Getting effective treatment for a neck sprain is easier than you think. It involves common sense steps that are very easy to follow and result in much relief to your sprained neck. Find out what they are, in this article.
One can truly appreciate the meaning of the colloquial phrase ‘pain in the neck’ only when one actually experiences the said pain. Severe pain in one side of the neck can be caused due to a neck sprain. This sprain could be caused due to excess strain or inflammation of the neck muscles. The pain is generally internal and can cause a lot of discomfort to the person. He or she may not be able to move the head to look in a particular direction, may experience a headache, muscle spasms, and not be able to sleep well due to a neck sprain. To help you get rid of these symptoms, this HolisticZine article will give you the simplest form of treatment.
How you can Treat a Neck Sprain
Given in this section are some of the easiest and matter of fact measures to treat a sprained neck. The sprain may take some time to completely go away, but you’ll definitely feel a little relief within a short time. Only continuation of the treatment will help to cure the sprain completely. So take it seriously and don’t overlook or ignore any step, just because you feel a little better. Even when you feel better, don’t strain your neck too much. By doing this, you prevent the chance of the sprain’s recurrence.
Protect
Well, the most important step in the process of treating your sprained neck is to make sure that your neck is well protected from any further injury. So, when you feel the beginning of a sprain and have begun experiencing pain in the neck and shoulder region, which increases with movement, immediately protect it from further damage by going home and taking the next step in the therapy.
Rest
Once you have a good idea that it is indeed a sprain, or after confirming that it is one by a physician, all you have to do is totally rest the neck. Do not indulge in excess movement of the neck. It might seem a little cumbersome, but try to restrict its movement as much as you can. Don’t try jerking it or turning it from side to side unless it happens by mistake or if you absolutely must. Give it adequate rest and follow the next steps of treatment seriously.
Ice
It is popularly believed that when you suffer from a sprain or a muscle injury, providing it with heat is the answer to getting it treated. This is a wrong notion. While heating may make you feel a little better from the outside, it could end up doing more damage to the tendons and muscles inside. Hence, you’ll have to take the less pleasant option of using ice instead. Wrap ice in a piece of soft cloth and gently press it on the part of your neck that hurts the most. Don’t place the ice directly onto your skin. You can also use a crushed ice pack or any deep frozen pack from your freezer, in case of an emergency.
Compressor
After you have gently pressed the area with the ice, you can use a compressor to make yourself better. Using compressors also helps to reduce swelling and restrict movement of the affected area. For your neck, you can use a cervical collar made from a soft material to keep your neck from making unnecessary movements and also to ease the pain a bit.
Medication
If all the remedies given above fail, and your neck sprain persists for more than a couple of days (that is the minimum time it takes to heal), then consult your physician for medical advice. He may prescribe you some anti-inflammatory or analgesic oral medication along with a local application, which will help ease the inflammation and the pain that you’re experiencing. Do not take any medication without prior consultation of a medical practitioner.
These are by far the most popular and the most effective treatment for a neck sprain that common people and even sports persons follow. Don’t take your body’s warning signs lightly. Listen to them and give them the care and nourishment that they require, so that you can function smoothly.
