The cervical spine is the portion of the spine contained within the neck. Injuries known as neck sprain or strain effect that portion of the spine.
The cervical spine is more subject to injury because it is not protected by the bony structure of the torso like the rest of the spinal column. A relatively small amount of muscles and ligaments encase this portion of the spinal column. Yet its normal function requires extensive range of motion.
Doctors of the bones and joints, often called Orthopedists, differentiate "sprains" from "strains." Injuries of tissues that contract and move, such as muscles, tendons, and their attachments into bones, are termed strains. Similar injuries to inert (or nonmoving) structures, such as ligaments, joint capsules, nerves, bursae, blood vessels, and cartilage, are termed sprains.
The neck is an area that is more mobile than stable. You can be injured in a number of different ways, your physician will take a detailed medical and job history (including an analysis of work activity) to ascertain the likelihood of a severe injury. It also helps to predict how long your recovery will take and what your prognosis will be following an injury.
Seeing a doctor is vital for all strains with a significant mechanism of injury or for severe, persistent, or unexplained symptoms or problems. As with other conditions, supportive self-care is often enough for you to have a complete recovery. Braces and wraps that restrict cervical movement may provide some relief. Cold or heat therapy is often quite beneficial. Here, you will find a wide assortment of products designed to help reduce the pain and discomfort of cervical sprain and strain.
