Neck Strain: Causes and Treatment

Neck strain happens when fibers in the muscles or tendons are stretched too far and tear. While you gradually heal over several days or weeks, you may feel varying degrees of pain throughout the process.

Neck injuries can occur suddenly – often the case for athletes – or gradually, in response to poor posture. If you’re experiencing pain in this area, here’s what you should know.

What Is Neck Strain?

The neck area is comprised of seven bones in the spinal column. Ligaments and muscle tissue connect and support this region. Also known as whiplash, neck strain can affect any of the muscles and ligaments in the neck. The two bearing the brunt of these issues are:

• The levator scapulae, which runs down the side of the neck to the shoulder blade and is essential every time you bend or turn your neck. A key symptom of neck strain is restricted movement, often accompanied by pain.
• The trapezius muscle extends from the base of the skull partially down your back and over part of your shoulders. The trapezius plays a role in any up-and-down movement.

How do you know you’re experiencing neck strain? This injury manifests differently based on the size and location of the tear. You may feel a dull ache or the inflammation may accelerate after several hours, resulting in sharp pain every time you move your head. Although neck strain often heals on its own, you may experience constant, if not debilitating, sharp pain during the next few days.

Due to this pattern, identifying the cause of neck strain is not always straightforward. The pain may stem from a sudden incident, like a car accident, hard fall or an athletic injury, or it could be the result of angling your neck in a particular position. In all cases, the neck muscles and ligaments are bent or stretched beyond their normal position, resulting in a tear and degree of swelling. Healing time can depend on the number of muscle fibers affected.

Causes of Neck Strain

Considering this pattern, common incidents or habits contributing to neck strain include:

• Poor posture or awkward positioning, particularly with the head tilted or pushed too far forward. Daily activities contributing to neck strain include sitting in front of a computer, looking down at a smartphone or tablet and holding a phone between your head and shoulder.
• Lifting a heavy object. This action can place significant force on the neck muscles, leading to strain.
• A collision or a fall, resulting in sudden impact to the head, neck and spine.
• Repetitive motions involving the neck.
• Engaging in a new activity without properly warming up or allowing your body to adjust.

Symptoms of Neck Strain

In all these instances, you may experience a combination of the following symptoms:

• Dull aches to sharp, throbbing pain in the back of the head, shoulders and neck
• Decreased range of motion
• A tight, knotted or stiff sensation around the neck
• Pain when looking over your shoulder
• Headaches
• Tenderness
• Affected concentration
• A sharp, knife-like sensation in response to certain movements
• Muscle spasms

Along with these physical symptoms, neck strain resulting from a fall or collision may be accompanied by a concussion. This head injury is often characterized by nausea, dizziness, fatigue, difficulty talking, unconsciousness, balance and bladder control issues, or a headache that doesn’t go away and requires immediate medical attention.

Treatment for Neck Strain

Neck strain outside of a fall or collision may heal on its own, with symptoms disappearing after about a week. More severe injuries can take up to 12 weeks to completely heal.

If your injury appears less severe, it’s recommended that you:

• Periodically ice your neck in 15-minute increments over the next two to three days.
• Apply heat to your neck after two to three days of icing, only after the swelling has gone down.
• Reduce swelling with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Temporarily use a neck brace for support.
• Modify your daily and athletic activities, avoiding anything that places strain on the muscles and tendons, as this could worsen the injury.
• Consider massage to reduce any pain and muscle knots once the swelling has gone down.

For more severe injuries accompanied by symptoms of a concussion, seek medical attention immediately.

Following a more severe neck injury, your doctor may recommend physical therapy to strengthen your neck muscles and guard against future injuries. Your treatment will likely start with exercises designed to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles in this area.

Whether you recently experienced trauma or have decades of poor posture, our physical therapists can develop a neck therapy plan to help you recover.

To learn more, contact us today.