Massage for Auto Accidents
Yes, you need it and your insurance pays for your massage!
After a car accident your world can feel turned upside down. Is everyone alright? Do I need to see a doctor? Is my car able to be fixed? Contacting insurance companies, auto repair shops, getting a rental car, sometimes all come before your own health and well-being. Many people feel fine after the auto accident due to a rush of adrenaline. They don’t bother going to the Emergency Room to get checked out or think they don’t need to. This can be a mistake. After the production of adrenaline wears off, the pain can start. Sometimes lots of it. Headaches, stiffness, neck pain, shoulder pain, limited range of motion, all are common complaints massage therapists see when working with auto accident victims. It’s important to have all serious injuries ruled out by a doctor. Once internal injuries are ruled out, massage therapy can be one of the best treatments to enhance healing for both the mental and physical trauma experienced as a result of the accident. Auto accidents can cause these conditions among others:
- whiplash
- neck and back injuries
- tendon damage
- muscle spasms
- myofascial pain
- headaches
- migraines
- secondary muscle group pain (guarding)
- insomnia (pain can interrupt sleep)
Massage therapy can alleviate and even help prevent these and other accident related injuries.
One of the most common injuries that result from an auto accident is whiplash to the neck, also known as cervical sprain/strain. Sprains and strains are referred to as soft tissue injuries and respond very well to massage therapy. Whiplash occurs when the car comes to an abrupt stop and the body, even though restrained, is quickly propelled forward and back in a kind of snapping motion. This leaves the muscles and ligaments injured, sometimes drastically, depending on the person's soft tissue health prior to the accident.
Massage is the best treatment for soft tissue damage. Soft tissue includes the
muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your body. Soft tissue injuries cannot be
detected on x-rays and are often the very things which are affected by the auto
accident. Regular massage therapy after
an auto accident should begin as soon as possible to prevent the injuries from
worsening or creating scar tissue. It is
not unusual for the symptoms of an auto accident related soft tissue injury to
show up months later.
Auto Insurance pays for your massage therapy treatment.
Many people don't realize their auto insurance includes PIP (personal injury protection) and will pay for massage therapy after being involved in an auto accident. If you own a vehicle, you most likely have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage as a part of your auto insurance policy. If you are in an accident and you are at fault, your insurance company will cover your medical costs up to the amount your policy allows. If another driver is at fault, your auto insurance will still usually cover the cost of your medical treatment while they negotiate with the other driver’s insurance company for reimbursement. After you see a doctor or chiropractor they may prescribe massage therapy sessions on a written script which you bring to the massage office. The office staff will let you know the steps and paperwork from there. This process is made easy for the client so you can focus on getting the help you need to get out of pain.
