Shoulder Injury From Car Accident in Chicago
Upper back and shoulder pain can be a major factor in interrupting a person’s daily activities. The shoulders and upper back contain various muscles, ligaments, nerves, arteries, and bones that can cause a great deal of pain when injured in a car accident.
There are several injuries and conditions that can result from a car accident, such as a dislocated shoulder, strained muscles near the neck, and a herniated disc in the cervical area of the spine. The spinal cord is the most important area in the upper back that can have serious repercussions if not treated properly. Generally, car accidents cause muscles and ligaments to become inflamed when hit directly, and they will be in a lot of pain for several days, weeks, or months, depending on the type of injury a person sustains.
If the pain in your shoulder and upper back has become constant, damage to part of your cervical spine may have occurred during the car accident. Once pain begins, a patient’s first priority should be to schedule an evaluation with a chiropractor. A chiropractor can treat many conditions related to the spine and back, and there is no reason for pain to continue after being treated regularly. Our non-invasive approach to pain relief and injury recovery has been shown to have very successful results.
SHOULDER INJURIES AND THE CAUSES OF UPPER BACK PAIN
These are some of the most common injuries that can result from a car accident.
- Clavicle Fracture: Falling onto an outstretched arm can cause the clavicle to fracture.
- Fractured shoulder: An injury to the scapula is usually associated with relatively heavy trauma.
- Rotator cuff injuries: The rotator cuff can be injured by constant throwing or repetitive use.
- Shoulder Rupture or A-C Rupture: The clavicle and shoulder blade can be injured when the ligament that connects them is stretched or torn.
- Whiplash Injury: Ligament and muscle strain are a result of whiplash and are caused by sudden acceleration or deceleration, such as in a car accident.
SHOULDER INJURIES AND THE CAUSES OF UPPER BACK PAIN
When a patient is suffering from shoulder pain and upper back pain, a chiropractor will usually want to closely examine X-rays or MRIs and perform a physical exam to make a proper evaluation. Currently measuring pain is one of the most difficult things for doctors because it is about communication and establishing a dialogue about pain between the patient and the doctor, and it can be difficult depending on the amount of information that must be obtained in Little time.
Doctors will assess the pain and determine if it is intermittent or constant, what type of pain is occurring (for example, stabbing, burning, etc.), what is causing the pain, when it is most likely to occur during the day, and what amount of pain the patient has on a scale of 0-10. After establishing a dialogue about the patient’s situation and understanding the magnitude of the pain, the doctors will ask about the previous treatments and the medicines that are being taken.
Some doctors may ask the patient to keep a pain log that demonstrates the level of pain that occurs. This will help doctors better understand patterns in the situation. A good evaluation will help doctors understand what type of treatment will best suit the patient and help ease the amount of stress they are under.
Don’t let shoulder pain and upper back pain keep you from participating in life! Depending on your condition, a chiropractor may be able to help you. Schedule your free consultation today.
If you have questions or would like to meet with one of our doctors, please contact our chiropractors in Chicago to get the appropriate treatment for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
