Cervical Strain!

Background:-

     Cervical strain is a very common graze (injury) and it is seen very casually. It is the trauma that happens due to the accidents mostly. This strain causes anguish conditions for the patients. It is very uncomfortable but with suitable treatment, proper controlling and management it usually has a small number of corollaries.

     High speed injury mechanism have introduced a very ordinary term whiplash into use to elaborate and define these damages including Whiplash-Associated Disorders (WAD) which are used in medical documentations. 

     The major diagnostic challenge in the cervical setting is to discriminate cervical strain from other sources of neck problems which may results in mortality to the patients.

                  Radio-Graph of the cervical spine showing normal lordotic curve.

              Radio-Graph of the cervical spine showing straightening of lordotic curve.

What is cervical strain?

   When muscles and tendons of your neck are stretched, they cause cervical strain. Its is called Whiplash mostly as it is happened due to frequent whipping of neck in to and fro position. 

The pain due to cervical strain is unexpected and severe and neck pain starts hours after the damage or injury.

Work-Related Cervical Strain:-

  Usage of computer continuously and computer monitor viewing causes cervical strain. It is due to the balance between the viewer and the placement of the computer's monitor.

  

  It can be caused by road traffic accidents (RTA) or car accidents or motorcycle accidents (MCA). Sports has a major contact with this damage as well.

Other causes:- 

It can be caused in everyday life by the poor posture, tension in the muscles, psychological stress and poor sleeping habits. 

How is cervical pain treated?

 Acetaminophen is a drug which is available everywhere and one can get it without any doctor's prescription.
 Some other drugs such as ibuprofen gives a great hand in decreasing the swelling, ache and fever.
 Muscle relaxers and pain killers like Brexin can help in decrease of muscular spasm and pain.

Prevention:-

 Gradually return to your casual activities:

 You should stop working if you have a severe pain. Avoid the lifting of heavy weights or things.
 Stop the strenuous exercises.

 Icing or use ice packs:

 Use ice packs on your neck for 20 minutes maximum every hour or as directed by your Physician.
 Icing helps to prevent the damages in the tissue and swelling and pain is decreased frequently.

 Avoid Pillow while sleeping:

 Sleeping without pillow decreases the pain. Or you can place a towel under your neck and it should be rolled tightly.

 Physical Therapy:

Physical therapy will increase the movement, power and strength and decrease in pain will be seen simultaneously.

Symptoms:-

-Pain

-Stiffness

-Tightness in upper back and shoulders

-Pain lasts up to six weeks