Best Pulled Neck Muscle Treatment
Although pulled neck muscle is standard and can resolve itself, proper treatment can help reduce the pain and discomfort as the injury heals. You might even have to see a certified doctor if the pain lingers for too long or your previous treatments fail to work.
Here is how to deal with pulled neck muscles.
Common Causes of Pulled Neck Muscle
Your neck plays a vital role in supporting your head and facilitating movement. Unfortunately, you can develop pulled neck muscles for various reasons. First, pulled neck muscles can occur due to spasms caused by neck muscle strain. It can also happen due to a sprain. Unlike a neck muscle strain, a sprain occurs to the ligaments in your neck. Inflamed tendons can also cause pulled neck muscles.
Pulled Neck Muscle Treatment
Usually, primary self-care can help you reduce the pain and discomfort caused by pulled neck muscles. Some initial treatments for pulled neck muscle include:
Over the Counter Pain Medication
Over-the-counter pain medications can help reduce the pain and discomfort caused by pulled neck muscle. It is advisable to try anti-inflammatory medicines to relieve the inflammation, which reduces the pain. Typical pain relievers might also help.
Ice
Applying ice within 48 hours of the pulled neck muscle can also help reduce inflammation and thus the pain.
Heat Therapy
If you don’t prefer ice, you can also apply heat within 48 hours to reduce the swelling and improve blood circulation. Improved blood circulation ensures that essential nutrients get to the injured neck. However, remember to apply a layer between your skin and the heat source to avoid skin injury. Moreover, apply heat for around 10 to 20 minutes only.
Avoid Strenuous Activities
Even after using over-the-counter pain medication and applying ice or heat, you still need to rest your neck and avoid strenuous activities for a few days. Strenuous activities will give the tendons and neck muscles enough time to heal and feel better. You will only make things worse when you decide to push through the pain. It is also advisable to avoid a neck brace since it might prolong the recovery period and weaken your neck muscles.
Physical Therapy
If the pulled neck muscle lingers, physical therapy may help reduce the pain and discomfort. The physical therapist will create a custom program that targets the affected neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
Manual Adjustments
Manual manipulation of the cervical spine might also improve your neck’s range of motion and reduce pain and discomfort.
Massage Therapy
Getting a massage can also help by improving blood circulation and reducing discomfort.
Exercises to Deal With Pulled Neck Muscle
The best practices for pulled neck muscles should combine a range of motion and isometric exercises to strengthen and enhance flexibility. Activities can also support and stretch the neck muscles, tendons, and ligaments to speed recovery. Before starting any exercise, it would be best to see a certified physical therapist for guided therapeutic activities.
When to See a Doctor for Pulled Neck Muscle?
We have been helping local communities access quality multidisciplinary care and all the benefits they are entitled to due to their injuries. It is essential to see a certified personal injury specialist early on before the pulled neck muscle gets out of hand. Be sure to visit La Clínica today for specialized torn neck muscle treatment if you were in an accident or have repetitive motion at work.