A neck sprain occurs as a result of stretches or tears on one or more fibers in a neck muscle or tendon. This injury, also referred to as the pulled muscle, may differ in intensity and it depends on the size and location of the tear. Neck sprain can heal on its own without treatment within several days or weeks but the pain varies from mild or painful to sharp and debilitating.
Neck muscles can be affected as a result of poor posture whether you are leaning over your computer hunching over your workbench. Another common cause of neck pain is osteoarthritis. On rare occasion, neck pain can be a symptom of a more serious problem.
What are the Causes of a Neck Sprain?
The neck is flexible and provides support for the weight of the head, this makes it be vulnerable to injuries and other conditions that can cause pain and restrict movement. The causes of neck pain are listed below:
1. Muscle strains. Excessive use, such as too many hours on a computer or a smartphone, often causes muscle strains. Other things that can cause neck sprain to include reading in bed or gritting your teeth, all this have been found to strain neck muscles.
2. Worn joints. Neck joint tends to wear down as you grow older just like other joints in the body. One major cause of the cushions (cartilage) between bones (vertebrae) to worsen is osteoarthritis. The body then creates bone spurs which affect the movement of the joints and cause pain.
3. Nerve compression. Herniated discs or bone scars in the vertebrae of your neck can exert pressure on the nerves that emerge from the spinal cord.
4. Injuries. Whiplash injury is caused by an auto collision of rear-end, this occurs when the head is drawn back and forth, putting pressure on the soft tissue of the neck.
5. Disease. Some diseases have been found to cause neck pain examples of which include rheumatoid arthritis, meningitis or cancer.
What are the Symptoms of a Neck Sprain?
Almost all cases of muscle strain are considered to be either mild or moderate and which will heal eventually, however, the cases can be bothersome and cause lots of inconveniences. Below are some common symptoms of neck strain:
1. Pain in the neck region. Neck pain usually occurs in the back of the neck, mainly in the neck and partly in the nearby area, such as the back of the head, upper back and/or shoulders.
2. Acute or painful pain. There can be a dull and nagging pain which tends to persist and can affect sleeping at night and in addition, concentration during the day can be affected. This pain will probably feel deep in the muscles.
3. Acute pain. One of the most serious symptoms of pain in the neck can be a knife-like pain.
4. Pain that gets worse by movement. When you are resting, there may be no pains in the neck but during a certain movement or activities, there may be pains.
5. Muscle spasm. Inflammation caused by injury can trigger painful spasms in injured muscles and possibly in adjacent muscles.
6. Stiff neck. In this case, it will be difficult to move the neck in one or more directions. Neck stiffness from strain is caused by swelling and/or tightening of the muscles to prevent further injury.
Neck Sprain Treatment
Treatment for a Neck Sprain requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your neck. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your neck to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
