Neck Strain - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment

Sprains and strains are soft tissue injuries. A strain affects muscles and tendons, while sprains affect ligaments. While these soft tissues provide reinforcement of the cervical vertebrae, they can be stressed and forced to the point of injury. Excessive flexion (bending forward) and extension (stretching out) activities, especially when combined with poor posture and movement mechanics, will lead to injury.

A neck strain is when the neck is quickly whipped forward and back. It is also called a "whiplash." This injury is usually caused by contact sports or an accident, such as a car accident. This may cause stress and stretching of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, or other neck tissue. Ask your caregiver for more information about other ways to treat your injury.

Causes

If a person is suddenly accelerated forwards (eg. In a rear-end automobile Accident), the head has a tendency to remain behind and the neck is bent Backwards suddenly and excessively. The ligaments and muscles on the front Of the vertebral column and neck are stretched and torn (sprained). In severe Cases, nerve fibers may also be overstretched and damaged.

Automobile accidents are responsible for many whiplash injuries because of hyperextension or hyperflexion. A common scenario is when a seat-belted person's head continues to move forward during a frontal impact and is then often thrown backward (the converse is also true). Side impacts typically result in bending of the head to that side, and rear impact tends to throw the head backward. Any or all of these movements usually result in whiplash.

Symptoms

You literally have a pain in the neck. When these muscles go into spasm you feel hard, tight muscles in your neck that are very tender to the touch. You have pain when you move your head to either side or when you try to move your head up or down. The spasming muscles can cause headaches.

Sometimes symptoms of whiplash appear right away. Sometimes they do not develop until hours, days, or weeks after the injury occurs. Symptoms of whiplash include pain or stiffness in the neck, jaw, shoulders, or arms, dizziness, headache, loss of feeling in an arm or hand, nausea and vomiting.

Treatment

It is important to have a physician evaluate your injury to rule out anything serious. Once a diagnosis of sprain or strain is confirmed, the treatment is the same as other soft tissue injuries. First aide includes R.I.C.E. therapy (rest, ice, compression and elevation). Neck sprains are painful and take time to heal, so you may need to wear a soft cervical collar to help support the head and relieve pressure on the neck while ligaments heal.

After the assessment of your condition by your doctor, a plan will be formulated, in conjunction with you and your family, to treat your injuries. Consideration will be given to the length of time that might be involved for recovery. The vast majority of neck strains heal themselves with appropriate supportive self-care alone. Many people do not need specific medical intervention.

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