Where To Find a No-Fault Physical Therapist
After an auto accident, a no-fault medical provider is your best option when seeking treatment. These professionals are specialists in dealing with the injuries most commonly sustained in an auto accident:
- Back injuries
- Bruises and contusion
- Concussions
- Road rash
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
What No-Fault Coverage Means
New York and New Jersey are no-fault states regarding auto accidents. This means that your insurance should cover any injuries, even if the accident were your fault. It’s essential that you get specific information about your coverage from your insurance provider and that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after your accident. When you work with a top-rated physical therapist in New York and New Jersey, you get the treatment you need without unnecessary delays or complications.
How Physical Therapy Improves Your Recovery
Your quick recovery is crucial to returning to your normal daily activities, and car accident physical therapy is an integral part of a speedy, full recovery:
- Proper therapy reduces the possibility of long-term injuries and prevents further physical damage.
- Targeted physical therapy improves your range of motion and strengthens muscles.
- As part of your treatment, physical therapy speeds up the recovery process and improves your physical and emotional well-being.
Crash-related injuries can cause a lot of pain, and physical therapy may help you reduce or avoid the use of painkillers.
Even if you don’t recognize any pain right after the crash, it’s essential to seek medical attention. Your adrenaline levels may be very high and could mask your symptoms, but any hidden injuries can lead to lost work and long-term pain. If they aren’t identified and treated right away, you may also find it challenging to get your insurance to cover treatment. Don’t risk further pain and injury by delaying proper treatment because you don’t have a physical therapist in mind.
Why You Need a No-Fault Treatment Provider
In many states, no-fault insurance is required by law. This coverage limits your liability for anyone who was injured in a car crash. It also ensures that you can get appropriate medical care without requiring a lot of out-of-pocket money, even if you received a citation following the accident. However, to receive this coverage, you must obtain treatment from a provider who works with your insurance company.
How To Find the Right Treatment Provider
Finding the right physical therapist or no-fault medical provider can be frustrating, however. Choosing a treatment provider is a decision that directly impacts your chances of a successful recovery, but it can be hard to obtain reliable information about specialists in your area. Ideally, this professional will have several valuable qualities:
- Board certification
- Experience
- A clean record, free from numerous malpractice claims
- Open appointment times
Reviewing possible doctors and physical therapists can take a lot of time in the best of circumstances. When you’re suffering from injuries and pain after an accident, the situation is even more challenging. Even if your insurance requires you to get a referral from your primary care doctor, you should have an idea of your options. A no-fault physical therapy and medical services provider can help you find relief from your pain and complete your recovery plan so that you can get back to work and your other daily activities.
At No-Fault Doctors, we offer a comprehensive list of top-rated specialists in New York and New Jersey. Don’t put off your treatment because you don’t know who to call. Contact Us Today!
The Importance of Physical Therapy After a Car Accident
Car accidents involve three separate collisions: the vehicle striking another object, your body connecting with an outside force, and the internal collision of your organs impacting bones and other organs.
Because of this trauma, car accidents can lead to a variety of injuries that cause significant pain and limit your range of motion, making everyday tasks challenging. This is where you may need a physical therapist in New York. Physical therapy after a car accident is not just a luxury but a necessity for many individuals.
According to a report by the National Safety Council, there were 4.8 million car accident injuries in 2020 that patients visited doctors to treat. These injuries ranged from minor sprains and strains to severe traumatic brain injuries.
Physical therapy can help treat these injuries, speed up recovery time, improve mobility and function, and regain strength and balance, without relying solely on pain management medication or surgery.
When To See a Physical Therapist After a Car Accident
It’s crucial to recognize the signs that you may need physical therapy after a car accident. The signs that you may have a delayed injury and should see a physical therapist include:
- Lingering pain: This could be a sign of soft tissue injuries, such as sprains and strains, or more serious conditions like fractures.
- Trouble sleeping: This could be due to pain or discomfort from injuries.
- Difficulty concentrating: This could be a sign of a concussion or other types of traumatic brain injury.
- Limited range of motion: This could indicate joint injuries or muscle stiffness, which physical therapy can improve.
- General weakness or fatigue: This could be a result of your body diverting energy to heal, or it could indicate a more serious condition like a spinal cord injury.
- Chronic headaches or migraines: These could be a sign of a concussion, whiplash, or neck injury.
- Stiff or sore muscles or joints: This could indicate soft tissue injuries or be a sign of whiplash.
- Unexplained numbness or tingling: This could signify nerve damage or a spinal cord injury.
These symptoms could indicate common car accident injuries like whiplash, concussions, and sprains. Without treatment, these injuries can worsen over time, leading to chronic pain and disability.
The Benefits of Physical Therapy for Car Accident Injuries
Physical therapy offers numerous benefits for individuals recovering from car accident injuries, including:
Accelerate Recovery
Physical therapy after a car accident is not just about managing pain; it’s about healing faster and getting back to your life. It strengthens your muscles and improves your range of motion, reducing the time it takes to recover from your injuries.
According to a study in the Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, patients who received clinical physical therapy saw an improvement in pain, stiffness, and function, which was twice the magnitude of the improvement observed in a group that only performed home exercises for one month.
Improve Outcomes
Physical therapy for car accident injuries enhances the quality of your recovery. It can reduce or even prevent the long-term effects of your injuries, helping you regain full movement and functionality to the greatest extent possible.
Preventing Further Damage
Physical therapy after a car crash can also help prevent secondary injuries. In a weakened state, you might be more susceptible to falls or strains. Physical therapy addresses this risk by keeping you active and strengthening your muscles with help from a trained physical therapist, so you can avoid additional harm.
Reducing Reliance on Painkillers
One of the significant benefits of physical therapy is its potential to reduce reliance on painkillers. While painkillers can provide temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of the pain. Physical therapy, on the other hand, helps build natural strength and can reduce or eliminate the use of painkillers in the recovery process, according to research conducted at the Stanford University School of Medicine.
By building your natural strength, you can manage your pain more effectively, reducing or even eliminating the need for painkillers.
Avoid Surgery
With prompt physical therapy after a car accident, your doctor may be able to treat your injury while it is still minor and avoid invasive and expensive surgery.
Establish a Pattern of Care
Attending regular physical therapy sessions can help establish a pattern of care, which can be crucial if you have long-lasting injuries and need to determine the cost of future care for your compensation claim.
Demonstrate the Seriousness of Your Injuries
Physical therapy sessions can also serve as evidence that you’re not overstating your injuries, a common defense that insurance companies try to use in accident cases. Attending physical therapy shows that you’re serious about your recovery and are following your doctor’s orders. This can be important for your personal injury claim to collect compensation.
Is Physical Therapy Covered by Insurance?
The costs of physical therapy can be included in your claim for compensation after a car accident. At No-Fault Doctors, our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
Whether you’re dealing with a head injury after a car accident or a sprained ankle, our team of professionals is here to guide you through your recovery process.
FAQs
Common injuries that may require physical therapy include whiplash, sprains, strains, and concussions.
Physical therapy after a car accident can help strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, and enhance balance, all of which can contribute to a faster recovery.
Yes, the costs of physical therapy are often covered by insurance as part of your compensation after a car accident if your claim is successful.
Yes, physical therapy can also improve your mental health after a car accident in addition to treating your physical car accident injury. The process of attending physical therapy after a car accident and seeing your progress can improve your mood, aiding in your overall recovery.