Tag Archives: Motor Vehicle Accident treatment

Whiplash and Car Accidents: What You Should Know

According to the Ministry of Transportation, 2023 saw a total of 49 106 drivers involved in collisions. Of these thousands, it is estimated that up to 83% of individuals will develop whiplash after a car accident. Unfortunately, this makes whiplash the most common injury developed after a car accident and something Physiotherapists see all the time in practice. If you have had a recent car accident and are experiencing neck pain, read on to find out more about whiplash.

What is Whiplash?

Whiplash injuries, also known as Whiplash Associated Disorder or WAD, is an injury of the neck’s soft tissues. The cause is due to a rapid acceleration and/or deceleration movement, exactly like a car accident. For example, some of the tissues that may be affected include the vertebral joints, discs, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and more. The whiplash movement puts a lot of force through these tissues resulting in a strain, sprain, or tear type of injury.

What does a Whiplash injury feel like?

Sometimes, the symptoms after a car accident may not manifest until a couple hours or even days later. Symptoms may last days, weeks, or even months depending on the severity. The most common signs and symptoms include

  • Difficulty with movements involving the neck
  • Difficulty checking your blind spot
  • Pain and stiffness in the neck
  • Headaches, may be worse on one side
  • Dizziness or disequilibrium
  • Difficulty finding a comfortable position to sleep or difficulty falling asleep due to neck pain

Physiotherapy Treatment for Whiplash injuries

Luckily, treatment exists after a Whiplash Injury. If your injury was sustained from a car accident, Motor Vehicle Accident Rehabilitation with Physiotherapy is the most common form of treatment afterwards. However, no matter the mechanism of injury whether it be a car accident, falls, other traumas, sports injuries or more, Physiotherapy treatment is available. This includes a comprehensive assessment with a Registered Physiotherapist and the development of a personalized treatment plan for your Whiplash injury, and other impairments you may have. Treatments that may be included are:

  • Manual therapy on the neck
  • Therapeutic exercises including stretching and strengthening
  • Retraining neck proprioception
  • Electrotherapy for pain relief
  • Cryo and heat therapy
  • Individualized back to work/sport/activity plan

Your Physiotherapist will work closely with you to treat your pain and bring you relief from your symptoms.

How do I get Physiotherapy Treatment for my Whiplash injury?

Depending on whether your source of injury was a car accident or not, there are several paths available. Anybody is welcome to come into our PhysioNow clinic and a doctor’s note is only necessary if your insurance requires it for reimbursement. It is not necessary to have insurance to have Physiotherapy treatment either, and you may choose to pay out of pocket. Please check our Fees and Financing page for more detailed information.

If you have sustained this injury due to a car accident, then after reporting your accident you should have received a claim number. In this case, your adjustor will usually provide your contact information to the clinic and we will give you a call to set up your first appointment. Additionally, you will be covered under Motor Vehicle Accident Insurance as well as any extended health benefits you may have.

If you’re ready to get started with Neck Pain Treatment and Whiplash Injury Treatment today, look for PhysioNow. We have 10 clinics across the GTA to choose from with free parking, extended hours, and private treatment rooms. Book with PhysioNow today for your first assessment and treatment!

Just had a Motor Vehicle Accident? Get Treatment with PhysioNow!

Is there treatment available after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA)?

Yes, treatments provided by Registered Physiotherapists are available to help you manage your pain and impairments after the accident. Usually, this process starts by contacting your insurance company and reporting the incident. In Ontario, individuals are entitled to $3500 of treatment which usually covers 4-5 months of treatment. Additionally, coverage may be extended more depending on the severity and extent of the injuries. Not every Physiotherapy clinic accepts MVA referrals, but PhysioNow is one of the leading providers of MVA rehabilitation across the GTA!

What is MVA rehabilitation?

Car accidents are unique because they result in injury to multiple larges areas of the body at the same time. Fortunately, MVA rehabilitation will address any and all of those impairments, and the Physiotherapist may refer out to other health care professionals if necessary. For example, injuries can range anywhere from one to multiple of:

  • Fracture
  • Concussion
  • Whiplash
  • Soft tissue strains, sprains and tears
  • Internal injuries (requiring immediate medical attention)
  • Chest injuries/bruising
  • Other traumatic brain injuries
  • Injuries requiring surgical repair

How long is MVA treatment?

Treatment will address any impairments from the accident, the most common of which are neck and back pains

As mentioned before, the treatment is usually around 4-5 months for individuals with minor injuries. If you are qualified for a major injury guideline (requires approval from your adjustor and usually medical documentation), the treatment can cover you for years. Overall, injuries sustained from MVAs can take quite a long time to heal. However, many individuals will recover quicker than the entire duration of the treatment.

How do I get started?

