After Three Months

Scar tissue will become stronger and unless stretching is persistent, become tighter.  Statistics show that 78% of motor vehicle accident victims will be back to their normal activities within three months, 85% are back within 6 months.  Those that were found to take longer had other underlying disorders such as arthritis, previous other motor vehicle accidents, etc.

Soft tissue injuries sustained in the accident have healed and it is unlikely that exercise or any activity will cause any further damage.  There may still be some pain associated with your increased activity level but this should subside as the muscles become stronger and you become more mobile.

Some individuals become focused on their pain and let it interfere with a regular exercise regime.  By avoiding exercise they avoid their pain; however, this decreased activity level leads to increasing weakness and tightness, causing more pain and more avoidance.  This cycle must be avoided to achieve full recovery and return to normal activities.  The Chronic pain cycle can only be broken through exercise and pain management techniques as provided by your physiotherapist.  Pain medication alone will not resolve this.