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Sprained Neck

Date issued: December 2022

Review date: December 2024

Ref: A-544/NB/ED/Sprained Neck

PDF:  Neck Sprain final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 92KB

What is a neck sprain?

A neck sprain happens when some neck muscles and ligaments stretch more than normal. Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that connect bones to each other. When your head is suddenly jolted backwards and forwards it can cause a neck sprain. A common cause is when you are in a car that is hit from behind by another car.

What are the symptoms?

  • Pain and stiffness in the neck

  • It may take several hours after the injury for symptoms to appear. The pain and stiffness often become worse on the day after an injury. This may be because the inflammation or bruising around a sprained muscle can take a while to build up

  • Turning or bending the neck may be difficult

  • You may also feel pain or stiffness in the shoulders or down the arms

  • Dizziness, headache, or blurred vision may occur for a short while, but soon go. Tell a doctor if any of these persist.

What is the treatment?

  • Posture. Bad posture will delay your recovery. Avoid slouching forwards with your chin sticking out. Keep your back straight and your shoulders braced. A good exercise is to draw yourself up straight with your chin tucked in, repeatedly, 10 times each hour. Getting the movements back is very important

  • Exercises. FIRST straighten up, then try and touch each ear down onto your shoulder. Straighten up again, now try looking around each shoulder in turn

  • Ice Packs. Use crushed ice in a polythene bag or a bag of frozen peas. Wrap ice or peas in a towel. Do not apply ice / frozen product directly to skin. Ideally, rub a small amount of oil over the area where the ice pack is to go.

  • Check the colour of the skin after 5 minutes. If it is bright pink/red remove the pack. If it is not pink replace the bag for a further 5-10 minutes.

  • Ice can be left on for 20 to 30 minutes but there is little benefit to be gained by leaving it on for longer. You run the risk of damaging the skin if ice is left on the skin for more than 20-30 minutes at a time.

An alternative treatment which can be used after 2 days is local heat e.g., a hot water bottle, warm bath, or shower

Should I take painkillers?

  • Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication are both vital to help you recover.

  • Paracetamol is useful to ease pain. It is best to take it regularly for a few days or so, rather than every now and then. An adult dose is two 500 mg tablets, four times a day. A doctor may prescribe additional painkillers such as codeine if the pain is more severe.  If you are prescribed a combination of paracetamol and codeine (e.g., cocodamol or codydramol) then it is important not to take additional paracetamol as you will accidentally overdose.

  • Anti-inflammatory medication can be used with paracetamol or as an alternative. There are many types and brands. They relieve pain and reduce inflammation and swelling (often the cause of the pain). You can buy ibuprofen at pharmacies or supermarkets without a prescription. The dose varies depending on your age and other medical problems. Side-effects sometimes occur with anti-inflammatory painkillers. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice regarding them.

Can I drive?

  • Driving should be avoided until movements return to normal for you.

Self-Referral to Physiotherapy

You have the option of a delayed referral to physiotherapy should your injury not settle with the advice given during your time in ED.  If you feel you require physiotherapy, then please use the link below to self-refer.  This is also available via your General Practitioner.

https://www.plymouthhospitals.nhs.uk/physio-self-referral

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