Auto Accident & Personal Injury
Car accident physical therapy treats the injuries that follow a crash: whiplash, neck and back pain, headaches, stiffness and dizziness. Seeing a physical therapist soon helps you recover and protects against lingering pain, even if you feel mostly fine. We treat auto accident injury in Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho, and Jared Pugmire, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, Dip Osteopractic, Cert. SMT/DN/VCS, who also has vestibular and concussion training, leads your care.
What a crash can do to your body
Head and back injuries are typically the most serious. Symptoms may not appear right away.
Whiplash
The most common accident injury. Whiplash treatment starts with the same question as neck pain after a car accident: what moved too far, and what is guarding now? The sudden snap of the neck and head can hurt and restrict movement. Read Neck Pain.
Back pain
Back pain after a car accident has several possible causes, and a herniated disc is one common one. See Back Pain.
Concussion and headaches
Head injuries can cause concussion, with dizziness and headaches. See Concussion and Headaches & Migraines.
Shoulder injury
A seat belt and a tight grip on the wheel can strain the shoulder. See Shoulder Pain.
Dizziness and vertigo
A problem in the balance system can follow a crash. See Vestibular Rehab / Dizziness & Balance and Vertigo / BPPV.
Neck positioning
A crash can leave the neck twisted or held in an odd position. See Torticollis.
Why to be seen soon, even if the pain is mild
After a car accident you may have pain, reduced motion, headaches or stiffness that were not there at first. Physical therapy helps keep symptoms in check, improve flexibility and strength, and support recovery. The sooner you start, the better your chances of preventing long-term trouble such as migraines or chronic pain.
You can still benefit if the injury is years old. Strength and cardio work can help ease old accident pain and improve mobility. If you had chest pain, a head injury or trouble breathing, see a doctor first.
How we treat neck, back and whole-body injury after a crash
We start with a one-on-one visit and a comprehensive evaluation, then build a plan around your injury.
- Manual therapy and gentle joint mobilization
- Neck stabilization and strengthening exercise through Therapeutic Exercise
- Dry needling for tight muscle after the injury
- Electrical stimulation, therapeutic ultrasound, and ice or cold therapy for pain
- Vestibular therapy for dizziness
- Stretching, with a home plan to keep recovery going
Paying for car accident therapy
Coverage after a crash can feel confusing, so we say plainly what we take.
What we accept
Auto injury liens, Medpay, most insurance plans and workers compensation are accepted, and there is a self-pay option. Call the office to confirm your plan.
Personal injury, PIP and letters of protection
If your case is personal injury physical therapy, or you are asking about PIP physical therapy or a letter of protection, call us and we will tell you what applies to your claim.
Your claim and your attorney
Your progress is documented in your treatment notes. Call us to talk through what your attorney or adjuster needs. Related pages: Insurance, Work Injuries & Workers' Comp.
See a doctor or go to the ER first if you have
- A head injury with confusion, repeated vomiting or loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
- Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Severe neck pain after the crash
A crash can also cause broken ribs and other injuries that need a medical check first. Idaho allows direct access to physical therapy, so you do not need a referral from a doctor to begin. Some insurance plans, and Medicare typically, may still require one. If you are unsure, call us and we will check your plan.
Car accident care in Chubbuck, Idaho
Call or request an appointment at our Chubbuck clinic. We see patients from Chubbuck, Pocatello and the surrounding area.
We provide physical therapy after car accident injuries, and we can explain how auto injury liens and Medpay work with us.
We see patients at our Chubbuck clinic from Chubbuck and Pocatello, Idaho.