Is a Neck Strain or Sprain causing my neck pain?
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Is a Neck Strain or Sprain causing my neck pain?
Neck Strains & Sprains: Symptoms & Treatment Options
Just as we can suffer a strain or sprain in other parts of our body, the neck is also vulnerable to torn muscle fibers and stretched or torn ligaments. Luckily, neck strains & sprains are generally mild, with symptoms commonly lasting less than a month. Because of the mild nature of most neck strains and sprains, many patients can find relief and restored mobility with noninvasive or nonsurgical treatments.
Many conditions can cause neck strains and sprains. Repetitive stressful movements; sudden movement in any direction, such as whiplash; even something as simple as poor posture are all common sources of neck strains or sprains.
But what exactly is the difference between a muscle strain or sprain? Muscle tissue is fibrous, and any movement that causes a tear in one or more of these fibers is known as a muscle strain. Muscle strains can be painful; however, as is especially true with the small muscles in the neck, symptoms don’t usually persist for longer than a few weeks at most.
A violent or repetitive movement can also injure the tissue that connects our spinal vertebrae. Damage to the ligaments by way of stretching or tearing is called a ligament sprain. In contrast, these injuries are generally more debilitating than muscular strains and require more time to heal.
Other common causes of neck sprains and strains not listed above include: falls, failing to warm up before engaging in physical activity (such as weight lifting), head trauma, or certain sports maneuvers (such as blocking an offensive player).
Symptoms of Neck Strains & Sprains
Neck sprains and strains can range in severity from barely noticeable to utterly debilitating. Depending upon the severity of the injury, your condition may be accompanied by pinched nerves or cervical radiculopathy. Your symptoms, therefore, will vary depending upon the extent of muscular damage and the specific nerves that are affected. Common symptoms of neck strains and sprains include:
- Neck pain, throbbing, tenderness, or localized swelling
- Neck stiffness or limited range of pain-free movement
- Neurological symptoms, such as tingling or numbness in the arms, shoulders, or hands
- Neck cramps or spasms
- Jaw pain, ringing in the ears, dizziness, headaches, or nausea
- In emergent cases, loss of bowel or bladder control may occur
Worried that your symptoms may indicate a neck strain or sprain? To schedule an appointment with one of our award-winning Top Doctors, contact our team of patient advocates at (973) 538-0900.
Diagnosing Your Neck Strains & Sprains
To diagnose your condition, your doctor may assess your reflexes and evaluate you for numbness, weakness, or signs of brain injury. X-rays or CT scans may be used to confirm a diagnosis and eliminate other serious conditions. Sometimes, electromyography (or nerve conduction studies) may be performed to determine if there is a muscle issue. Other diagnostic methods include: measuring the range of motion in your neck; palpating your spine to search for the presence of inflammation or muscle spasms; or neurological examination of your sensory or motor responses.
Neck Strains & Sprains Treatment Options
Conservative Therapies
Since neck strains and sprains are generally mild, nonsurgical treatments such as hot/cold therapies, movement pattern modification, stretching and exercise, or pain medication and anti-inflammatory drugs are usually sufficient to provide long-term pain relief.
Physical Therapy
In more moderate cases of neck strains and sprains, your doctor may recommend that you complete a regimen of physical therapy, or guided exercise. Physical therapy may be combined with other treatment modalities such as deep tissue massage or chiropractic manipulation.
If your neck pain is caused by a damaged or herniated disc, your surgeon may suggest a microdiscectomy to eliminate your pain. During this procedure, ruptured disc material is extracted to make space for compressed nerves.
During this procedure, your surgeon replaces a worn-out or cracked disc with an artificial model that enables you to retain flexibility in your neck. A minimally invasive intervention, this procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis.

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Dr. Jason Lowenstein in a expert in his field and a caring doctor. He totally straightened me from having scoliosis and I am able to walk without pain. I had to go through a few surgeries but well worth it, as I am recovering very well! I have already recommended him to a friend and will continue to do so. He is the best in what he does.
Dr. Gatto is simply the best. He performed a discectomy to fix a bad herniated disc that caused 12 months of constant pain and discomfort. I felt relief immediately after the surgery and now, 4 months after the surgery, it's as if I never had the problem to begin with. He always made me feel comfortable and completely at ease about the procedure.
Dr. Naseef is an excellent surgeon who resolved my back issues. I suffered from December to April with chronic back pain, enduring injections, physical therapy, and bed rest. In April, the good Doctor operated on my back. I went into surgery in pain, and awoke several hours later pain-free. It has been over a year and I completely pain free.