After reporting the incident, your case will be assigned a case number. Usually, your adjustor or Motor Vehicle Insurance will have the clinic contact you directly to set up the first appointment, so all you have to do is await a phone call from us! In some cases, they may give you a list of clinics in the area that accept MVA patients, and you can contact us yourself. From there, we just have to find a date and time that works for your initial assessment.

What can I expect from the first Motor Vehicle Accident Physiotherapy appointment?

You will be asked to fill out some paperwork on your initial visit, but don’t worry, our PhysioNow staff are very experienced with MVA procedures and can easily walk you through it. Usually, we ask our patients to come 30 minutes early to the initial assessment to ensure that the paperwork does not impact your appointment time with the Physiotherapist. Next, your physiotherapist will conduct a comprehensive assessment of the injured areas. Finally, they will create a personalized treatment plan using your input to ensure the quickest recovery time possible.

If you have more questions or are looking for a clinic to start your Motor Vehicle Accident Treatment at, look for PhysioNow! We have 10 locations offering MVA services across the GTA including Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, and Etobicoke. Get in contact with us today!

Male,Motorist,With,Whiplash,Injury,In,Car,Crash,Getting,Out

Motor Vehicle Accident: Injuries and Insurance

Motor Vehicle Accidents / MVA and physiotherapy.

motor vehicle accident

Motor Vehicle Accident

Injuries sustained from a motor vehicle accident affect your normal function in life differently. It depends on the extent of the impact. Thus, it is very important to address any pertaining issues from the accident to your doctor. Additionally, to start rehabilitation at the earliest to decrease the impact of injury and its effects.

MVA injuries can be as minor as  sprains or strains or it can be extensive that might include concussion, fractures, neurological involvement, other musculoskeletal involvements, etc.

Once you are involved in an accident and you are discharged from your preliminary care, you would contact your auto insurance company for guidance on starting physiotherapy sessions.

 

Physiotherapy sessions for a motor vehicle accident:

Once you decide to attend a physiotherapy clinic, these are the few things to do and to expect  on your first visit.

  •  Book an appointment in a clinic which you decide to proceed with.
  • Once you arrive expect to fill a few Auto insurance forms and clinic specific forms to start your assessment at the clinic.
  • You would be seeing a physiotherapist who could be your primary care provider.
  • The therapist would do a detailed assessment on your situation and would also go over your treatment plan pertaining to your injury.
  • Your treatment session would be patient specific and progressive to get back to your normal functionality.

 

Facts about your treatment plan and coverage:

Once you are in a motor vehicle accident, you are mostly covered by the auto insurance company for treatment sessions.

Your treatment coverage depends on the category that you fall into.

  • Minor injury guideline/ MIG, where your injury falls into  the category of sprains and strains and would need a shorter duration of recovery and treatment sessions. Your treatment sessions could extent up to 4 months or as needed. Reassessments are done as needed to see your progress and to plan further with your sessions.
  • Out of Minor injury guideline, where your injury is more extensive or catastrophic. Where the duration of recovery is longer and so the treatment allotment is longer when compared to MIG.
  • Any multidisciplinary approach needed would be advised and would be recommended to your insurance company for further proceedings.

 

Commonly seen injuries after a motor vehicle accident:

motor vehicle accident

Motor Vehicle Accident Whiplash

  • Whiplash injury to the neck: which can include one or more of the symptoms ; pain, stiffness, swelling, muscle spasm, headaches, tingling /numbness into the hands, weakness, difficulty sleeping.
  • Low back Sprain/ strain or disc related symptoms which includes, pain, stiffness, tingling and numbness into the leg, disturbed sleep.
  • Shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle sprain/ strain.
  • Seatbelt or airbag related pains in the chest area and abdominal area.
  • Fractures.
  • Concussion symptoms which might include dizziness, headaches, light and noise sensitivity, blurred vision, nausea, issues with concentration, imbalance, weakness, slurred speech, anxiety, depression, etc.
  • Vestibular symptoms with symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, difficulty with positional changes, sense of imbalance, etc.

 

Treatment sessions:

 These are patient specific.

  • Electrical modalities such as IFC, TENS, Ultrasound, LASER, heat or cold packs for pain relief and decreasing muscle spasm, and to improve circulation to the area.
  • Manual therapy which includes soft tissue techniques, joint mobilization, joint traction. Muscle energy techniques to reduce pain, improve function in the joint.
  • Exercises for improving mobility, strength, and also function.
  • Braces and splints for immobilization as needed.
  • Post concussion therapy focusing on your symptoms and additionally presentation, which is provided by a physiotherapist trained in concussion therapy.
  • Vestibular rehabilitation services provided by a physiotherapist specifically trained in vestibular rehab.

Need some help?

