Workplace Injury Care
Work Injury Chiropractor Grand Rapids
Hurt on the job? The Chiropractic Doctors in Grand Rapids provide workers' compensation evaluations, in-house x-rays, and treatment plans designed to get you back to work safely. We handle the documentation so you can focus on recovery.
New Patient Special
$47
Consultation, Exam & X-rays
Available for new patients only. We will confirm within 1 business hour.
Injuries We Treat
Common Workplace Injuries We Treat
Grand Rapids is home to a large manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare workforce. Workers in these industries put their bodies through repetitive motions, heavy lifting, prolonged standing, and awkward postures every day. Over time, or sometimes in a single incident, these demands cause injuries that chiropractic care is well equipped to treat. The most common workplace injuries we see at The Chiropractic Doctors include lower back strains from lifting, neck and shoulder injuries from repetitive overhead work, and herniated discs from sudden trauma.
Repetitive strain injuries are also extremely common among office workers, assembly line employees, and tradespeople in the Grand Rapids area. Carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff inflammation develop gradually from performing the same motion hundreds of times a day. These conditions start as minor discomfort and progress into chronic pain that interferes with your ability to do your job. Slip-and-fall accidents at work frequently cause back injuries, hip misalignment, and sprained ankles or wrists.
Whether your injury happened from a single accident or built up over weeks and months of repetitive work, Dr. Matthew Phinney and our team can evaluate the damage and create a treatment plan tailored to your job demands. Patients from Kentwood, Cascade, Wyoming, Forest Hills, and across Grand Rapids come to our 28th Street SE office for work injury evaluations because we understand the physical requirements of their jobs and factor that into every treatment decision.
Your Rights
Workers' Compensation and Chiropractic Care
Under Michigan law, you have the right to choose your own healthcare provider for a workplace injury. This includes chiropractors. You do not need your employer's approval or a referral from another doctor to schedule an evaluation at The Chiropractic Doctors. Workers' compensation insurance covers chiropractic treatment, including your initial evaluation, digital x-rays, adjustments, soft tissue therapy, rehabilitation, and follow-up visits.
Proper documentation is essential for any workers' compensation claim. Insurance carriers want to see a clear connection between the workplace incident and your injuries, along with a treatment plan that is reasonable and necessary. At our Grand Rapids office, we provide detailed records from day one. Your initial evaluation includes a thorough physical exam, orthopedic and neurological testing, range-of-motion measurements, and digital x-rays when clinically indicated. Each follow-up visit documents your progress, treatments provided, and functional improvements.
Our front desk team has experience working with workers' compensation carriers and can help you navigate the claims process. We handle the paperwork and communication with the insurance company so you can focus on getting better and getting back to work. If your claim has been denied or delayed, having thorough medical documentation from an experienced provider strengthens your position. Call (616) 432-3103 to schedule your work injury evaluation.
How We Help
Treatment Process for Work Injuries
Your first visit begins with a complete evaluation. Dr. Phinney, Dr. Drew Bailey, or Dr. Alec Papes will review the details of your injury, perform a physical examination, run orthopedic and neurological tests, and take in-house digital x-rays if clinically necessary. This evaluation identifies the specific structures that were damaged, whether it is a misaligned vertebra, a herniated disc, a strained muscle, or a compressed nerve.
Based on the findings, your doctor builds a treatment plan designed to reduce pain, restore function, and get you back to work as safely and quickly as possible. Chiropractic adjustments correct spinal misalignments that are compressing nerves or restricting motion. Soft tissue therapy addresses muscle strain and inflammation. Rehabilitation exercises rebuild the strength and flexibility needed to handle the physical demands of your job. We use Thompson Drop Table and Diversified techniques and adjust the approach based on the nature and severity of your injury.
Throughout your care, we track your progress with objective measurements. Range of motion, pain levels, and functional capacity are recorded at each visit. This creates a clear recovery timeline that your workers' comp carrier can follow. Many patients from Ada, Forest Hills, and throughout the Grand Rapids area complete their treatment within four to eight weeks, depending on the severity of the injury. Our goal is always full recovery, not just getting you past the pain.
Getting Back to Work
Returning to Work After an Injury
Getting back to work after an injury is about more than just pain relief. You need to be confident that your body can handle the physical demands of your job without reinjury. At The Chiropractic Doctors, we assess your functional capacity throughout your treatment and provide work-status updates that clearly communicate your abilities and any restrictions to your employer and insurance carrier.
Some patients are able to continue working with modifications during treatment, such as lighter duties, altered positions, or restricted lifting limits. Others need time off to allow their injuries to heal before returning. Dr. Phinney will make recommendations based on your specific injury and your job requirements. We understand that lost work time creates financial stress, and we work efficiently to get you back on the job as soon as it is medically safe to do so.
Before discharging you from care, we provide ergonomic recommendations and preventive exercises tailored to your workplace. If your injury was caused by repetitive motion or poor body mechanics, we teach you how to perform your tasks in a way that protects your spine and joints going forward. Workers from Kentwood, Wyoming, Cascade, and across Grand Rapids appreciate this practical guidance because it helps them stay healthy long after treatment is complete. Call (616) 432-3103 to schedule your evaluation.
Explore Our Services
Related Services
Rehabilitation
Structured rehabilitation programs to rebuild strength and get you back to full function after injury.
Learn more →Back Pain Treatment
Targeted treatment for lower and mid-back pain from lifting injuries, strains, and disc problems.
Learn more →Car Accident Chiropractor
Chiropractic care for motor vehicle accident injuries with insurance documentation.
Learn more →Common Questions
Work Injury Chiropractic FAQ
Can I see a chiropractor for a work injury in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan workers have the right to choose their own healthcare provider for a workplace injury. Chiropractors are recognized providers under Michigan workers' compensation law. You do not need a referral or your employer's permission to schedule an evaluation at The Chiropractic Doctors. Call (616) 432-3103 to get started.
Does workers' compensation cover chiropractic treatment?
Yes. Workers' compensation insurance in Michigan covers chiropractic care for injuries sustained on the job. This includes the initial evaluation, x-rays, adjustments, rehabilitation, and follow-up visits. Our office handles the necessary documentation and works directly with the workers' comp carrier on your behalf.
How soon after a work injury should I see a chiropractor?
As soon as possible. Early evaluation creates a medical record that ties your injury to the workplace incident, which is essential for your workers' compensation claim. It also allows us to begin treatment before the injury worsens. We offer same-week appointments for work injury patients in Grand Rapids and the surrounding areas.
What should I bring to my first appointment for a work injury?
Bring your workers' compensation claim number if you have one, the date and details of the injury, your employer's name and contact information, and any medical records from an emergency room or urgent care visit if applicable. Our front desk team will guide you through the process.
Can chiropractic care help me avoid surgery for a work injury?
In many cases, yes. Chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation, and soft tissue therapy can resolve back injuries, neck injuries, and repetitive strain conditions without surgery. Dr. Phinney will evaluate your specific situation and recommend the most conservative effective treatment. If surgery is needed, we will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
START FEELING BETTER
Schedule your visit today
Start Feeling Better Today
Injured at work? We can help you recover.
Three doctors, 35+ years of experience, and 474 Google reviews. Schedule your $47 new patient consultation at The Chiropractic Doctors.
5747 28th Street Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49546