What Are Neck Injuries?

Neck Injuries

What are neck injuries?

Neck injuries can be minor or very serious, especially when there is damage to the spinal cord. Common neck injuries include spasms, strains, stingers, and fractures. Common causes of neck injuries include car or motorcycle accidents, sports injuries, and whiplash from amusement park rides.

· Spasm: Neck spasms are contractions of the muscles in your neck. The muscles become tight, hard, and painful. Neck spasms may occur from an injury, overuse, poor posture, or stress. For example, it is common for a person doing a lot of computer work to feel his or her neck stiffen. Spasms may even occur from an uncomfortable night's sleep.

· Strain: A strain is a tear of a muscle or tendon in your neck. Your neck is surrounded by small muscles, which run close to the vertebrae, and larger muscles. Neck strains most often occur when the head and neck are forcibly moved, such as in a whiplash injury or from contact in sports. Pain may start right after the injury or may take a few hours or days to develop. Other symptoms may include neck stiffness, headache, dizziness, or unusual sensations, such as burning or a pins-and-needles feeling.

· Stinger: A stinger, or burner, is an injury to the nerves that travel from your neck and down your arm. This injury often happens while playing contact sports, like football. It may occur when the shoulder is pushed down while the head is forced to the opposite side. It can also happen when the head is moved quickly to one side or the collarbone is hit directly. Stingers cause a burning or stinging feeling between the neck and shoulder and possibly in the arm. The arm or shoulder may feel numb, weak, and tingly.

· Fracture: The most serious neck injury is a fracture of a bone or bones in the neck. A fracture of the neck means that a bone (vertebra) of the neck is broken. A high-energy force or impact (like a motor vehicle crash, fall, or sports activity) can break bones in the neck. A fracture can cause the body to be paralyzed from the neck down if the broken bone injures the spinal cord. A fractured bone in the neck can cause severe pain, numbness and tingling, or complete paralysis.

What is the treatment?

Treatment depends on the type of neck injury.

· Neck spasms and strains are often treated with heat, ice, muscle relaxants, and physical therapy. Medical care for strains caused by whiplash may require wearing a soft neck collar for a short period of time. Most people recover from minor neck spasms and strains in a few days, but sometimes it takes months to recover.

· Stingers usually get better on their own. They usually last a few minutes, but may take several days or weeks to heal. Physical therapy may be needed to stretch and strengthen the muscles.

· Neck fracture treatment depends on the seriousness of the injury. A compression fracture, with the bones pushed into each other, can sometimes be treated by wearing a neck collar for 6 to 8 weeks. A more serious fracture may need traction, surgery, or a rigid frame to keep the neck from moving.

Anyone with a neck injury, even one that seems very minor, needs to remain lying down or, if standing, lie down carefully. If someone who is wearing a helmet may have a possible neck injury, do NOT remove the helmet. The head, shoulders, and neck must not be turned. Movement may mean more injury to the spinal cord, which could be the difference between a minor injury and paralysis.

If you think someone has broken or injured their neck, do not move the person unless there is an immediate threat to their life. Call 911 immediately. If moving is absolutely necessary to save the person, support the head and neck so it is in a straight line with the body and move the entire body, including the head and neck, as a single unit.

How can I prevent a neck injury?

There are many ways to lower your risk of having a neck injury.

· Always wear your seat belt when riding in a car.

· Never dive into a shallow pool or unknown lake, river, or other body of water.

· Always wear the right protective equipment when playing a sport.

· Follow the safety rules for sports and recreational activities.

· Avoid riding motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles.

· Do not drink when driving, swimming, or diving.

Neck Spasm Rehabilitation Exercises

You may do all of these exercises right away but avoid any movements that increase your pain.

· Neck rotation with flexion:

Right: Turn your head to the right and clasp your hands behind your head. Let the weight of your arms pull your chin to the right side of your chest. Relax. Hold for a count of 15. Do this 3 times.

Left: Turn your head to the left and clasp your hands behind your head. Let the weight of your arms pull your chin to the left side of your chest. Relax. Hold for a count of 15. Do this 3 times.

· Chin tuck: Place your fingertips on your chin and gently push your head straight back as if you are trying to make a double chin. Keep looking forward as your head moves back. Hold 5 seconds and repeat 5 times.

· Scalene stretch: This stretches the neck muscles that attach to your ribs. Sitting in an upright position, clasp both hands behind your back, lower your left shoulder, and tilt your head toward the right. Hold this position for 15 to 30 seconds and then come back to the starting position. Lower your right shoulder and tilt your head toward the left until you feel a stretch. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds. Repeat 3 times on each side.

· Neck rotation stretch

Right side: Rotate your neck by looking over your right shoulder. Lift your right hand and place your palm on the left side of your chin. Push your chin with your palm toward your right shoulder. Hold for a count of 10. Do this 3 times.

Left side: Rotate your neck by looking over your left shoulder. Lift your left hand and place your palm on the right side of your chin. Push your chin with your palm toward your left shoulder. Hold for a count of 10. Do this 3 times.

· Scapular squeeze: While sitting or standing with your arms by your sides, squeeze your shoulder blades together and hold for 5 seconds. Do 3 sets of 10.

· Thoracic extension: While sitting in a chair, clasp both arms behind your head. Gently arch backward and look up toward the ceiling. Repeat 10 times. Do this several times per day.

Written by Pierre Rouzier, MD, and Phyllis Clapis, PT, DHSc, OCS, for RelayHealth.

Published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2009-02-10
Last reviewed: 2008-12-01

This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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