Distracted driving is the main cause of car accidents. It kills nine people every day in America. Even if you are lucky enough to survive, injuries can occur.
It’s not unusual for people to experience internal bleeding or broken bones. As well as whiplash, shoulder injuries are quite common. These injuries can limit your movement and cause long-term pain. Do you feel pain in your shoulders after a car accident or other injuries? What can you do to alleviate it? You’re in the right place! Below, we’ll cover everything you need to know. Continue reading to find out more.
What Causes Shoulder pain?
Shoulder pain can result from multiple car accidents. It could be caused by a torn Rotator Cuff, which is a group of muscles surrounding the shoulder joint. You may also be thrown against the steering wheel by the force of the collision, which can cause damage to the soft tissues. You may also have whiplash injuries from a car accident. This injury can cause pain in the neck but it can also radiate down to the shoulders and arms.
Signs and symptoms of Shoulder Injuries
Many symptoms can result from shoulder injuries:
- Shooting pain
- Tingling or
- Nullness
- Feel the heat
- Loss of motion
Sometimes, your arm might become stiff or tender. Tenderness and stiffness are also common.
Treatment of Shoulder Pain Following a Car Accident
There are many ways to treat shoulder pain. It all depends on the severity and cause of the injury.
Medications
You have a variety of options for pain relief. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal-inflammatory drugs. They are great for pain relief and can also reduce inflammation. Corticosteroids can also be prescribed or referred to a specialist. These can either be taken orally or injected into the shoulder.
Applying Ice
Ice can also be applied to the affected area. The idea is to do this between three and four times per day, for 15 to 20 minutes each.
However, you shouldn’t put the ice directly onto the skin. Instead, wrap it in a towel to prevent frostbite.
Shoulder Adjustments
There are many issues that can occur when your shoulders move out of alignment. These include pain, inflammation, and muscle spasms. To restore normal alignment, gentle chiropractic adjustments can be made to the shoulder. The treatment can include manual shoulder adjustments as well as equipment such as a drop table, speeder board, or reflex-type Hammer tool. Your neck and upper back can be adjusted to reduce shoulder pain.
Chiropractic care has many health benefits.
- Increased motion range
- Muscle strength and tone increases
- Inflammation is reduced
- You will feel less pain
- Improved flexibility
These benefits will not only improve your immediate ease but also prevent injury to your shoulders and other body parts. For example, improvements in flexibility, motion, strength, and mobility can reduce your chances of falling, breaking bones, or spraining your ankles. You can use the education gained from this process in preventive medicine. This will allow you to have a better posture over the long term.
Tampa Auto Accident Doctor
It is important to choose the right doctor to treat you if you have been in an accident. We will work with you to develop a conservative and customized approach for your healing. Our team is available to assist you. You can also schedule an appointment online, call us, or visit our clinics if you have any questions.
This article was written by an auto accident doctor at Florida Medical Pain Management.