the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that support the spinal column also aids in limiting the formation of internal scar tissue, preventing stiffness.

While planned movements and education are basic to physical therapy, they can also involve other components. For example, after lumbar surgery, one successful approach involving physical therapy is a cognitive-behavioral-based self-management approach. This adult lumbar spine surgery postoperative rehabilitation is called Changing Behavior through Physical Therapy (CBPT). This program successfully improved patient pain, disability, physical and mental health, and physical performance.

Traditionally, back surgery has been performed under general anesthesia. The patient is made to be unconscious and often awakes after surgery to a sense of disorientation, nausea, and vomiting. Surprisingly, a new approach called “awake spine surgery” has shown increased healing time with fewer adverse reactions. As the name implies, patients are not unconscious during surgery but are partially awake with regional anesthesia during the procedure. This approach is new and, so far, has shown promising results, particularly for patients who cannot tolerate general anesthesia. Some can even have a conversation during their procedure. In addition, this minimally invasive surgical approach provides faster healing time and easier participation in physical therapy.

Healing properly from back surgery is vital to assure proper functioning in the future. Although the most basic type of postoperative physical therapy is walking, your physical therapist will provide you with care for your own rehabilitative needs.

Come visit us for physical therapy for your back injury at Everett Spine and Rehab, in Washington state.

Ability to Get Back to Normal

A study published in Medicine (Baltimore) showed that a 4-week inpatient interdisciplinary program of physical therapy, occupational therapy, psychotherapy, and strength/endurance training helped car accident victims in many areas of life in the months that followed. The patients were able to increase their working hours from 0 at the onset of the injury to 21 hours a week after 6 months and 30 hours a week after 60 months. These patients were also less likely to “catastrophize” and ranked themselves lower on the pain scale.

Addressing “Invisible” Injuries

Of the injury-causing collisions that happened in the US during the last year data was available, 31.4% were rear-ending crashes. These types of crashes are notorious for causing whiplash, which is an injury to the soft tissue of the neck typically caused by a sudden overextension. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, whiplash symptoms can occur immediately after the trauma, or they can set in many days later. For this reason, many car accident victims have “invisible” injuries. They might look healthy and well to the people around them and even to themselves for a few days. Physical therapy can help address the underlying issues that might not be obvious to the onlooker. Range of motion exercises through a therapy program can help address stiffness and prevent chronic headaches and neck pain.

Preventing Chronic/Long-Term Pain

Physical therapy can prevent long term pain later on. A study out of Japan showed that a physical therapy program given to Whiplash Affective Disorder patients with indefinite pain reduced their symptoms by 80 percent. On average, they initially reported 13.1 symptoms, which decreased to only two at discharge.

Lessening the Need for Certain Surgeries

The need for certain surgeries to address lower back pain can be eliminated with physical therapy. While spinal stenosis is not usually caused by trauma, something like a car accident can make underlying cases come to light. A study conducted by Harvard followed a group of patients who underwent physical therapy for their low back pain and a group who underwent surgery. Two years after the beginning of therapy or surgery, both groups had made equal progress in pain and physical function.

Reducing Need for Pain Medication

Physical therapy can help minimize necessary dosages of pain medication. In a study conducted on pain management in trauma, researchers found that a routine of physical therapy could reduce a patient’s need for opioids. Since most injured car accident victims have to take medication of some kind, physical therapy could play a huge role in preventing reliance/addiction to these medications.

If you are looking for non-invasive treatment for your car accident injury, please contact us. We are located in Everett, near Lynnwood, Marysville and Mill Creek.

Sources:

Ahmadi, A., Bazargan-Hejazi, S., Heidari Zadie, Z., Euasobhon, P., Ketumarn, P., Karbasfrushan, A., Amini-Saman, J., & Mohammadi, R. (2016). Pain management in trauma: A review study. Journal of injury & violence research, 8(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.5249/jivr.v8i2.707

Haiduk, P., Benz, T., Lehmann, S., Gysi-Klaus, F., Aeschlimann, A., Michel, B. A., & Angst, F. (2017). Interdisciplinary rehabilitation after whiplash injury: An observational prospective 5 years outcome study. Medicine, 96(9), e6113. https://doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000006113

Matsui, T., Iwata, M., Endo, Y. et al. Effect of intensive inpatient physical therapy on whole-body indefinite symptoms in patients with whiplash-associated disorders. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 20, 251 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-019-2621-1

Howard, L., M.D. (2020, June 17). Physical therapy as good as surgery and less risky for one type of lower back pain. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/physical-therapy-as-good-as-surgery-and-less-risky-for-one-type-of-lower-back-pain-201504097863

National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration. (2018). National Statistics. Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://cdan.nhtsa.gov/tsftables/National%20Statistics.pdf

Whiplash Information Page. (2019, March 27). Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/all-disorders/whiplash-information-page