Neck Brace: Applications & Health Benefits

The term cervical collar is actually a colloquial term for the professionally titled cervical spine support. Cervical spine stands for cervical spine and the purpose of a medical cervical collar is to support it after a motion or whiplash injury. Thus, a cervical spine brace is intended to prevent further and more serious injuries to the cervical spine.

What is a cervical collar?

A cervical collar or cervical brace is made of plastic or foam. It is used to relieve pressure on the cervical structures when the cervical spine is injured. The cervical collar is now known by many names. Probably the most common names for them are cervical collar, tie, stifneck (from the English for “stiff neck“) and cervical brace. A cervical collar usually refers to a plastic sleeve that immobilizes the cervical spine (C-spine). In addition, the cervical collar assumes a supporting function, which has a relieving effect on the cervical spine. In the event of an injury or trauma, this can be very important. Because often only in this way can further damage and late effects be avoided.

Shapes, types and types

Neck braces are available today in a wide variety of types, styles and shapes and thus for people of different ages and also for animals. A baby can be provided with a suitable neck brace today as well as an adult or a dog. In addition, there are variable and adjustable models that can be adapted to the length of the neck – because only in very few cases is a standardized neck brace required. This is usually used in less severe cases. Otherwise, in humans today, if one is available, one always resorts to variable splints. There are also more flexible and less flexible models which, depending on the type, can cause partial to complete immobilization of the cervical spine. Here it depends on what type of injury is present. Incidentally, the very soft foam ruffs are intended less for immobilization than for support. They are not referred to as splints in specialist medical terms, but as pure cervical braces. So if you have to distinguish between two types, there are actual neck braces and neck splints.

Structure, function and mode of action

In most cases, the neck brace is a padded plastic collar that is used to relieve the neck muscles. Depending on the application of the neck brace, the foam is more or less flexible. The length of the cervical collar can be adjusted to fit the patient’s neck, so that it fits snugly enough around the patient’s neck without taking away the patient’s air or constricting him too much. In most cases, the cervical splint is closed at the back of the neck. However, there are also some models that can be closed at the side or front. Again, it depends on the type of injury and how long the splint is to be worn. Splints that have to be worn day and night in particular are better padded than neck braces, which are intended more for the short journey from the scene of the accident to the hospital. However, these also immobilize the cervical spine more significantly than soft foam ruffs do. The latter are used for injuries that must be cured over several days or weeks.

Medical and health benefits

A completely rigid cervical collar is used, for example, when a serious injury to the cervical spine is detected or cannot be ruled out. In these cases, the splint is used to try to make the cervical spine almost immobile and support it so that further injury and damage can be avoided. Afterwards, the possible injuries are examined in detail in the hospital so that further treatment can be initiated. The cervical spine is also immobilized by means of a cervical collar if it requires rest and immobility in order to heal. Here, however, soft foam collars are usually used, which at most restrict the freedom of movement somewhat and which support and relieve the cervical spine. This protects the muscles, the vertebrae, the tendons and also the tissue, and injuries or overloads can heal. Incidentally, cervical collars are now rarely used for healing purposes, as various studies have found that they often hinder rather than support the healing process.