When Does Neck Pain Demand Your Immediate Attention?

Most people have experienced some kind of neck pain in their lives. Neck strains can occur during physical activity and even during normal daily activity. Many people carry tension in their necks, causing neck pain. Common types of neck pain and discomfort will resolve with little to no treatment within a few days. When neck pain occurs as the result of an injury and does not begin to subside after a couple of days, it is time to call an auto injury doctor.

During the first few days of experiencing neck pain, try these tips to reduce pain.

Tips for Neck Pain Self-Care

• Apply ice or heat. Apply an ice pack to the affected area of your neck for 15 minutes three or more times per day. If heat is more soothing, a heating pad may help.
• Focus on relaxation. Enjoying a hot shower or a soaking bath can help relax and soothe strained muscles causing neck pain and muscle spasms.
• Stretch. Stretching your neck muscles by turning your neck gently from side to side and up and down can help relieve discomfort.
• Massage. Gently applying pressure to sore places in your neck can help relieve pain in neck muscles.
• Good posture. Practice good posture to relieve existing neck pain and prevent future pain. If you sit at a computer all day, ensure that your back maintains support and that your computer monitor positions at eye level.

"Regular massage, ice packs, and good posture help to relieve neck pain."

More Serious Types of Neck Pain

If you have waited a couple of days for your neck pain to subside and have found no relief, you are likely dealing with a more serious type of neck injury. If you have recently been involved in an accident, now is the time to contact an auto accident doctor before your injury worsens.

Most Common Neck Injuries

When an auto injury occurs, it is important to understand what type of injury you are experiencing. This way, you can accurately explain your signs and symptoms to an auto accident doctor. Neck injuries, also referred to as cervical spine injuries, vary in type and severity.

Soft Tissue Injury

Whiplash injury, also referred to as Whiplash Associated Disorders (WAD), is among the most common types of soft tissue injury.

People who have been involved in car accidents or athletes who participate in contact sports are frequently diagnosed with symptoms of whiplash.

When your head is first hyper-extended and then quickly thrown forward, you have experienced whiplash. Whiplash typically results in diagnoses including muscle strain, disc injury, and ligament sprain.

"Whiplash injuries are common after a car crash."

Nerve and Spinal Cord Injury

More serious neck injuries can affect the nervous system or the actual spinal cord. Neck fractures are breaks in the cervical bone. They commonly occur as the result of a sports injury or an auto accident.

Treatment Options for Neck Injuries

Once you reach out to an auto injury doctor, specific treatment options are discussed.

Neck Pain Relief

The first issue you want to discuss with your doctor is pain relief. Depending on the severity of the pain, over the counter pain and inflammation relievers may be suggested.

Prescription of pain medications and prescription muscle relaxants are suggested in more severe cases.

But, it may not include a long term pain management plan. Using cervical collars to support your injured neck also provides pain relief.

Physical Therapy for Neck Pain

The ongoing use of physical therapy is one of the most common treatments for chronic neck pain. It is also a recommended treatment for whiplash. Physical therapy improves mobility, decreases stiffness, and strengthens your neck.

"You need physical therapy and long-term pain management to get rid of chronic neck pain."

If you are unsure about the severity of your injury or appropriate treatment options, contact a car accident doctor Houston.

For the Best Treatment of Neck Pain, Visit CityWide’s Injury & Accident Chiropractor Clinic, Houston

If you get into a car accident or are experiencing chronic neck pain, CityWide Injury & Accident specialists provide the best care and treatment. Call us at 713-782-0082 or click below to schedule an appointment today.

When Does Neck Pain Demand Your Immediate Attention? | Citywide Injury & Accident – Houston, TX