Shoulder Pain and Car Crashes

If you are suffering from shoulder pain after an auto injury, don't despair. Dr. Conlee sees this type of problem frequently in our Tucson office. The key to recovering from shoulder pain caused by a crash is to understand the root cause of the problem and how chiropractic care can help.

There are at least two ways that you can develop shoulder problems after a car crash: by direct injury to the shoulder joint or by radiating pain from the neck.

Direct trauma can be caused by hitting your shoulder on a hard surface in the car during the impact, or can occur if you have a tight grip on the steering wheel during a rear end impact. With this type of trauma, you'll usually be aware of the pain soon after the crash.

More commonly, Dr. Conlee finds that shoulder or arm pain does not immediately appear after a crash, but begins a few days or weeks after the trauma. This type of shoulder discomfort actually starts in the neck. Injured ligaments or muscles in your spine can pinch nerves in your neck, causing tingling, numbness, or pain in your shoulder, elbow, or wrist.

We've treated both types of shoulder problems in our Tucson office. This care involves chiropractic adjustments to restore your spine's natural flexibility and exercises that strengthen your neck and shoulder.

If you've been hurt in a car crash and you're struggling with shoulder pain, Dr. Conlee is here to help. Dr. Conlee will first determine what's causing your pain and then work to restore your body to its natural functioning. Call us today at (520) 322-6161 if you have questions or would like to make an appointment.