Physiotherapy after a car accident: how long should you go?
Physiotherapy after a car accident: how long should you go?
If you’ve been in a car accident, it is critical to seek immediate treatment. Even if you don’t feel any initial pain. It is a known fact, symptoms from motor vehicle related injuries can have a delayed onset. You may feel the worst pain initially but over the coming days you may start to feel pain in other parts of your body and this is part of the healing process. This is why it is crucial to seek immediate treatment after your accident.
Being proactive about receiving early Physiotherapy after a motor vehicle accident can reduce severity of your injury. An experienced Physiotherapist can perform a thorough examination, determine the extent of injuries and recommend appropriate treatment.
Physiotherapy after a car accident is commonly recommended and can be effective for a wide range of injuries, including whiplash and concussions. Many people beginning a rehabilitation program are curious about how long they will need to continue treatment after a car accident. There is not a single answer for this as the length of the rehabilitation is entirely dependent on a number of factors such as age of the patient, physical fitness and extent of the car accident.
The first step in any Physiotherapy based rehabilitation program is an assessment with your Physiotherapist. This helps the Physiotherapist establish a baseline for functioning, range of motion and pain levels while also offering a better understanding of the accident and resulting injury.
With this information, your Physiotherapist can develop a treatment program designed to address symptoms, improve mobility and promote the long-term recovery process.
The recommended frequency of sessions and length of the program can depend on factors including the following:
Severity of the injury
Location of the injury
Patient’s current state of health
Patient’s treatment goals
Rate of progress
Every person is different, has different injuries and heals at a different rate. This is why Physiotherapy programs can last anywhere from a few session to a few months of treatment. To give yourself the best chance of achieving long-term wellness, it’s important to work closely with your Physiotherapist and be persistent about your treatment.
Will Insurance Cover The Cost Of My Rehabilitation?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, regardless of who was at fault, any reasonable medical costs are covered by CTP insurance.
What is Whiplash?
Any car accident can result in a neck injury, but rear end collisions have especially high rates of whiplash.
When a vehicle gets struck from behind, its occupants will usually be thrown backwards and then forwards on impact.
This can force the neck to stretch beyond its usual range of motion.
Car accident related whiplash can be compounded by the late onset of symptoms. It is not unusual for people not to realise how badly they’ve been injured and fail to seek treatment until several days after an accident.
How do I get rehabilitation after a car accident?
Most insurers will only cover the cost of rehabilitation expenses if they are:
- Reasonable and appropriate
- Directly related to injuries caused by a motor vehicle accident
You’ll need to supply proof that you require rehabilitation for your claim to be approved. This is done by visiting your GP or Physiotherapist as soon as possible after your car accident.
You will need to see your GP who will fill out the appropriate forms for you to pass onto the insurance company.
It’s not enough to simply give your word – insurance companies require documents that can be independently verified.
How do I start the rehabilitation process?
Get in touch with your preferred Physiotherapist. It is important to visit a Physiotherapist who is experienced in providing car accident treatment and rehabilitation. Alternatively, you can contact your insurer about arranging rehabilitation.
Do I have to wait for the CTP insurer to approve rehabilitation?
Once your claim number has been issued, you have two approved Physiotherapy sessions after which your Physiotherapist will submit a request for further treatment.
Delaying treatment could make your injuries worse, potentially causing you even greater pain and suffering. There is a minimum time period which the insurer takes to approve further treatment. An experienced Physiotherapist will be aware of these factors and will submit the appropriate documents in a timely manner to avoid unnecessary delays in treatment.
Ready to start your Physiotherapy rehabilitation journey after your car accident? Get in touch with us today.
Contact Us:
You can call us anytime to have a confidential discussion regarding your car accident with our expert Physiotherapists.
Ajit Singh Lamba – Physiotherapist in Parramatta
Other Links:
CTP Insurance Physiotherapy Claims
What to do after a car accident
Physiotherapy After A Car Accident
I Was Injured in a Car Accident. Do I Need to see a Physio?
Car Accident Injury And Treatment
Car Accident Injuries & Treatment: What to Expect Physically After an Accident
Whiplash: What You Should Know About This Common Car Accident Injury