Almost any car accident is a traumatic event. Often, when people are in a car accident that seems minor, they do not notice any injury symptoms right away. Car accidents are exciting.Not “exciting” in the fun sense, more from a physiological perspective.Sometimes athletes get injured during a game, and they continue to play without noticing the injury until the game is over. That is because their bodies are generating adrenaline and endorphins. These two chemicals operate to super-charge our bodies and even block pain.
Both you and your passengers should consider seeing a doctor after an accident. The doctor may recognize injuries, sometimes serious, that are not apparent to you. The charges for a doctor visit and medical treatment may be covered by your insurance. It is not recommended that you settle claims from an accident until a doctor has seen you and advised you about the extent of your injuries.
Soft tissue injuries are commonly categorized depending on the time frame since injury and the healing processes that are occurring at that time.
Acute – Protection Phase
A soft tissue injury is termed as acute from the initial time of injury and while the pain, bleeding and swelling is at its worst. Your body’s aim at this point is to protect your injury from further damage. The usual time frame for your acute symptoms to settle is two to four days post-injury, but this can vary depending on how you treat your injury.
Acute Soft Tissue Injury treatment
Sub-Acute – Repair Phase
A soft tissue injury is termed as sub-acute when the initial acute phase makes a transition to repairing the injured tissues. This phase commonly lasts up to six weeks post-injury when your body is bust laying down new soft tissue and reducing the need to protect your injury as the new scar tissue etc begins to mature and strengthen.
Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury treatment
Late Stage – Remodeling Phase
Your body does not magically just stop tissue healing at six week post-injury. Healing is a continuum. At six weeks post-soft tissue injury your healing tissue is reasonably mature but as you stretch, strength and stress your new scar tissue it often finds that it is not strong enough to cope with your increasing physical demand.
When your body detects that a repaired structure is still weaker that necessary, it will automatically stimulate additional new tissue to help strengthen and support the healing tissue until it meets the demands of your normal exercise or physical function.
The period between six weeks and three months post-injury is commonly referred to as the remodelling phase.
Chronic Phase – Ongoing Repair and Remodelling
Beyond three months is referred to as the chronic phase and probably refers mainly to pain that lasts more than 3 months. However, your soft tissue is constantly being injured by your daily activities and workout, only to magically repair and remodel the tissue to meet your specific exercise demands.
How Does Treatment Vary Depending on the Phase?
Your treatment will vary depending upon the needs and demands of your injury. Only a Doctor and therapist who specialize in treatments of injuries caused in accidents are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue injuries and the best techniques for your specific injury and phase of healing.
The law office of Marc J. Atas and Associates can refer you to a doctor who specializes in any type of injury caused by a personal injury claim and get you an appointment the same day!
For more info on Car Accidents, Please CLICK HERE.
