A Fender Bender for Your Car can be a Major Injury for Your Body

Let's say you're in a car accident.  Someone rear ends you at a stoplight.  When you look at the damage to your car's back end, it's pretty minor.  A pushed in bumper, maybe some dings and paint scrapes.  "Great news," says your insurance agent.  "That means you weren't badly hurt either!"  Wrong.

Don't assume there's a relationship between vehicle damage and bodily injury in an accident.  A car is built out of solid materials. It absorbs the energy of an impact in a different way than your body.  You may have serious head and neck injuries even though your car only shows a dented fender.  It really doesn't matter which way you hit a car.  The damage you can expect is pretty much based on physics.  But when you're sitting in the car and moving about, the position of your head, the direction of the impact, the forces on your spine all affect how badly you'll be hurt.    

Don't underestimate your injuries in a car accident.  Often people in fender benders refuse medical treatment because they feel fine in the minutes after a crash.  That feeling often goes away as the hours count down and the pain sets in.  Never ever assume that you can predict how badly you're hurt from how badly your car is damaged.

For more information on the impact of vehicle accidents on your body and how physical therapy can help you recover faster, contact Sarasota Physical Medicine or call us at (941) 922-9312.

Looking for a Simple Way to Get Into Shape? Start Walking!

How many steps does it take to start living a healthier lifestyle?  Only one step at a time.  On April 6th everyone across the US is invited to take that first step by being part of the National Start! Walking Day.  Take 30 minutes for yourself.  Get out from behind that desk, or up from that couch, and get out for your health.  Walking is one of the easiest fitness routines you can start.  It doesn't require special gear or fancy shoes.  All you need is a little bit of motivation.  Find a buddy, make a date, make yourself a promise--to get out and get walking.  Call our office at Sarasota Physical Medicine (922-9312) if you need a pep talk or some moral support.  We want to help you live a longer healthier life, one step at a time!