Symptoms of Neck Strain and ways to deal with it
Neck strains can range from being mild pain to severe and may limit head movements for basic tasks, such as getting dressed or looking other side. Knowing the symptoms of neck strain can help identify the problem sooner and find a good solution for it.
Common symptoms of neck strain are as below
• Pain, especially in the back of the neck, that worsens with movement.
• Pain that peaks a day or so after the injury, instead of immediately.
• Muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulder.
• Headache in the back of the head.
• Increased irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
• Moving the neck in one or more directions may be difficult. Neck stiffness from a strain is due to swelling and/or muscles tightening to guard against further injury.
How to deal with neck strain?
Neck strain is a very common condition in all ages of population. Proper and immediate treatment will help you come out of it sooner. Let’s discuss treatments available for neck strain.
1. Hot or cold pack – for first 48 hrs. to 72 hrs. reduce inflammation by applying cold, such as an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel, for up to 15 minutes several times a day. After 72 hrs of pain onset you can switch to hot fomentation by using hot water bag or moist heat towel wrap.
2. Medications – your doctor may prescribe you with pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
3. Neck support – if your pain is very severe it is better to use neck support belt. So that your neck muscles offloaded and get relax.
4. Improve your posture - one of the most common cause of neck strain is working or keeping head and neck in wrong positions for longer period of time. So one should keep head and neck properly align and supported while working or sleeping.
5. Physical therapy. A physical therapist will design a physical therapy program that targets muscles in the neck and elsewhere that need to become stronger and more flexible. Typically, a physical therapy program begins with instruction on how to do the exercises and stretches. After gradually making process over a period of a few weeks or months, the patient continues the program on his or her own at home.
Most neck strains heal on their own, but finding the right treatment can help alleviate the pain while the injury is healing. Once you improve your working postures and strengthen your muscles, there are less chances of recurrence.
Here at HealthQrehab, we have Dr. Praniti Bhilpawar, Physiotherapist who is taking care of musculoskeletal issues since 15 years online as well as offline. Feel free to contact us for further information.
References –
1. www.wikipaedia.com
2. www.spine-health.com
3. www.healthline.com
Common symptoms of neck strain are as below
• Pain, especially in the back of the neck, that worsens with movement.
• Pain that peaks a day or so after the injury, instead of immediately.
• Muscle spasms and pain in the upper shoulder.
• Headache in the back of the head.
• Increased irritability, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and difficulty concentrating.
• Moving the neck in one or more directions may be difficult. Neck stiffness from a strain is due to swelling and/or muscles tightening to guard against further injury.
How to deal with neck strain?
Neck strain is a very common condition in all ages of population. Proper and immediate treatment will help you come out of it sooner. Let’s discuss treatments available for neck strain.
1. Hot or cold pack – for first 48 hrs. to 72 hrs. reduce inflammation by applying cold, such as an ice pack or ice wrapped in a towel, for up to 15 minutes several times a day. After 72 hrs of pain onset you can switch to hot fomentation by using hot water bag or moist heat towel wrap.
2. Medications – your doctor may prescribe you with pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications.
3. Neck support – if your pain is very severe it is better to use neck support belt. So that your neck muscles offloaded and get relax.
4. Improve your posture - one of the most common cause of neck strain is working or keeping head and neck in wrong positions for longer period of time. So one should keep head and neck properly align and supported while working or sleeping.
5. Physical therapy. A physical therapist will design a physical therapy program that targets muscles in the neck and elsewhere that need to become stronger and more flexible. Typically, a physical therapy program begins with instruction on how to do the exercises and stretches. After gradually making process over a period of a few weeks or months, the patient continues the program on his or her own at home.
Most neck strains heal on their own, but finding the right treatment can help alleviate the pain while the injury is healing. Once you improve your working postures and strengthen your muscles, there are less chances of recurrence.
Here at HealthQrehab, we have Dr. Praniti Bhilpawar, Physiotherapist who is taking care of musculoskeletal issues since 15 years online as well as offline. Feel free to contact us for further information.
References –
1. www.wikipaedia.com
2. www.spine-health.com
3. www.healthline.com
