Question
My 13 yr old  sustained what has now been termed a stinger almost a month ago while playing football.  The initial pain he had was clavicular, slight numbness in the arm, and had trouble with turning his neck.  Once things settled down, the pain is now located more along the scapula, and through another fall, he has re-exacerbated the pain along the side of his neck and has decreased sensation in the hand.  How would a chiropractor treat this as opposed to an orthopedic surgeon, and how long is the usual recovery for an injury such as this?  Thanks.

Answer
Hello Sue,

   A doctor of chiropractic will examine the affected joints and surrounding soft tissues, muscles etc.  Adjusting the vertebrea and performing myofascial/muscle work to help reduce scar tissue may help your son.  Orthopedic surgeon will perform surgery if necessary, chiropractors can not.  Treatment may last up to 2 months and a couple times per week, depending on the rate of recovery.

Hope the information is helpful,
Dr. Brendon O'Brien D.C.