Sharp Neck Pain could be a Strain or Sprain

- Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2009/02/20 - Updated: 2011/05/13
Topic: Sprains and Strains - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Have you ever woken up and felt a sharp pain in your neck the reason may be a sprain or strain in the lower back area of your neck.

Introduction

Have you ever woken up and felt a sharp pain in your neck, the reason behind this may be sprain in the lower back area of your neck and this can be caused by bad sleeping posture.

Main Item

Neck strain or sprain can also happen while lifting heavy weights. Neck sprain is called irritation in muscles, tendons and ligaments in upper back and also in neck area. It is an irritation in the tissues of neck.

Neck sprain is a stretching or tearing feeling in the tissues of the neck. A strain in any part of a body is a stretch or tear of a muscle or tendon. The neck is surrounded by small muscles running close to the vertebrae and larger muscles that make up the visible muscles of the neck.

Neck strain can be caused when neck got an unexpected bend or twist, as if you a person is suddenly accelerated forward, then the head has tendency to remain behind and thus neck bends backwards suddenly. Our neck stays in constant tension to hold the head up. People who work on computer for a long time may suffer from the problem of neck strain.

Even head movements seems difficult and if one tries to move head side to side this can cause a sharp acute pain in the neck. In some cases patients of neck strain may get numbness in fingers and also in forearms. Some other symptoms are blurred vision, swallowing, dizziness, stiffness, noise in ear and also nausea.

Other causes of neck pain include pinched nerves or a variety of structural or degenerative spinal disorders such as a herniated disc and cervical spondylosis (osteoarthritis). The ailment may also be associated with dental disorders or rotator cuff injuries (muscles of the shoulder).

If you have chronic neck pain, your doctor should perform a thorough medical examination to rule out serious structural or physiological spinal disorders. Both X-rays and MRI scans will assist in identifying the source of pain and the appropriate action to take. It is important to seek immediate medical attention if your neck pain is severe or if fever, dizziness, weakness or any unusual symptoms occur along with neck pain.

Get rid of neck sprain by using some natural home remedies.

If the problem is caused by sleeping position, you should apply ice to the painful area for about 48-72 hours. This is the easiest way to get rid of inflammation. To practice this treatment, you can fill a bag with crushed ice and place a towel around the area of neck. Now, put this ice bag on the towel. This method will help you to get rid of pain.

Rest or relaxation is vital for speedy recovery. Placing the neck in an elevated area such as pillows, during rest is helpful. Simple exercises, which include tilting the neck in the front and back and movement from side to side, prove beneficial. If pain reaches to chronic level, you should avoid doing exercises.

To get rid of neck pain, you can use some simple exercises at home, which may provide relief in pain from neck. You can practice an exercise, which includes moving of shoulders, and turn your head side from left to right, as this may help in providing relax from the pain. You can make a bandage with the black coffee on the neck sprain.

You can take a massage therapy to avoid pain in neck.

The massage should be very gentle during the first few days as it may reaches to the worse condition. You may even choose to wait until the acute phase of the injury has past. Massage therapy will help to move fluid around as this may help to prevent scar tissue. After the first few days, massage can help work out tension and knots in your muscles.

Most of the patients of neck strain recover in one-two weeks but in some conditions, it can have long term effects such as long term discomfort, pain and limitation of movements. If a person is facing difficulty by sitting in same position for long time, then you should try to take small gaps between the working schedules. You can wear a soft cervical collar round your neck as it would be helpful in supporting head and also relieve pressure of neck.

The length of recovery from neck pain depends on the severity of your injury as well as your age, health, and history of prior neck injury. Several massage treatment sessions may be needed before you achieve relief. A massage therapist will be able to advise you on the appropriate frequency of sessions, either with a therapist or self massaged, to best treat the condition.

Don't forget, a massage therapist can teach you how to massage your own neck to reduce muscle stiffness and increase range of motion. The effects of massage tend to be longer-lasting when it is performed multiple times each day. Do not perform deep muscle massage in areas that are painful, swollen or inflamed as this could lead to injury.

Prevention of Neck Pain:

You can try and avoid the onset of neck pain by trying to maintain a natural aligned spinal position when sitting, standing and walking. Consider a lumbar support cushion for your car seat or desk chair. If your job requires repetitive tasks such as holding a telephone between your shoulder and ear, or if you are frequently in the same position while you work, such as sitting at the computer, take breaks and stretch your neck muscles. Also, make sure your neck is properly positioned during sleep: Avoid positions that abnormally flex your neck. It is often the case that an old and worn pillow or mattress can be the cause of neck pain. Cervical pillows are available which will provide adequate support.

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Citing Information and Page References

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Cite This Page (APA): Langtree, I. C. (2009, February 20 - Last revised: 2011, May 13). Sharp Neck Pain could be a Strain or Sprain. Disabled World (DW). Retrieved February 11, 2025 from www.disabled-world.com/health/orthopedics/strains-sprains/neck-pain.php

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