The best way to treat neck injuries


Neck pain is a very common problem that affects approximately 2/3rd of all adults at one point or the other. There are numerous treatments available. The one that will be most suited to you will depend on the cause of your neck pain and its severity. In case of an injury, the perfect treatment would be a mix of relaxation therapies, medication and exercise. Your doctor will be able to advice you about what combination will benefit you the most. Cryotherapy or cold therapy is application of a cold source to the affected body part- in this case the neck.

 

Effects of Injury

 

In some cases, cold therapy is used along with hot therapy though these 2 treatments have different effects. Post an injury to the neck, the metabolic response of the body increases the flow of blood to the area that has been affected. This is a natural reaction as the body is trying to heal itself. These very same chemical factors that dilate the blood vessels also irritate the pain nerves in the neck. The direct effect that the swollen tissue has on irritated nerves also increases the pain.



Different Treatment Methods

 

Hot therapy aims at increasing the flow of blood to the area that has been injured. On the other hand the focus of cold therapy is to reduce inflammation by constriction of the blood vessels. Cold therapy numbs the nerve endings and reduces pain. This is very beneficial in treating compressed nerves that are caused by spinal stenosis or bone spurs. Based on the recommendation of your doctor, you can:

  • Integrate hot and cold therapy in the treatment of the neck injury. An ice or a gel pack can be used on the area
  • You can try an ice massage. Freeze a water-filled Styrofoam cup and then peel away a strip of that cup. This is an effective massage tool that incorporates cryotherapy.
  • Hydrotherapy is the use of ice water in treating the affected part of the body. You should submerge the effected part in a bucket of ice water. Of course, in the case of neck pain, this option is not convenient. However, it is possible to get a device that actually circulates the chilled water right through a bag that is attached to a belt.  Most physical therapy centers will have ice whirlpools and full-body immersion is possible at these places.
  • Hot therapy, cold therapy and medication are just some of the non-surgical forms of managing neck pain.
  • Medical professionals can also help you with the use of physical therapy, herbal medicine and spine braces.

 

Other Options

 

The recovery span of every individual will differ based on the condition of the neck and the treatment. In some cases, minimally invasive spine surgery might be required. There is a certain amount of risk involved in all surgical procedures. In most cases, conservative cold and hot treatments as well as physiotherapy and certain prescribed medication should be sufficient to treat basic neck injuries. However, it must be remembered, that your doctor will be able to help with all information about the best way to treat neck injuries.