Your assessment session would ideally be an hour and treatment sessions would be 45 min to an hour in our clinic.  Here at PhysioNow, we have many highly knowledgeable physiotherapists that can assist you with your injuries. If you think physiotherapy may help with an injury from an MVA, book with PhysioNow today for your first assessment and treatment!

Physio for Car Accidents


Treatment after Car Accidents

Physio for Car Accidents
Physio for Car Accidents

Car accidents are events that no one wants to be in.  Unfortunately, traffic, weather conditions and bad driving result in hundreds of car accidents. These accidents occur daily, such as in Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville.  These accidents can range from minor to horrible accidents. As a result, these terrible accidents can cause serious injuries. Thankfully, many of the accidents have few long lasting effects on your health.  However, any accident can really affect your life. Physio for car accidents can help restore your health.

Role of your Car Insurance

There many things you need to do after a car accident. Firstly, you will need to tell your car insurance about the accident. Secondly, you will need to deal with the damages of the vehicle.

Above all, you need to recover from your injuries.  It is important to report the accident as quickly as possible.  As a result, it makes dealing with the car insurance a lot easier. If there are injuries , you can use the car insurance benefits to get physio for car accidents.

You will be assigned an adjuster from your car insurance to help you with your claim. As a result of the injuries, your adjuster will suggest Physio for car accidents.

The adjuster has a list of preferred clinics that provide Physio for car accidents. Many of these clinics will be located in Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville.  PhysioNow is a preferred car insurance provider that will be included on the list from your adjuster. 

What to expect at your assessment?

PhysioNow has 4 locations across Mississauga, Etobicoke and Oakville. We receive many referrals from people involved in car accidents. Our front desk staff will call you to book your initial Physio appointment.  When you come in for the assessment, firstly we will get a bit of information about you and the accident.  The role of the clinic administrator is to simplify the process of booking and billing. 

Physio for Car Accidents Plan

Secondly, you will meet with the Registered Physiotherapist. The Physiotherapist will ask about the accident and assess your painful areas.  Once the Physiotherapist has all of the information, they will complete your treatment plan. We will submit this to the car insurance adjuster on your behalf.  This document will outline your injuries, and any medical history. It will also include the number and type of treatments that the Physiotherapist is recommending for you.

Car Accident Physio Options

Your Physiotherapist may also recommend massage therapy or other products to help you get better faster.  The exact timeline of the treatment plan and how many visits are allowed will be dependent on whether the injuries are considered “minor” or “major” by the car insurance company.  The Physiotherapist will be able to decide which treatment guideline that applies to you and they will discuss this with you.  Once the forms are completed, the Physiotherapist will review the contents of the plan with you.

Follow-up Car Accident Physio Appointments

Follow-up appointments will focus on treatment and helping you to get better.  The type of treatment received depends on the injuries. Normally, treatments will be as follows:

Firstly, you will get machines put on that reduce pain.

Secondly, hands on treatment techniques and lastly, exercises for home. 

Recovery from a car accident can take time. The body takes in a lot of stress from the accident. Therefore, these injuries take a long time to heal.  As a result, it is important to stay consistent with your treatment. In this way, the body can benefit the most.  The goal is to help you to return to all of the activities that you were able to do before the accident.


FEES for Physiotherapy/ Massage Therapy after a Car Accident

All fees should be covered for the treatment you receive after a car accident. By law, your Physiotherapy clinic is required to first bill any extended health insurance (EHC) that you may have. Anything that is not covered by your EHC insurance is then passed on to your car insurance. You should never be out of pocket for treatment received for Physio after Car Accidents.

Our Physio clinic administrators will try to take the work out of the billing and paperwork for you! If you or someone you know has been involved in a car accident, Please give us at 289-724-0528. At PhysioNow we are ready to help! Same day appointments are often available. We have highly trained Physiotherapists and Massage Therapists at all of our locations.

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Acupuncture: Neck pain

Almost everyone will experience some sort of neck pain or stiffness during their lifetime. However, certain occupations appear to be predisposed to neck symptoms.  Acupuncture: Neck pain may be able to help.

Manual laborers, for instance, have more symptoms than office workers.  The type of work seems to affect the risk. A person’s age and a history of twisting and bending during work can also contribute.

Studies have shown acupuncture: Neck Pain to be effective in relieving certain types of neck pain.  This is especially true for neck pain  caused by whiplash. Some studies suggest acupuncture can treat degenerative neck disorders such as ankylosing spondylosis and cervical spondylosis.  In many cases, acupuncture: Neck pain has worked for patients whose conditions could not be solved using conventional approaches.

