Upper Back & Shoulder Pain from an Auto Accident

So much of what we do on a daily basis involve our shoulders and upper back. Pain in this area can disrupt your daily activities, both at work and at home.

The muscles, nerves, ligaments and bones in the upper back and shoulders can cause severe pain if injured in an auto accident.

When you’ve been in an auto accident, there are several injuries that can occur in your upper back and shoulder area, such as strained muscles, a dislocated shoulder, or a herniated disk in the cervical area of the spine. While all of these can cause severe pain and are all treatable, the spinal column is the most important thing to get examined after an auto accident. If not treated properly, an injury to the spine can have serious and long-lasting repercussions.

When impacted in an auto accident, muscles and ligaments will experience inflammation and become sore for a few days, and up to months. If pain in the shoulder or upper back persists, the cervical spine may have been injured. A full examination with a chiropractor should be performed as soon as pain presents itself. A chiropractor can treat many injuries in your shoulders and upper back, including your spine, using non-invasive methods that have proven results.

Causes of Upper Back & Shoulder Pain

How We Evaluate Upper Back & Shoulder Pain

There are two assessments a chiropractor will make when a patient is suffering from upper back and shoulder pain after an auto accident. The first is a physical assessment, including a close examination of x-rays or MRI scans and a physical examination. The second is a pain assessment. Measuring pain is difficult because it is highly subjective and therefore difficult to communicate. An open conversation between doctor and patient is critical to establish a baseline and quantify levels of pain a patient is experiencing.

During these conversations, a chiropractor will determine if a patient’s pain is intermittent or constant, the type of pain (stabbing, throbbing, burning, etc.), pain triggers, times of day when pain most often occurs, and the level of pain on a scale of 1 to 10. Doctors will also inquire about medical history, medications, and previous treatments.

In this way, a doctor can effectively assess a patient’s condition and determine the best course of treatment to repair the injury and relieve pain.

Upper back and shoulder pain are treatable, and they do not have to slow you down. A chiropractor can help you get back to normal, depending on your condition. Schedule a free consultation today.