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Sports Injuries: Neck Strain
Neck sprains refer to a ligament sprain or muscle strain in the neck. This injury is most typically associated with the term ‘whiplash’ (common in a car accident) but also occur frequently during sports, when occurring due to sport they are the result of a fall, impact or hard contact.
There are seven cervical vertebrae in the neck which are connected to each other by ligaments. A sprain occurs when these ligaments are stretched or torn beyond their normal range of motion. This may happen during sudden movements that cause the neck to extend and then snap back, with extreme force, this is what happens when you have been in a car accident and get ‘whiplash’
Common symptoms of a neck sprain include:
- Pain in the back of the neck that increases with any movement
- Pain on the sides of the neck
- Delayed onset neck pain that shows up 24 to 48 hours after a neck injury
- Muscle spasms or pain in the upper regions of the shoulders back and shoulders
- Headache at the back of the head
- Sore throat
- Irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping and difficulty concentrating
- Stiffness / decreased range of motion in the neck
- Tingling, numbness or weakness in the hands or arms
Treatment
It is important to have a doctor 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.
Immediate relief and early treatment can be attained by following this treatment plan;
R est
I ce
C ompresstion
E levation
Neck sprains are painful and can take a long 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, also avoid any heavy duty physical activity which involves the neck or upper body region as this could lead to a more serious injury.
Anti-inflammatory medications can help reduce the pain and any swelling. Muscle relaxants may be prescribed by your doctor to help reduce muscle spasms. Applying ice to the neck several times a day, for fifteen to twenty minutes at a time, for up to three days after the injury will help reduce inflammation and pain. Do not apply heat in the early stages of the injury as heat increases the circulation and increase swelling.
As mentioned earlier most symptoms of a neck strain will decrease in four to six weeks, but a severe injury can take even longer to heal completely. For this reason, it is wise to avoid a return to contact sports until several months of being pain-free. You may also benefit from a visit to a physical therapist to ensure a safe and appropriate return to exercise.
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