Motor Vehicle Accidents
If you have been injured in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) that was not your fault, then you may be entitled to receiving some physiotherapy treatment partially covered by the Insurance Commission of WA (ICWA).
You will need to be referred by your doctor, and lodge a claim with ICWA before attending. At the first session we will require a copy of your doctor’s referral and also your ICWA claim number and any other information that you have been provided. Please note that ICWA only covers a portion of your fees for physiotherapy. You will be provided with some information at your initial appointment detailing the gap fees that you will be required to cover privately on either a fortnightly or monthly basis, depending on the frequency of your attendance.
Common musculoskeletal complaints post MVA are pain in the lower back, shoulder, wrist, foot/ ankle and most commonly, the neck. “Whiplash” or neck pain is a common after-effect of a motor vehicle accident. People are often quite worried at the development of this pain but it is important to remember that your spine is actually super flexible and strong. Often the pain you feel is due to sensitisation of various structures within your neck, or a mild ligamentous injury. Think of it as a mild “sprain” to the ligaments running up and down your neck and upper back. Pain is a very subjective and individual sensation, with factors such as stress, anxiety, worry and negative beliefs potentially causing an amplification of the pain that you feel. In addition, holding yourself in a very guarded or tense manner due to these emotional factors or cognitive beliefs can add to the sensitisation of structures and therefore the painful symptoms that result. Often it is the muscle tension and guarding itself that causes the most pain! Your Physiotherapist can help to allay any fear or concern you have regarding your pain and give you the best advice on how to manage it optimally.
Your management will include the Physiotherapist taking a thorough history and performing a full musculoskeletal assessment. Treatment may include heat, manual therapy, soft tissue massage, supportive taping, exercise therapy as well as advice on postures and exercises you can perform to assist your recovery at home or at work. One of the most important things you can do is to stay active with appropriate avoidance of aggravating activities, as well as working with your Physiotherapist to achieve gentle pain-free movement as soon as possible.