¬ Mechanism of action of Acupuncture: Neck pain

  • Release of opioid peptides.Opioids are naturally occurring chemicals in the brain that have apain killing effect. The release of these opioids plays a large role in the reduction of pain. There has been lots of evidence to show that acupuncture stimulates the central nervous system.  This causes the release of these pain killing chemicals.
  • Alteration in the secretion of neurotransmitters and neurohormones.Acupuncture is said to activate the hypothalamus and pituitary glands. This changes the release of these chemicals. These particular chemicals play a direct role in the feeling of pain. It also affects the activity of an organ . Evidence has shown that acupuncture alters this secretion in a manner that reduces pain.
  • Stimulation of electromagnetic points on the body. The 2,000 points of the body that acupuncture focuses on are thought to be special conductors of electromagnetic signals. Stimulation of these areas is believed to start the flow of endorphins—the body’s natural painkillers.¬ Indications for Acupuncture: Neck pain
    • Sudden Force/Automobile Accident
    • Degenerative Disc Disease
    • Overuse/Improper Use
    • Osteoporosis
    • Neck Strain
    • Degenerative Arthritis
    • Whiplash
    • Muscle Tension or Spasm
    • Bone Spur
    • Herniated or Protruding Disk
    • Pinched Nerve
    • Ligament/Muscle Tears
    • Cervical Spondylosis
    • Ankylosing Spondylosis

    ¬ Contraindications of Acupuncture: Neck pain

    There are very few situations where acupuncture is not advised:

    • When someone has a hemophilic condition
    • When a  patient is pregnant – certain acupuncture points and needle manipulations should not be used during pregnancy
    • If a patient has a severe psychotic condition or is under the influence of drugs or alcohol

    Check out this link for a bit more information about the use of Acupuncture: Neck pain.

    ¬ Types of application of Acupuncture: Neck pain

    • Basic needlingNeedles are inserted to a depth of 4–25 mm and left in place for a period of time (from a few seconds to many minutes). There are often 6–12 needles (and sometimes more) inserted at different acupoints at the same time. The sensation is often described as a tingling or dull ache at the entry point. Many people say they feel very relaxed or sleepy, and some report increased energy levels afterwards.
    • Electro acupuncture (EA)A tiny focused electric current is applied to the skin at the acupoints or can be applied to the needle itself.

    If you would like to meet with a Registered Physiotherapist that is trained to do Acupuncture: Neck Pain,   please call PhysioNow today! Our experienced physiotherapists would be happy to help !

Whiplash Mississauga

Whiplash MississaugaWhiplash Mississauga
Whiplash Mississauga is a frequent occurrence. It’s a general term that refers to a neck injury that happens when your body comes to a sudden stop. This type of injury occurs frequently with motor vehicle accidents. The force of the impact causes your neck to quickly bend forward then backward. These sudden movements cause your muscles, ligaments and nerves to overstretch. It results in pain. The severity of the pain depends on the nature of the impact, how old your are and whether there you had any previous neck injury. The most commonly reported symptoms of whiplash Mississauga injuries are pain, restricted range of motion and headaches. It is also possible to have pain and tingling into your arms which can be due to a nerve injury in the neck. In some cases, it is also possible to have dizziness and nausea.

Whiplash Mississauga Assessment
A Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga can assess and help treat whiplash Mississauga injuries. The Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga will first check your range of motion. They will complete a nerve test to determine if anything has been damaged. They will check whether there is any nerve involvement. The Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga assessment will help determine just how extensive the damage is. This information is important to have because it gives a sense of your prognosis. This is a timeline of how long your injuries will take to get better.

If the whiplash was a result of a Motor Vehicle accident, the Registered Physiotherapist Mississauga will also complete the necessary paperwork for your car insurance company. All insured persons involved in a Motor Vehicle accident in Ontario are entitled to receive Physiotherapy Rehabilitation and Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga. The Registered Physiotherapist will be an advocate for you. They will help to guide you through the sometimes complicated process.

Whiplash Mississauga Physiotherapy Treatment
The Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Mississauga treatment plan will consist of a combination of heat and electrical modalities for pain management. This will be followed by hands on techniques to mobilize the joints and stretch your muscles. Rehabilitation exercises will be added as tolerated to increase strength, flexibility and activity tolerance. Registered Massage Therapy Mississauga is added early on to the treatment.

Goals of Whiplash Mississauga Treatment
The goal of treating whiplash injuries Mississauga is to reduce pain. A further goal is to return you to your normal activities.
It is important to get treatment for whiplash Mississauga as soon as possible so that your injuries can start to heal properly. If your injuries goes too long without treatment, your symptoms can become more chronic. This can cause you to take longer to get better. It is therefore important to set up a Registered Physiotherapy Mississauga assessment soon after the injury happens. This helps you to have optimal opportunity for healing. Call PhysioNow to book an appointment Now!