Massage Therapy after a
Motor Vehicle Accident
by Kip Petch, RMT
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), you need to be assessed by a Primary Health Care Practitioner (Medical Doctor, Chiropractor or Physical Therapist). This Primary Practitioner will document your condition which will serve as a baseline for your upcoming care.
Some referring practitioners may not be fully aware of the therapeutic benefits that Massage Therapists can provide to individuals who have been injured in an MVA. They may prefer to refer you for treatments with which they are more familiar, such as Physiotherapy. In some instances you may need to advocate for yourself and request Massage Therapy to be included as part of your post-accident treatment regime.
After their assessment and they have determined that you should receive Massage Therapy, you will be given permission to access a certain number of Massage Therapy treatments based on how they classify the injuries that you have sustained.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for injuries sustained in an MVA
Massage Therapy can address the stress that goes with a traumatic event like a car accident. It can help manage the pain, swelling and dysfunction that occurs with many of the sprains, strains, and other injuries common in an MVA.
It is recommended to begin Massage Therapy treatments as soon as possible after an MVA. Therapeutic Massage helps to restore balance to your autonomic nervous system. The relaxation benefits of Massage Therapy can help reverse the effects that the shock and trauma of a vehicle crash can have on your nervous system. Massage Therapy also promotes more efficient circulation of blood and lymph.
During the first few days or weeks after an accident, Massage Therapy can continue to be highly beneficial. It assists by reducing the formation of myofascial adhesions and scar tissue which are often inherent in whiplash-type injuries.
Later in the recovery process the more specific musculoskeletal injuries should be addressed. Neck and back pain (whiplash) are by far the most common complaint, but almost any area of the body can be affected. Massage Therapy helps to relax these muscles and restore them back to their original state. The benefits include lengthening shortened muscles to restore flexibility and increasing the range of motion, releasing any trigger points that may have developed, relief from pain symptoms, headaches, jaw pain and dysfunction, nerve compression, numbness, muscle spasm, and much more.
Emotional Support
At the Active Life Centre our Registered Massage Therapists recognize the immense stress that an MVA can place upon an individual and their family members. We understand that this stress goes beyond your physical injuries, as you deal with a multitude of health care providers, insurance companies, and auto repair shops. It can also negatively affect your ability to work, play, share in family commitments, and participate in other important obligations. Your comfort and safety are always our main priority as we create a welcoming space for you to enjoy your massage experience. We listen attentively to your needs and we encourage open communicate throughout your massage treatments while on your road to recovery.
All of the Massage Therapists at the Active Life Centre include Massage Therapy after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) into their practices:
Kip Petch
Kerri Wagensveld
Becky Hobbs
Liesl van Jaarsveldt
Elena Fursova
Karolina Cimoch
If you have been in a motor vehicle accident (MVA), you need to be assessed by a Primary Health Care Practitioner (Medical Doctor, Chiropractor or Physical Therapist). This Primary Practitioner will document your condition which will serve as a baseline for your upcoming care.
Some referring practitioners may not be fully aware of the therapeutic benefits that Massage Therapists can provide to individuals who have been injured in an MVA. They may prefer to refer you for treatments with which they are more familiar, such as Physiotherapy. In some instances you may need to advocate for yourself and request Massage Therapy to be included as part of your post-accident treatment regime.
After their assessment and they have determined that you should receive Massage Therapy, you will be given permission to access a certain number of Massage Therapy treatments based on how they classify the injuries that you have sustained.
Benefits of Massage Therapy for injuries sustained in an MVA
Massage Therapy can address the stress that goes with a traumatic event like a car accident. It can help manage the pain, swelling and dysfunction that occurs with many of the sprains, strains, and other injuries common in an MVA.
It is recommended to begin Massage Therapy treatments as soon as possible after an MVA. Therapeutic Massage helps to restore balance to your autonomic nervous system. The relaxation benefits of Massage Therapy can help reverse the effects that the shock and trauma of a vehicle crash can have on your nervous system. Massage Therapy also promotes more efficient circulation of blood and lymph.
During the first few days or weeks after an accident, Massage Therapy can continue to be highly beneficial. It assists by reducing the formation of myofascial adhesions and scar tissue which are often inherent in whiplash-type injuries.
Later in the recovery process the more specific musculoskeletal injuries should be addressed. Neck and back pain (whiplash) are by far the most common complaint, but almost any area of the body can be affected. Massage Therapy helps to relax these muscles and restore them back to their original state. The benefits include lengthening shortened muscles to restore flexibility and increasing the range of motion, releasing any trigger points that may have developed, relief from pain symptoms, headaches, jaw pain and dysfunction, nerve compression, numbness, muscle spasm, and much more.
Emotional Support
At the Active Life Centre our Registered Massage Therapists recognize the immense stress that an MVA can place upon an individual and their family members. We understand that this stress goes beyond your physical injuries, as you deal with a multitude of health care providers, insurance companies, and auto repair shops. It can also negatively affect your ability to work, play, share in family commitments, and participate in other important obligations. Your comfort and safety are always our main priority as we create a welcoming space for you to enjoy your massage experience. We listen attentively to your needs and we encourage open communicate throughout your massage treatments while on your road to recovery.
All of the Massage Therapists at the Active Life Centre include Massage Therapy after a Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) into their practices:
Kip Petch
Kerri Wagensveld
Becky Hobbs
Liesl van Jaarsveldt
Elena Fursova
Karolina Cimoch