Acute neck pain is pain within the first 24 hours to one week. It is severe neck pain with possible pain into the shoulders, arms, hands, upper back, shoulder blades or headaches. This pain can be present with whiplash.
Causes
- Annular Tears – tears in the outer 1/3 of the disc which increase probability of disc bulges and herniations.
- Disc Bulge/herniation – an actual bulging of the disc in one area.
- Facet Joint Sprain or Locking – partial tearing of the ligaments surrounding the facet joints in the spine, or facet joints actually locking or being limited in their normal motion.
Treatment
- Ice – always on acute injuries of any type.
- No Heat – heat causes increased inflammation in acute injuries.
- Directional Exercise – to reduce disc involvement and inflammation.
- Modalities (passive physical therapy) – to decrease inflammation and muscle spasming.
- Spinal Decompression – to decompress discs, reduce bulges, assist healing and ensure proper tissue reformation.
- Mobilization – improves and increases joint mobility in the spine including facet joints.
Treatment should progress into a more specific exercise program for directional exercise and stabilization.
Be wary...
Medication can cover up the existing mechanical cause of your condition, and rehabilitation that doesn’t include specific and extensive exercising, plus instruction on how to manage pain when not in the clinic won’t solve problems of pain.