Seat Belt Injuries & Treatment

Focus Physiotherapy is family of physiotherapist owned clinics, our registered physiotherapists understand all the different types of injuries that result from car accidents.

We decided to devote a page to seatbelt injuries since most people have difficulty recognizing why they have so much pain following a car accident if their body did not hit the windshield or the dash.

It is understood and proven that the seatbelt saves lives. Yet seatbelts do cause injuries in their role as life savers.

Focus Physiotherapy is different from other clinics

The team of registered physiotherapists at Focus Physiotherapy understands what to look for and what questions to ask to ensure nothing is overlooked in creating a treatment plan for your recovery.

As a physiotherapist owned clinic we employ full time registered physiotherapists.  We practice patient centred care and our goal is to assist you in reaching maximum possible physical recovery.

We know that there are many places that say they offer “physiotherapy”.  Take a closer look and you will see many do not have registered physiotherapists on staff and if they do, often they only employ them part time.

Registered Physiotherapists are the most appropriate health professionals to deliver the profession of physiotherapy.  Registered with the College of Physiotherapists they are bound by a duty of care to deliver the best possible service they can.

A registered physiotherapist operating within a physiotherapist owned clinic we believe is the foundation for the best possible setting for recovery from traumatic injuries.

Our caring assessments by registered physiotherapists will look at all aspects of your trauma and we will determine the most appropriate treatment plan to address you injuries.

Focus Physiotherapy understands seat belt injuries may not always seem immediately obvious. The following are symptoms to watch for after an accident that can indicate further damages from the seat belt.

Bleeding

Blood in the urine or stools can indicate internal damage caused by the pressure of the seat belt. The organs can become compressed and create urinary tract or bladder damage. In addition to bleeding when voiding, accident victims should also watch for any changes in bowel movements or urination. Endometriosis or colon obstruction can result from seat belt trauma causing bleeding and constipation, report doctors at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. Coughing up or vomiting blood could indicate lung damage, respiratory tract injury or stomach problems.

Weakness

Weakness in the legs can result from damage to the lower back, the abdomen or spinal nerves. The weakness may appear in one or both legs. General feelings of dizziness or weakness could indicate symptoms of shock or internal organ damage.

Bruising

When the seat belt is pulled in a crash, bruising and muscle strains can occur in the area over which the seat belt was tugged. Swelling and skin discoloration can commonly result and usually dissipates in a couple days.

Breathing Difficulties

When a person has trouble breathing following an accident, they may have sustained damage to the organs in their chest from the pressure of the set belt. Heart or lung damage can make breathing difficult.

Stiff Neck

While a person may become sore from the pressure of the seat belt, lingering signs of more serious damage to the neck should be monitored. A whiplash injury results when the torso is held in place and the head snaps. Increasing stiffness or pain in the neck may result if a spinal injury occurred because of whiplash.

Abdominal Pain

When the seat belt crosses the kidneys and delivers a serious blunt force, the first symptoms include abdominal pain and pain in the area between the hips and ribs, report doctors at Merck. Low blood pressure and anemia can result from the blood loss. Untreated, kidney damage can lead to delayed bleeding, infections and kidney failure.

If you present with these symptoms following a car accident we can help.