Being involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can be a pretty debilitating experience.  Obviously, there’s a huge difference between something like a fender bender trying to leave Autzen Stadium and 10 car pile up on Delta Highway, but MVAs tend to mess people up.  That sudden jolt can irritate pretty much any part of the body.  When someone gets injured in an MVA, a majority of the time people will end up with some back pain.

So what do you do when your car AND your back are in need of a fix?  Provided that you have already received any emergency care, it’d be a good idea to get yourself checked out as soon as possible. Like most injuries, movement with intent is the best way to get things feeling better when it comes to MVA recovery.

It goes without saying that the severity of your symptoms is going to affect what kind of movements you should be doing.  Understanding how movements and different forces affect your symptoms is vital in determining how you should try to fix the problem.

Here are a few great tests to see how things are going in your MVA Recovery:

1. Walking – Can you do it?  Does it hurt?  How long/far can you walk before you need to stop?  How could you walk before the accident?
2. Squatting – The ability to perform a bodyweight squat is a great measure of mobility and function.  Regardless of whether you’re squatting with 500 lbs on your back, picking up a pen, or lifting your kids, a simple bodyweight squat reveals a lot.
3. Touching your toes – Can you do it?  Could you before?  Does it hurt?
4. Prone press up (pictured below) – Basically the opposite of touching your toes but just as important.  Being able to extend (bend backward) is vital for spinal health.
5. Carry weight – The ability to carry stuff is really important.  It’s really hard to make that single trip with all the groceries if you can’t carry tolerate some weight.

   

If you had back pain with any of these tests, or if you couldn’t even do any of these movements, it’s important to identify why and to start to work on those issues for your MVA recovery. Physical therapy is the best way to quickly address any dysfunctions you may have and get you moving and feeling better, even after a car accident.

Got questions?  Feel limited in what you’re able to do?  The staff at Limitless Physical Therapy in Eugene, OR can show you how to be limitless. Contact us to connect with on of our PTs. Or follow us on Facebook.

***The above information, including text, images, and all other materials, is provided for educational purposes only, and not as a replacement or supplement to professional medical advice.  Please contact a certified healthcare professional or your primary physician for any personal concerns.