Trauma of the cervical spine is said to occur when strong forces have been exerted on the cervical spine as a result of an accident. The consequences of the trauma are different. Mild trauma manifests itself in mild to moderate pain and tension in the shoulder and neck region, as well as in temporary painful restrictions of movement in the cervical spine.
In more severe cases, neurological symptoms such as nausea and dizziness may also occur. In severe trauma, disorientation and loss of consciousness in the face and arms may also occur. If bone fractures occur during severe trauma, the spinal cord may be injured, resulting in death (through “broken neck“). Further information can also be found on our pages on whiplash and cervical spine fracture.
Treatment/Therapy
Minor traumas without structural injuries usually heal by themselves within a few days to weeks. In order to relax the muscles, the affected person can treat himself with warmth and perform exercises to improve mobility again. In addition, painkillers (NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac, …) can be taken if necessary.
If the trauma has led to the formation of a hard muscular tension which the patient cannot control on his own, the doctor should write a prescription for physiotherapy. The content of the physiotherapeutic treatment will initially be the restoration of normal muscle tension (reaching a normal tone). To achieve this, the physiotherapist will first use manual techniques, massage techniques and stretching to normalize muscle tension and improve the limited mobility of the cervical spine.
In order to maintain the improved condition permanently, the patient will have to follow a physiotherapy exercise program. After a whiplash trauma, a relieving posture is usually followed, which also affects surrounding muscles that were not originally affected by the trauma. Specific training is aimed at achieving a correct posture and stabilizing the cervical spine.
Exercises
Exercises should be performed when the physician has ruled out the possibility of injuries to the structures of the cervical spine. If no injuries are present, the following exercises can help to improve mobility and relieve pain: IMPORTANT for all following exercises: Approach your pain slowly and do not move too much into the pain. After all exercises, move your head loosely in the pain-free area (look over your shoulders, tilt your head to the side).
Rotation right/left: Turn your head to the side to look over your shoulder. At the end of the movement, place your hands on your temples and increase the pressure on each other. Hold for 5 seconds, release the pressure with your hand and try to rotate the head a little further.
Repeat the exercise 3 times. Stretch Lateral inclination: Tilt the head sideways – the ear approaches the shoulder. The opposite shoulder remains low.
If you feel a pulling of the lateral neck muscles, hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times. Stretch short neck muscles: Upright posture.
Let your chin sink towards the breastbone. If you feel a pull in the back of your neck, hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
If dizziness / nausea, visual or speech problems occur during an exercise, stop the exercise immediately and consult your doctor if the problem persists! You can find further exercises in the article Cervical spine distortion
- Rotation right/left: Turn your head to the side to look over your shoulder. At the end of the movement, place your hands on your temples and increase the pressure on each other.
Hold for 5 seconds, release the pressure with your hand and try to rotate the head a little further. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
- Stretch Lateral inclination: Tilt the head sideways – the ear approaches the shoulder. The opposite shoulder remains deep.
If you feel a pulling of the lateral neck muscles, hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
- Stretch short neck muscles: Upright posture. Let your chin sink towards the sternum. If you feel a pull in the back of your neck, hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise 3 times.
