The aftermath of a motor vehicle accident often includes confusion, stress and pain. You will likely deal with questions from Colorado police, intrusive interrogations from insurance investigators and a barrage of medical professionals whose goal is to minimize the long-term consequences of your injuries. In the beginning, it is not always easy to know how much medical treatment you will need to achieve this goal.
One of the most common courses of action doctors take is to prescribe physical therapy for someone who has suffered injuries in an accident. Whether your injuries are visible or less obvious, physical therapy offers many benefits. In fact, those who skip physical therapy because of its cost may suffer pain and other consequences that can reduce their quality of life.
The benefits of physical therapy following an accident
Any injury or surgical procedure that affects your ligaments, joints or muscles may jeopardize your mobility. Your body has its own system for healing itself in many cases, but that healing may not result in you having the same pain-free movement you may have enjoyed prior to your accident. The doctor who treated your injuries following your car accident may have recommended physical therapy to help your body heal more effectively. Physical therapy offers the following benefits:
- It strengthens the muscles and can speed healing to injured areas of your body.
- Skilled therapists often know a variety of methods that can reduce pain, which may help you avoid taking costly and risky prescription opioids.
- Physical therapists may be able to show you ways to manage discomfort between visits.
- Doctors often prescribe physical therapy to help patients avoid surgery.
- Physical therapy can help you avoid additional damage to injured areas by showing you how to reduce the strain on weakened areas.
- Following catastrophic accidents, a physical therapist can assist you in relearning activities your injuries may have restricted, such as walking.
If you suffered serious injuries in a motor vehicle accident, you may not know right away if physical therapy will be a recommended part of your recovery. Additionally, you may not realize the full extent of your injuries or how much time you will miss from work while you heal. This is why it is important not to rush to accept a settlement offer from an insurance company or payment from the other driver until you discuss the situation with your doctor and an experienced attorney.