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Neck Strain
The stretching or tearing of the muscles or ligaments encasing the cervical spine (a portion of the spine within the neck) is called as neck strain. Neck is prone to injury because the amount of muscles and ligaments around the cervical spine is small compared to that in the other spine regions such as thoracic, lumbar and sacral.
How does Neck Strain occur?
Neck strain may occur with the forcible movement of head and neck as in the case of whiplash injury. As the muscles in the neck have to hold the head up, they are under constant stress. Due to stress the muscles get tightened leading to pain in the neck. Sometimes the sudden and sharp movement causes tearing of the muscles and ligaments. Neck strain can be caused by injury in an accident. You may also suffer neck strain when you sit in front of computer screen for a long time or keep your face on one side while you are asleep.
Neck Strain Symptoms
- A feeling of hardness or tightness is felt on neck muscles.
- A sharp pain or aching is felt in the neck.
- It pains while turning the head sideways.
- Headache may occur with spasm of muscles.
- Inability to perform routine works
- Nerve problems such as weakness, numbness, tingling, incoordination, and dizziness
- Difficulty in chewing, swallowing, and breathing
Neck Strain First Aid :
- Give rest to your neck and treat it through R.I.C.E. method (Rest , Ice , Compression , Elevation ).
- Visit health care provider could provide you with muscle relaxing medication.
- Support your neck and protect it from any further injury by wearing a neck collar.
- Visit a physical therapist for massaging.
- Visit a sports injury specialist who can suggest some rehabilitation programme.
How can I prevent Neck Strain?
The first and foremost requirement to prevent neck strain is to have strong and flexible neck muscles. In case your job entails being in one position all the day like working on a computer allthrough the day, you should take a pause at regular intervals to relax your neck muscles. Most of the episodes of neck strain occur during unpreventable accident. Therefore the chances of neck strain can be reduced by trying to avoid accidents. Physical activities such as walking, riding a bike, jogging or swimming help you stay in good aerobic shape and keep your neck and back fit.
When to See a Doctor?
- Call your doctor if you experience severe and unrelenting pain in neck.
- In case neck pain remains unaffected by changes in position or remains controlled even with the appropriate medication, you must see your doctor without delay.
- Call your doctor if you experience severe neck pain in night.
- Call your doctor if you have severe and persistent neck muscle spasms.
- If your are unable to perform routine works or activities, you should see your doctor.
- Seek immediate medical attention if the symptoms suggest possible injury to the vital structures in your neck such as weakness, numbness, tingling, breathing problem, dizziness, headache, nausea and vomiting, ringing in the ears or decrease in hearing capacity.
- If you fall sick or receive injury again when you are already having neck pain, you must call your doctor.
- Call your doctor if the symptoms suggest a problem affecting the nervous system, airway, or spinal cord.