Neck sprain: From symptoms to treatment
If you have never suffered from a neck sprain in the past, you may assume that this is a relatively minor injury.
While it may not be the most serious injury you can suffer, it can definitely cause both pain and discomfort for an extended period of time.
There are many symptoms associated with a neck sprain, including but not limited to:
– Numbness in the arms or hands
– Dizziness
– Ringing in the ears
– Fatigue, often accompanied by a feeling of weakness
If you have reason to believe you have suffered a neck sprain, receive immediate medical attention. From there, your doctor can order the right tests and conduct a medical examination. If it’s found that you have a neck sprain, treatment typically includes:
– Muscle relaxants
– Rest
– Ice for 24 hours after the injury, followed by heat therapy
While gentle movement of the neck may be encouraged, you don’t want to take on any physical activity that could worsen the injury. Instead, it’s important to rest your neck until you’re once again examined by your doctor.
Did you suffer a neck sprain (or some other type of neck injury) on the job? Has this made it impossible to work? If so, you may be able to file a workers’ compensation claim.
If approved, this will allow you to receive benefits until you’re able to return to work. To improve your chance of an approval, don’t wait to report the injury to your employer and file a claim for benefits. In the event of a denial, you should immediately learn more about the appeals process.
Source: Cleveland Clinic, “Neck Sprain,” accessed May 09, 2017