A neck sprain can develop in one or several soft tissues during abrupt movement such as in falls or vehicular accidents which causes the neck to flex into an extreme position.
What are the indications?
An individual with a neck sprain might suffer from a variety of symptoms such as the following:
- Pain particularly in the rear part of the neck that can be aggravated by movement
- Pain that intensifies a day or so after the injury
- Headache in the back part of the head
- Muscle spasms and pain in the upper part of the shoulder
Pain particularly in the rear part of the neck that can be aggravated by movement - Sore throat
- Numbness in the hand or arm
- Increased fatigue, irritability, difficulty sleeping and concentrating
- Tingling sensation or weakness in the arms
- Stiff neck or diminished range of motion
How is it diagnosed
When a neck sprain is diagnosed, the doctor will conduct a physical examination. During the physical exam, the doctor will ask how the injury occurred, check the range of motion of the neck and if there are any point tenderness.
An X-ray is also performed to closely check the bones in the neck. This assessment will allow the doctor to rule out or identify other possible sources of neck pain such as dislocations, spinal fractures, arthritis and other serious conditions.
Management
All cases of sprains or strains regardless of the location are treated in a similar manner. A neck sprain typically heals in a gradual manner with enough time and proper treatment. The individual might be required to use a soft collar around the neck to provide support to the head as well as alleviate the pressure on the ligaments to promote healing.
Pain medications such as ibuprofen or aspirin can reduce the pain and swelling. Muscle relaxants can be used to alleviate the spasms.
An ice pack can be applied for 15-30 minutes at a time several times throughout the day for the initial 2-3 days after the injury to reduce the discomfort and inflammation. Even though heat can help loosen cramped muscles, it should not be applied too quickly.
Disclaimer / More Information
The information posted on this page on a neck sprain is for learning and educational purposes only. To learn to more about sprains including on the neck, register for first aid training at one of our training centers located throughout Canada. The training centers are located in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Calgary, Vancouver, Kelowna, Surrey, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax.