Did you know that you may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a motor vehicle accident (MVA)? This is in addition to other mental/emotional conditions that may come, including anxiety, depression, anger, grief, guilt, and a phobia of road travel. If you have been in an accident and you think you may be experiencing symptoms of PTSD , then we ask you to consult with a mental health professional right away.
However, as a full-service physiotherapy clinic, we absolutely can alleviate much of the more common anxieties that rear their head after an MVA. For instance, reputable studies show that among the issues that are associated with MVA-related PTSD, the presence of chronic pain may be the single most defining characteristic. So as you can see, we most certainly can have a positive impact on your recovery. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
November and December account for the greatest number of car accidents leading to injury or PDO (property damage only) collisions in Alberta. Chances are, that if you have searched for information on this topic, then you have been in a car accident and are seeking help. To answer your call, we are providing some information about how we will help facilitate your return to normalcy and ultimately alleviate post-MVA stress. Keep reading to get started on your proverbial and literal road to recovery.
5 Ways Our Physical Therapy Clinic Will Help Alleviate Post Motor Vehicle Accident Anxiety
1. You’ll Receive Immediate Attention
After an accident, you want to make sure your injury (or potential for injury) is attended to right away. Any delay can compound the stress you already feel. Most people worry about what their insurance adjuster will have to say about the matter and wait until they receive the go-ahead. You do not need to do this. But don’t just take our word for it. Section B of the Motor Vehicle Act states that your care should not be withheld. That means you can schedule an assessment by a physiotherapist, physician, or chiropractor within 30 days of the accident. You’ll feel a weight lift off of your shoulders from the moment you confirm that first appointment.
Note: To help expedite the process, let your insurance service provider know that you had an MVA so that the proper forms can be completed prior to your first session. This will also help ensure that an adequate amount of time is booked to get everything assessed and explained. Your insurance adjuster usually e-mails out forms and information you need. The notice of loss form (AB-1) is time-sensitive; be sure to get it in within 10 days. Click here to view 2017 updates to Prescribed Automobile Insurance Accident Benefit (AB) and Minor Injury (MI) Forms in Alberta. If any of this is unclear, contact us immediately and we’ll walk you through it.
2. Money Won’t Delay Recovery
If you’re like most people, money is already a daily concern. You don’t need to carry it over into post-MVA angst. Well, when you come to our clinic, you don’t have to. We refuse to let finances get in the way of your path to wellness. At Collegiate Sports Medicine, you will automatically have your Approved Treatments paid for through your MVA insurance.
We offer direct billing (within 30 days of your accident) which means you get to keep money in your pocket as you begin your treatment and therapy.In addition, you don’t have to use your personal benefits. Those would only come in to play if you do not get your AB-1 paperwork in on time (as per item #1 above) or you have maxed out the number of visits approved by your auto insurance policy.
Lastly, supplies and equipment used in your recovery can be paid for by the insurance company. The maximum that can be charged to this category depends on the severity of the injury, but rest assured that we will send you home with what you need to minimize the amount of running around you need to do. And yes, you can direct bill these items too!
3. We’ll Look for Latent Injuries
Those PDO collisions aren’t always so. In fact, most injuries will appear within 72 hours of your car accident. But that’s most, not all. Some will materialize in your muscles, joints, tendons, ligaments, and/or tissues much later. Can you imagine getting a clean bill of health only to have issues pop up far after your claims period (and treatment/therapy) has expired? That is why it is essential to get your name and information on file with our clinic right away.
Our specialists (view more on this below) will not only assess you for current aches, pains, and loss in function, we will look for underlying ailments, ones that we commonly see eventuate days if not weeks after the trauma. When you come to College Sports Medicine for post-MVA care, you most certainly receive post-MVA care.
4. You’ll Be Assessed by the Right Specialist
Insurance only pays for one assessment so it is advisable that this is done by the ‘professional” who will be treating you. But don’t worry, you won’t have to pay for an assessment to find out who will perform your initial assessment. Confused? Don’t be. Our multi-disciplinary staff is extremely well-versed in the areas of post-MVA treatment and therapy.
Our lineup of practitioners includes physiotherapists, athletic therapists, exercise therapists, massage therapists, kinesiologists, acupuncturists, concussion specialists, and more. Best yet, we have a resident MVA/Disability Claims expert (Hi Shirley!) who will know exactly who to refer you to for your one-time assessment.
5. You’ll Gain a Long Term Partner in Post-MVA Health and Wellness
Collegiate Sports Medicine will help you fully recover in the shortest amount of time possible. That’s our pledge. However, the relationship does not end there, not if you don’t want it to. A big part of MVA stress recovery spans beyond the physical therapy specific to your injuries. You’ll find that you will begin to regain confidence in your body which in turn helps calm the previous anxiety felt after your accident.
We’ve got to warn you, this newfound confidence is addicting. Many post-MVA patients choose to make physiotherapy a part of their normal routine, spanning beyond injury treatment, and delving into injury prevention and body function optimization. Why should physiotherapy be any different than a semi-annual (or more frequent) visit to the dentist or family doctor? It shouldn’t, and that’s why when you come to Collegiate Sports Medicine, you will gain a long-term partner that is dedicated to your wellness today and tomorrow.