Our neck or also known as the cervical spine, is complex. It connects vital messages from our brain to our spinal cord which are important for most of our bodily functions.
Neck injuries can vary in seriousness from a minor discomfort to very serious and sometimes can even be fatal(after a severe trauma). Fortunately, the majority of neck injuries are not serious with neck pain being a common complaint seen at our physiotherapy clinic. Approximately 70% of the population experiences neck pain at some point in their lives and it can be successfully treated with massage or physiotherapy.
Minor Neck Injuries
Minor neck injuries can often go away on their own or with treatment from a physiotherapist or massage therapist. Symptoms may last from 1-6 weeks. While they can be uncomfortable, frustrating and painful, a minor neck injury doesn’t need to send you into a panic. The most common symptoms of minor neck injuries are:
- Swelling
- Stiff Neck causing limited mobility and pain with movement
- Headaches
- Muscle spasm
How to Tell If You Have a More Serious Neck Injury
You should book an appointment with you family doctor or physiotherapist if you present with the following symptoms:
- Numbness/Tingling or loss of strength in arms and hands
- Shooting pain in the shoulders and down the arms
- Unrelenting pain lasting several days
The Most Common Causes of Neck Injuries Are
- Whiplash
- Direct impact to the area
- Poor Posture
- Car accidents
- Muscle Strains or injuries
If you have injured your neck and need to see a medical professional, call the Durham Orthopedic Sports & Injury clinic at 905 428 7800 and start your road to recovery today!
