Cervical Strain and Sprain With Rehab
Cervical strain and sprain are injuries that affect the bones in the neck (cervical spine) and the soft tissues in the neck. A strain is when muscles or tissues (tendons) that connect muscles to bones stretch or tear. A sprain is when the tissues (ligaments) that connect bones stretch or tear. Cervical strains and sprains usually happen because of "whiplash" injuries. Whiplash is when the neck is forcefully whipped backward or forward.
This condition can range from mild to severe. Severe injuries can damage the spinal cord and affect the nerves. Generally, recovery is possible in 1 week to 3 months.
CAUSES
This condition is commonly caused by a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries often happen because of motor vehicle accidents or contact sports. It may also be caused by: • A fall. • A hard, direct hit or injury (trauma) to the neck. RISK FACTORS This condition is more likely to develop in: • People who participate in contact sports, diving, or auto racing. • People who use incorrect tackling technique. • People who wear equipment that is not properly padded or does not fit correctly. • People who take risks when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, such as speeding. • People who have osteoarthritis of the spine. • People who have poor strength and flexibility of the neck. • People who have had a previous neck injury. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of this condition may include: • Pain in the neck. You may feel this in the front of the neck, the back of the neck, or both. • Stiffness in the neck and shoulders. • Swelling in the neck? • Dizziness. • Nausea. • Vomiting. • Headache. • Muscle spasms in the neck. • Numbness or weakness in the arms. This may be a sign of nerve damage. • Redness, swelling, and worse pain at the site of the injury, if this applies. Symptoms may develop immediately after injury, or they may take up to 24 hours to develop. In some cases, symptoms may go away with treatment and return (recur) over time. DIAGNOSIS This condition is diagnosed based on your medical history, your symptoms, and a physical exam. You may have tests, including X-rays of your neck. TREATMENT This condition is treated by resting and icing the injured area. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may also include: • Wearing a cervical collar. This is a device that supports your chin and the back of your head. • Medicines to help relieve pain and inflammation, such as NSAIDs. • Physical therapy. • Cervical traction. This is a sling that holds up your head. This removes weight and pressure from your neck, and relieves pain. • Surgery (rare). This may be necessary if you have a cervical strain or sprain that is present at birth (congenital cause?), or if you have nerve damage. HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS Managing Pain, Stiffness, and Swelling • Use a cervical collar, cervical pillow, or cervical traction apparatus only as told by your health care provider. • If directed, apply ice to the injured …show more content…
Stretching should never cause pain.
STRETCH - Axial Extensors
1 Lie on your back on the floor. You may bend your knees for comfort. Place a rolled-up towel, about 2 inches in diameter, under the part of your head that makes contact with the floor.
2 Gently tuck your chin by moving it down toward your neck until you feel a stretch at the back of your head.
3 Hold for __________ seconds.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times per day.
STRETCH - Axial Extension
1 Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand.
2 Look straight ahead and slowly move your chin back, toward your neck. Your head should slide back and your chin should be slightly lowered.
3 Stop when you feel a stretch in the back of your head.
4 Hold for __________ seconds.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times per day.
STRETCH – Cervical Side Bend
1 Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand.
2 Without moving your shoulders, slowly tilt your right / left ear to your shoulder until you feel a stretch in your neck muscles. You should be looking straight
Cervical strain and sprain are injuries that affect the bones in the neck (cervical spine) and the soft tissues in the neck. A strain is when muscles or tissues (tendons) that connect muscles to bones stretch or tear. A sprain is when the tissues (ligaments) that connect bones stretch or tear. Cervical strains and sprains usually happen because of "whiplash" injuries. Whiplash is when the neck is forcefully whipped backward or forward.
This condition can range from mild to severe. Severe injuries can damage the spinal cord and affect the nerves. Generally, recovery is possible in 1 week to 3 months.
CAUSES
This condition is commonly caused by a whiplash injury. Whiplash injuries often happen because of motor vehicle accidents or contact sports. It may also be caused by: • A fall. • A hard, direct hit or injury (trauma) to the neck. RISK FACTORS This condition is more likely to develop in: • People who participate in contact sports, diving, or auto racing. • People who use incorrect tackling technique. • People who wear equipment that is not properly padded or does not fit correctly. • People who take risks when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, such as speeding. • People who have osteoarthritis of the spine. • People who have poor strength and flexibility of the neck. • People who have had a previous neck injury. SYMPTOMS Symptoms of this condition may include: • Pain in the neck. You may feel this in the front of the neck, the back of the neck, or both. • Stiffness in the neck and shoulders. • Swelling in the neck? • Dizziness. • Nausea. • Vomiting. • Headache. • Muscle spasms in the neck. • Numbness or weakness in the arms. This may be a sign of nerve damage. • Redness, swelling, and worse pain at the site of the injury, if this applies. Symptoms may develop immediately after injury, or they may take up to 24 hours to develop. In some cases, symptoms may go away with treatment and return (recur) over time. DIAGNOSIS This condition is diagnosed based on your medical history, your symptoms, and a physical exam. You may have tests, including X-rays of your neck. TREATMENT This condition is treated by resting and icing the injured area. Depending on the severity of your condition, treatment may also include: • Wearing a cervical collar. This is a device that supports your chin and the back of your head. • Medicines to help relieve pain and inflammation, such as NSAIDs. • Physical therapy. • Cervical traction. This is a sling that holds up your head. This removes weight and pressure from your neck, and relieves pain. • Surgery (rare). This may be necessary if you have a cervical strain or sprain that is present at birth (congenital cause?), or if you have nerve damage. HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS Managing Pain, Stiffness, and Swelling • Use a cervical collar, cervical pillow, or cervical traction apparatus only as told by your health care provider. • If directed, apply ice to the injured …show more content…
Stretching should never cause pain.
STRETCH - Axial Extensors
1 Lie on your back on the floor. You may bend your knees for comfort. Place a rolled-up towel, about 2 inches in diameter, under the part of your head that makes contact with the floor.
2 Gently tuck your chin by moving it down toward your neck until you feel a stretch at the back of your head.
3 Hold for __________ seconds.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times per day.
STRETCH - Axial Extension
1 Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand.
2 Look straight ahead and slowly move your chin back, toward your neck. Your head should slide back and your chin should be slightly lowered.
3 Stop when you feel a stretch in the back of your head.
4 Hold for __________ seconds.
Repeat __________ times. Complete this exercise __________ times per day.
STRETCH – Cervical Side Bend
1 Using good posture, sit on a stable surface or stand.
2 Without moving your shoulders, slowly tilt your right / left ear to your shoulder until you feel a stretch in your neck muscles. You should be looking straight