Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Motor Vehicle Accident Injuries

Being involved in a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can leave you dealing with pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility that don't always show up right away. At Active Edge Physio, we provide personalized physiotherapy programs specifically designed to help you recover from car accident injuries — whether the collision happened yesterday or symptoms surfaced weeks later.

Common Injuries We Treat After a Car Accident

Whiplash-associated disorder (WAD) — neck pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion from the rapid back-and-forth motion of a collision

• WAD I - Neck pain, stiffness, or tenderness only — normal range of motion
• WAD II - Neck pain and stiffness with musculoskeletal signs — reduced range of motion and point tenderness
• WAD III - Neck pain plus neurological signs — muscle weakness, altered sensation, or reflex changes
• WAD IV - Neck injury involving fracture or dislocation

Soft tissue injuries — strains and sprains to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often in the neck, shoulders, and back

Lower back and spinal injuries — including disc irritation and facet joint pain from impact forces

Seatbelt and shoulder injuries — bruising, strain, or joint irritation from restraint systems during impact

Post-traumatic headaches — tension-type or cervicogenic headaches originating from neck injury

Symptoms That Warrant an Assessment

Car accident injuries don't always cause immediate pain. Watch for:

• Neck or back stiffness that appears 24–72 hours after the accident
• Headaches that develop or worsen in the days following the collision
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the arms or legs
• Dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty concentrating
Pain that limits your ability to work, drive, or sleep

Symptoms can appear immediately after a collision or develop over the following days, and often shift over the first 4–6 weeks of recovery. Beyond neck pain, people frequently experience headaches, dizziness, fatigue, shoulder or upper back discomfort, jaw pain, or disrupted sleep. Because symptoms can evolve, ongoing monitoring by your physiotherapist during this window helps ensure your treatment plan stays matched to how you're actually recovering.