AUTO INJURY RELIEF IN Comstock Park MI

Car accidents can be one of the most frightening and confusing experiences that a person can go through. Often the first thing that a person is concerned about following an automobile accident is the damage to their vehicle or their insurance coverage. This results in them neglecting the most important part, which is their individual health. Seeking proper care in a timely fashion is the most vital aspect of determining the overall outcome of your condition. This article is here to help you understand how chiropractors help car accident patients in Comstock Park MI. We hope it helps you to avoid the long-term problems we so often see.

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Common Injuries After Car Accident in Comstock Park MI

Unfortunately, many people believe that the most serious injuries sustained following car accidents are immediately noticeable. There is also a misconception that only high speed or hard impact collisions can cause serious damage to a person's body. It has been found that these two beliefs are largely responsible for the vast number of injuries that fail to receive treatment following automobile collisions. Therefore, the first thing to remember when making the decision to seek appropriate care is to understand that a large number of injuries can occur following many different types of collisions.

Following a car accident, a person must keep in mind that many factors such as the placement of a car's headrest, the size of both automobiles involved in the collision, and the speed that they were traveling prior at impact all play an important role in determining the injuries sustained. To help understand this concept, it has been shown through research that a car traveling only 5 mph at the time of impact is capable of producing the forces necessary to cause whiplash injuries.

While injuries such as fractures, cuts, concussions, and dislocations are immediately noticeable, other forms of damage to musculature, blood vessels, and nerves may not become evident for months or even years. Unfortunately, when these injuries become evident months and years down the road, insurance companies are often not held liable for reimbursement. Therefore it is important that you undergo a complete evaluation immediately following your accident by a health care professional familiar with these injuries. Your doctor at Gorbach Family Chiropractic is here to help you in this process.

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Common Auto Accident Injuries and Symptoms

There are numerous types of auto accident injuries that you could be experiencing, depending on your unique symptoms. By far the most common auto accident injury we see here in our office is that of whiplash. This occurs when the body is abruptly thrown forward (usually into a seat belt), thus causing tearing and damage to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments surrounding the thoracic (middle) and cervical (upper) spine. Usually, symptoms of whiplash don't arise until a day or two after the accident and may include:

• neck/back pain and stiffness
• headaches or migraines
• tingling or numb feeling
• nausea or dizziness

If you're experiencing any of these symptoms in the days following your auto accident, you should seek treatment as soon as possible.

Another common auto accident injury we see in our office is that of a slipped or herniated disc. This occurs when one or more of the discs between the vertebrae along the spinal column become compressed or dislodged as a result of trauma. The end result can be sharp, severe back or neck pain.

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How Chiropractic Care in Comstock Park MI Can Help

Fortunately, we offer a variety of chiropractic treatment options that can help you find relief from your symptoms. For example, spinal adjustments can be a very effective whiplash treatment. With the spinal adjustment, our chiropractor in Comstock Park manually improves the alignment of the spine to relieve pressure on nerves and increase overall spinal health. This is effective at promoting the healing of torn ligaments and muscles, especially when combined with massage therapy.

Another potential treatment for auto accident injuries is spinal decompression, which is often recommended for patients suffering from a herniated or bulging disc. By creating negative pressure throughout the spine and between the vertebrae, displaced discs can return to their proper positions. As a result, you can find relief from your pain.

Chiropractic treatment is a great alternative to more invasive procedures, such as surgeries. It also doesn't come with the inherent risk of side effects that pain medications do. Plus, with chiropractic therapies, we're able to treat your pain directly at its source rather than covering up the symptoms with medications.

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How can my chiropractor help?

As mentioned previously, chiropractors are one of the few primary health care providers who specialize in treating the musculoskeletal system. Just as a person consults with a cardiologist for concerns about their heart, many people seek care and advice from chiropractors regarding musculoskeletal injuries.

While whiplash injuries are not always immediately evident, they are actually considered one of the most common injuries sustained during car accidents. The strain that the forces causing whiplash injuries place on the spine is capable of causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, and nerves responsible for supporting your head and neck. If these seemingly minor injuries are not corrected, they often produce a waterfall effect leading to multiple neurological and musculoskeletal symptoms.

In fact, it has been found that whiplash injuries are often responsible for early degeneration of the vertebrae throughout your spine, as well as a multitude of symptoms such as pain and headaches. Since automobile injuries can involve many systems throughout the body, finding a doctor who is able to address each area is important. Our team at Gorbach Family Chiropractic in Comstock Park MI will create an individualized treatment plan that encompasses chiropractic adjustments, active and passive physical therapy, exercise programs, and possibly nutritional modifications to help speed up the recovery process.

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As you can see, seeking care immediately after an automobile accident in a Comstock Park MI can mean the difference between recovery and a lifetime of pain. If you have been in a car accident or know someone who has, please contact our team at Gorbach Family Chiropractic as soon as possible to schedule a consultation.