If you or a family member has been involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), your first call should be to your insurance company, and your second should be your Calgary physiotherapist. Even the most benign accidents can lead to injuries that might not be felt right away, but can cause significant pain and discomfort down the road. In Alberta, you can see a physiotherapist and start your treatment even before you see your family doctor. Depending on your injuries, it is very likely your treatment will be covered by your car insurance. Panther Sports Medicine physiotherapy clinics have the ability to direct bill your insurance company.
Your spine is of primary concern, as it takes the brunt of most accidents. Whether the accident was rear-end or side-impact, the rapid acceleration-deceleration of the head on the neck (i.e. whiplash) can cause major issues for car accident victims. Whiplash can also occur from horseback riding, biking and sports like hockey, soccer and football.
Whiplash has a number of symptoms. Following an MVA, people will complain of:
Neck pain and stiffness
Headaches
Lower back pain
Concussions
Muscle strain and tear
Restricted movement
Troubles with memory
Moodiness and generally not feeling like themselves
Whiplash injuries can result in a clinical diagnosis called Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD). It’s estimated that 30% to 50% of patients who sustain a whiplash injury end up reporting chronic pain and symptoms. People may also report bone fractures and other impact injuries. Strain in the pelvis region from braking too strongly is also a common issue following an MVA.
Many of these MVA symptoms can be resolved by our compassionate Panther Sports Medicine team. Our physiotherapists are trained in MVA assessments and treatment. If the injury is beyond our scope of care, our physiotherapists will communicate with your family doctor to help get you the added assistance you need. Our Clinical team and physiotherapists are also familiar with the auto insurance process and requirements, ensuring you have support throughout you rehabilitation journey.
The goal of an MVA assessment is to identify all the areas that have been injured in the accident as well as determine the severity of the injuries. Before coming in for the assessment, you’ll be asked to complete a questionnaire asking you about the accident itself, pre-accident injuries, any initial symptoms and any new pain or discomfort. Next our expert physiotherapists conduct a detailed mobility evaluation and using our state-of-the-art facilities will conduct standard measurements and tests for the spine, joints, muscles and nerves.
Following the evaluation, our physiotherapists will develop a full, personalized MVA treatment plan which could include a combination of exercises, massage, concussion management, braces, etc. The plan might also address your ability to return to work. Your therapist will also advise you on when you can return to sports and activities. The aim is always to get you back to your normal life as quickly as possible.
Our Calgary staff will submit the MVA assessment to your doctor and to your insurance company so they know what to expect. Depending on the insurance provider, our offices can also help coordinate the payment of services to limit out of pocket expenses.
10 Convenient Locations in Calgary. All Physiotherapy clinics have morning and evening appointments available to meet the demands of your busy schedule. Saturday appointments are available at select locations.
Panther Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation Centres are a network of ten clinics, physiotherapist operated, serving Calgary and surrounding areas. Our team offers a wide range of services including physiotherapy, massage therapy, and sports injury rehabilitation to help our clients reduce pain and recover from injuries. Panther Sports Medicine has been proudly serving our community for over 30 years.
