Sports Medicine: Cervical Strain & Sprain 

What Are the Signs & Symptoms?

• unable to move the neck comfortably or limited motion of the neck
• muscle spasm with soreness and stiffness in the neck and shoulders
• pain or stiffness in the neck
• tenderness and sometimes swelling at the injury site

Increased Risk

• poor neck conditioning (flexibility and strength)
• poor posture
• previous neck injury
• poorly fitted equipment
• situations that make accidents more likely or direct trauma
• poor tackling technique using head (spearing), head-butting, or landing on top of the head
• high-risk sports (football, rugby, wrestling, hockey, gymnastics, diving, karate, boxing)

How Is Cervical Strains and Sprains Treated?

• Medicine
  • Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as ibuprofen (Motrin^® or Advil^®) or naproxen (Aleve^®) may be recommended. Take these as directed by your health care provider.
  • Other minor pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol^®)
• Use of cold and heat
  • Cold should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for swelling and after any activity that makes symptoms worse. Use ice packs or an ice massage.
  • Heat may be used 48 to 72 hours after injury and then may be used before performing stretching and strengthening activities prescribed by your health care provider or athletic trainer. Use a heat pack, warm soak or hot shower. Apply for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Rehab
  • Rehab may be needed to decrease pain, regain motion and strength and to help return to sports.
  • Your health care provider may recommend a licensed massage therapist, especially if you have muscle spasms.
• Cervical collar
  • If symptoms are severe, a soft, padded, fabric or hard plastic cervical collar may be recommended until the pain goes away.

How To Prevent

• Maintain suitable conditioning, including neck and shoulder strength and flexibility.
• Do correct warm-up and stretching before practice or competition.
• Wear proper fitted protective equipment.
• Avoid tackling with the head, spearing and head butting.
• Use proper falling technique to avoid landing on the head.

When To Call the Doctor

Call your health care provider or the Sports Medicine team at 614-355-6000 if:

• symptoms get worse after 2 weeks, even with treatment
• new, unexplained symptoms develop

Helping Hands Patient Education Materials

Written and illustrated by medical, nursing and allied health professionals at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Helping Hand instructions are intended as a supplement to verbal instructions provided by a medical professional. The information is periodically reviewed and revised to reflect our current practice. However, Nationwide Children's Hospital is not responsible for any consequences resulting from the use or misuse of the information in the Helping Hands.

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