The seven bones of the spinal column in your neck (cervical vertebrae) are connected to each other by ligaments and muscles. These are strong bands of tissue that act like thick rubber bands. A sudden movement, such as in a motor vehicle crash or hard fall, causes your neck to over bend. This can cause a sprain or tear in one or more of these ligaments or muscles.
All sprains or strains are treated in a similar manner. Neck sprains, like other sprains, will usually heal gradually over time with the right treatment.
Use an ice pack or some frozen peas over your neck in the first few days. This will reduce the swelling and inflammation. After 48 hours turning your neck from left to right and back again can help the muscles to recover.
Simple analgesics can be used after injury, most of which can be bought over the counter in shops, supermarkets or pharmacy’s. Examples are:
You may have been prescribed an alternative pain killer, please refer to specific advice for that tablet if this is the case.
Most injuries take 2-3 weeks to recover but can sometimes take up to 6 weeks to be completely comfortable.
You may have been given a follow-up appointment with a physiotherapist. It is very important you keep your appointment to make sure your neck fully recovers.
If you have any other ongoing concerns or queries about your neck injury you should contact NHS 111 or your local GP. If you think your concern is an emergency or urgent then attend your local Emergency Department.
Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is a smoke-free organisation. You are not permitted to smoke or in use e-cigarettes in any of the hospital buildings or grounds.
