Why Ski and Snowboard Falls Can Lead to Wrist, Elbow, Shoulder, and Collarbone Pain
Ski and snowboard season is officially here in Colorado, and with it comes a long list of common winter injuries. Many riders expect wrist soreness or shoulder tightness after a fall on the mountain, but what surprises people is how often these issues linger or show up weeks later.
Even a light fall can create a chain reaction through the entire arm. For some people, this results in wrist or elbow pain. For others, it ends up in the shoulder or collarbone, particularly the acromioclavicular (AC) and sternoclavicular (SC) joints. The key is understanding how all these joints influence one another.
At Champagne Chiropractic, we see these winter patterns every year, and the solution is often found by looking at how the whole arm and shoulder function together.
How Falls on the Mountain Create a Chain Reaction Through Your Arm
When you catch yourself during a fall, your body absorbs the impact in a predictable sequence:
The wrist takes the first force
The elbow absorbs the next portion
The shoulder and collarbone take the remaining stress
The AC and SC joints may become irritated if the force continues up the chain
This is why two riders can fall the exact same way but feel pain in completely different places. It depends on which joint in the chain absorbed the most stress and which joints were already tight or compensating before the fall.
Common Symptoms After Skiing or Snowboarding Falls
Because the entire upper body can be involved in absorbing force, symptoms can vary widely:
Wrist Symptoms
Pain with gripping or pushing
Clicking or stiffness
Limited range of motion after catching yourself in a fall
Elbow Symptoms
Tenderness on the inside or outside of the elbow
Pain with pushing up from the ground
Tension during carrying or lifting
Shoulder and Collarbone Symptoms
Achiness at the top of the shoulder
Tenderness along the collarbone
Pain with overhead movements
Difficulty sleeping on one side
All of these issues can start with the same mechanism: bracing during a fall.
Why Pain Often Shows Up Later
You might feel fine after a day on the mountain, then notice pain days or weeks later. This happens because:
A stiff wrist can force the elbow to compensate
A restricted elbow changes how the shoulder moves
A tight shoulder increases strain on the AC or SC joints
Your body can temporarily “work around” the issue until it no longer can
The true source of the discomfort is often not where the pain shows up. This is why a full-body evaluation matters.
How Chiropractic Care Helps With Wrist, Elbow, Shoulder, and Collarbone Issues
At Champagne Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to winter sports injuries. Instead of only treating the painful area, we assess how each joint in the arm and shoulder contributes to the issue.
Your visit may include:
Wrist adjustments to restore normal joint motion after impact
Elbow evaluations to identify hidden restrictions or compensations
Shoulder and collarbone assessments, including the AC and SC joints
Posture screening software to show how the upper body is shifting or compensating
Functional testing for push strength, overhead motion, grip, and stability
By restoring mobility through the wrist, elbow, shoulder, and collarbone, the body distributes force the way it is meant to. This often leads to faster recovery and a more confident return to the mountain.
When to Get Checked
If you have noticed:
Wrist pain after catching yourself
Elbow tension during pushing or lifting
Collarbone tenderness
Shoulder stiffness or instability
A sense that something feels “off” after a fall
A comprehensive assessment can help you address the issue early, before it turns into a longer-term limitation.
Winter sports place unique demands on the body. With the right care and proper joint function, you can ski and ride comfortably all season.
