If you’ve ever been in a car accident before, you know that it can be stressful, painful, and shocking. Fortunately, most automotive crashes do not result in serious or catastrophic injury. When patients walk into one of our Synergy Rehab clinics after a car accident, they have typically sustained soft tissue injuries. With early treatment intervention, the discomfort can be resolved within a few months.
If you or a loved one has recently been in an MVA (motor vehicle accident), read on to find out what steps to take for a full physical recovery with financial support.
What are soft tissue injuries?
The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Sprains, strains, and contusions, as well as tendinitis and bursitis, are common soft-tissue injuries. Even with appropriate treatment, these injuries may require a prolonged amount of time to heal. Soft-tissue injuries fall into two basic categories: acute injuries and overuse injuries.
In the case of a car accident, most people will suffer acute soft tissue injury. This just describes an injury caused by a sudden trauma, such as a fall, twist, or blow to the body.
Your symptoms after the crash
Immediately after your MVA, you may be experiencing several different symptoms such as:
- Mid or low back pain and tightness
- Pins/needles, numbness in arms/hands, legs
- Whiplash
- Headaches or concussion-like symptoms
- Shock, anger, fear
Although you initially may be quite sore, early, and proactive treatment with a physiotherapist can resolve most soft tissue injuries within 3-6 months.
What is whiplash?
Most people have experienced whiplash. There are varying degrees of severity, but whiplash is a common occurrence if you have been involved in a real impact car collision. When this happens, the head and neck move backwards from force of impact and then quickly snaps forward. Whiplash affects your soft tissue and typically causes stiffness and pain in the neck and mid-back. In certain cases, this stiffness is accompanied by numbness, headaches, and feelings of pins and needles.
6 steps to take after you’ve been in an MVA
Without further ado, here are the 6 things that you should do following a motor vehicle accident.
- Report your claim to ICBC
It is vital that you report the accident to ICBC. Once you have reported your MVA, they will be able to start a claim and give you a claim number. Make sure you write this down and have it handy for when you come in to see one of our expert practitioners. - Visit a healthcare provider of your choice
Seek advice from a rehabilitation professional such as a physiotherapist. We can’t stress enough how early intervention can help your soft tissue injuries recover fully. There is no need to wait for the symptoms of the accident to settle before coming in. Let one of our experts at Synergy Rehab help you in the early stages of your recovery. - Receive a care plan after having your injuries assessed
Your physiotherapist will carefully assess your injuries and provide you with a detailed treatment plan. At Synergy Rehab, we work with other practitioners like chiropractors and massage therapists to craft a care plan that encompasses all your goals. After an accident it is important to learn how to move your body safely, manage your pain, and alleviate discomfort through stretches and exercise. Your treatment plan may include:
-Manual therapy
-Acupuncture or IMS needling
-Movement therapy through exercise prescription
-Verbal education about your body as a whole and how to heal. - Go for treatment within the first 12 weeks of your accident
Within 12 weeks of your accident date, you are approved for the following visit numbers:
-25 physiotherapy sessions
-25 chiropractic sessions
-12 psychology sessions
-12 massage therapy sessions
-12 kinesiology sessions
-12 acupuncture sessions
-12 clinical counseling sessions - Don’t pay!
ICBC has changed the way they offer care to their claimants. You no longer require a doctor’s referral to access treatment. Following your car accident, if you have a claim number, you can access many healthcare services right away. ICBC will pay for your treatment fees directly. At Synergy Rehab, our ICBC support team is here to help you every step of the way so your accident doesn’t need to become a financial burden. - Recover and return to your normal activities
Physiotherapy, along with other disciplines can help through all stages following a car accident and help you on the road to recovery. Let’s get you back and doing the things you love to do!
Take advantage of your coverage at Synergy Rehab
Use your ICBC pre-approved coverage to recover from your MVA. The first few months of recovery are vital to the healing process, so the sooner you can get in and see a professional – and get a personalized plan – the faster you’ll be back to the normal YOU!
If you’ve recently been in an accident and are looking for advice or treatment on how you can get back to your regular activities, please visit Synergy Rehab. We have same day appointments available and are open 7 days a week!
