Definition
A neck sprain is the stretching and/or tearing of neck ligaments. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other. In mild sprains, the ligaments are stretched too far. Severe sprains will have partial tears in the ligaments.
Causes
A neck sprain results from sudden movement. The movement causes the neck to go too far forward or back.
Risk Factors
Incidents that increase your chance of neck sprain include:
- Car accidents (known as whiplash)
- Assaults with a blow to the head
- Sporting events that include full contact
- Strain of the upper back or shoulder
- Falls
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
- Neck pain, especially in the back of the neck, that gets worse with movement
- Shoulder pain and muscle spasms
- Tingling sensations or weakness in the arms
- Headache, especially in the back of the head
- Difficulty sleeping
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Irritability
- Stiffness and difficulty moving the head:
- Side to side
- Up and down
- In a circular motion
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and how you injured your neck. Your neck will be examined. Your doctor will check the stability of your neck and the severity of the injury. Other sources of neck pain may need to be ruled out before your doctor can confirm a neck sprain.
Tests may be done to rule out other conditions that cause neck pain. These can include dislocations, spinal fractures, arthritis, and cervical disc disease. Your doctor may need pictures of your neck and spine. These pictures can be taken by:
- X-rays
- MRI scan
- CT scan
Treatment
Treatment may include:
Activity
In most cases, you should continue to move your neck. Go about your normal activities as much as you can tolerate.
Medication
Your doctor may recommend:
- Over-the-counter pain medicine (such as, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen, aspirin)
- Medicated cream or patches that are placed on the skin
- Prescription muscle relaxants to ease muscle spasms
Ice and Heat
To help reduce pain:
- Apply ice or a cold pack to the neck for 15-20 minutes. Repeat four times a day for 2-3 days. Cold will help reduce swelling. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
- Moist heat helps loosen tight or injured muscles. Wait for swelling to go away before using heat therapy.
Therapy
Physical therapy may be recommended. Therapy appointments may include:
- Massage—to help increase blood flow and reduce tension.
- Cervical traction—a special technique to stretch the neck and reduce muscle spasm.
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
Prevention
To reduce your risk of neck sprain:
- Drive carefully to avoid car accidents.
- Wear your seat/shoulder belt.
- Avoid contact sports.
- Do exercises that strengthen the neck muscles.