Call NowCan Physical Therapy Help Treat Balance Issues After an Accident?
Car accidents can lead to many injuries and symptoms, and one of the most common is dizziness or loss of balance. While these symptoms can be frightening, they’re entirely treatable. Here’s how physical therapy can help with balance issues after a car accident.
Balance Problems After a Car Accident
Your body relies on many systems to help maintain balance. The eyes, joints, muscles, nerves, and vestibular organs in the inner ear all contribute to your ability to balance by sending signals to your brain. If any of those parts are impacted by a collision, it’s no surprise that your balance is often affected as a result.
One of the most common causes of balance issues after a car accident is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). It’s estimated that 30-65% of people with a TBI suffer from balance problems. If you suspect you’re suffering from a TBI after a car accident, some of the common symptoms to look for include:
- Disequilibrium
- Dizziness
- Imbalance
- Lightheadedness
- Vertigo
Keep in mind that balance issues aren’t limited to your brain. If you experience a leg fracture or a spine injury from a car accident, these injuries can also impact your balance in a big way.
Physical Therapy Helps Post-Accident Dizziness and Loss of Balance
If you or a loved one are suffering from post-accident dizziness, imbalance, lightheadedness, or similar symptoms, physical therapy can help. Your physical therapist will prescribe a treatment plan based on your symptoms and their underlying cause. Every injury is different, so the exact treatments depend on the extent of your injury and your limitations. The typical treatment plan includes the following:
- Exercises to improve balance
- Exercises to help your brain correct problems in your inner ears
- Exercises to improve your focus and vision
- Exercises to reduce whiplash symptoms
After a full evaluation, your physical therapist will develop a treatment program that focuses on the muscles that need strengthening. A physical therapy program to restore balance centers on exercises, stretches, and body positioning strategies that improve your flexibility and strengthen your muscles. In some cases, medical devices or props are used. Your physical therapist may even teach you how to fall safely, protecting you from injury as you recover. By following a comprehensive treatment plan, you can regain your balance day by day, eventually leading to a full recovery.
Restore Your Balance Today With Physical Therapy
If you’re suffering from balance problems after a car accident, physical therapy can help. After a comprehensive medical evaluation, the physical therapists at Impact Medical Group of Sarasota can prescribe a customized treatment plan that addresses your underlying issues and limitations. We’re the team you can trust to support your full recovery, so you can regain your balance and get back to life as usual. Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free consultation!