Six Weeks After a Car Accident

It is at approximately six weeks that the amount of scar tissue produced significantly decreases.  The scar tissue that is present undergoes changes that make it stronger.  Some may adhere to surrounding tissues restricting the normal movement of joints and muscles unless stretching of sufficient intensity to end range is applied regularly.

It is also at this time that your physiotherapist may decide to apply gentle mobilization forces to the joints to break or stretch scar tissue, stretch tight joint capsule, and tight ligaments that interfere with normal movement at the joints.  

Because some muscles have been injured, they are weaker.  This affects posture and your ability to remain active for sustained periods.  With your change in posture some muscles may tighten while others will become weak through injury and disuse.  This results in a muscle imbalance.  Muscle imbalances around the neck can cause headaches, jaw pain, shoulder pain, and sometimes pain radiating into the arms.  To correct muscle imbalances requires stretching the tight muscles, while strengthening and re-educating the weak muscles.

We rely on measurements taken during your reassessments to determine if you are strengthening and regaining your mobility appropriately. Measurements of joint mobility, strength, and posture help us determine if you may be developing  muscle imbalances.