SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 17, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A Sarasota chiropractor seeks to warn the public about the potential injuries caused by auto accidents, as well as the urgent need for immediate evaluation and treatment. Dr. Abe Kozma, DC of Sarasota Chiropractic, Physical Therapy & Massage states that automotive impacts can create serious musculoskeletal and nerve problems which only worsen the longer they go untreated.

Sarasota chiropractor Dr. Abe Kozma, DC is warning people to get immediate care following a car accident. "Even when people walk away from these accidents without a visible scratch, a thorough chiropractic examination should be performed to look for pinched nerves, herniated discs, and spinal misalignments," he said.

The practitioner explains that even when car accidents occur at very low speeds, airbags, seatbelts and shoulder harnesses can't prevent all injuries. These same safety devices, he adds, can contribute to the injuries sustained even as they save occupants' lives. "Belts hold the body onto the seat while the neck and head go flying forward, adding to the risk of whiplash when the head rebounds back again," he said. Dr. Kozma cites torn muscles, strained connective tissues, cervical misalignments, cervical disc herniation, and pinched nerves as common injuries associated with whiplash. These injuries, he adds, can conspire to cause headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, neck pain, and tingling in the hands or arms.

Dr. Kozma is quick to point out that whiplash is not the only kind of damage suffered in auto accidents. He notes that similar kinds of nerve, disc and soft tissue damage can occur lower in the spinal column, especially if the shoulder harness promotes a twisting of the spine during the impact. He states that such an injury may cause back pain, leg or buttock pain, and tingling or numbness in the feet.

The chiropractor stresses, however, that not all auto accident injuries display symptoms on impact. "The damage done may not cause pain right away -- and this is actually a problem, because pain is what alerts people to the fact that they've been hurt and need care," he said. Over time, explains Dr. Kozma, the body may try to protect injured muscles by covering them in abnormal scar tissue known as adhesions. These adhesions inhibit both proper healing and pain-free motion.

Dr. Kozma advises anyone who has experienced an auto accident to get evaluated immediately for spinal, nerve, or soft tissue damage. He notes that chiropractic evaluations can detect even small spinal problems before complications set in. "We use natural healing methods such as adjustment, acupuncture, and massage therapy to correct imbalances, relieve pain, and set the stage for successful rehabilitation and healing," he emphasized.

In addition to the treatment of car accident injuries, Sarasota Chiropractic, Physical Therapy & Massage also provides sports injury treatment, preventative wellness care, and pain management services.