25 Feb Stretches to Relieve Neck Pain From Car Accident
Exercising and stretching is important to keep our bodies limber and healthy. Stretching can be used as a preventative measure to try and prevent injury, but it can also help relieve muscle pain after things like a car accident happen. If you find that you have a stiff neck from a car accident that stretches aren’t helping, Mile High Spine & Pain Center can help run a wide range of diagnostics and tests to pinpoint exactly what your injury is.
We will cater the assessment to your needs, however it can include:
- Basic physical exam to look for bruising or internal injury
- X-rays to look for any broken bones
- Taking your vitals
- Manual testing of the spine and neck to find soreness and check for range of movement
Do you have a stiff neck? You’re not alone! Having a stiff neck is a common problem among many people.
What Causes a Stiff Neck?
When the neck becomes stiff it’s often because of injury. If you are in a car accident, the neck muscles can tense up and become strained, causing you pain that makes it hard to hold your head up. A stiff neck can also occur when one of your vertebrae suffers trauma as well. A big cause of stiff neck is whiplash from car accidents. Whiplash is when the head is suddenly and forcefully moved forward and right back.
In some cases, stiff neck can be treated at home. Sometimes, though, it requires the help of medical professionals to help speed up your recovery process.
Stiff Neck Symptoms
Medical News Today explains the symptoms of a stiff neck include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Back and shoulder pain
- Burning sensation in neck
- Memory loss or trouble focusing
Treatment Options
There are several at-home treatments for a stiff neck, which include applying ice or heat, trying over-the-counter medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and gentle stretching.
Stretches
It’s always important to talk with your doctor to see if doing light stretches would be safe for your neck pain. If you’re clear for trying some stretches, try some of these stretches from us and some recommended from SELF:
Seated clasping neck stretch
This exercise uses your hands to give your neck a deep stretch. Start by sitting comfortably criss-crossed in the floor. Clasp your hands together and bring both palms and place them on the back of your head. Gently press your hands on your head, pushing towards your thighs as you tuck your chin to your chest. Be sure you’re sitting tall for the best stretch. Hold for up to 30 seconds before slowly releasing the stretch.
Seated neck release
This exercise is perfect for the sides of your neck. Like the first exercise, you’ll sit in the floor criss-crossed and place your right arm next to your right knee on the floor. Then, take your left hand and place it on top of your head while you slowly tilt your head to the left. Use your hands to apply a light amount of pressure for a more intense stretch. Hold for 30 seconds before you slowly release, then do it on the other side as well.
Side rotation
Sitting tall on the floor or in the chair, gently move your head and look over your shoulder to the left until you feel a gentle stretch. Hold the stretch for 3 seconds and then move to look over your right shoulder. Repeat this for 30 seconds.
Forward and backward tilt
Once again sitting up tall, tuck your chin into your chest and hold for 3 seconds while you take on that stretch. Then, move your head back to original position looking straight ahead. Once you’re back in a neutral position, look up while you tilt your head back. Hold for 3 seconds while you feel the stretch, then repeat for 30 seconds.
Shoulder rolls
Our shoulders can feel a lot of the tension coming from our necks. For this stretch, lift your shoulders up and roll them back in circle motion for 30 seconds. Reverse and roll them forward for 30 more seconds.
Around the world stretch
This stretch will target every area of your neck. Sitting up tall and looking straight, this is your neutral position. Tilt your head up to feel a stretch, come back down to neutral. Then look to the left, feeling the stretch before coming back to neutral. Then you’ll look down, back to neutral, then to the right, and back to neutral! Repeat this around the world stretch for 30 seconds.
Recover Quickly With Stretches and Mile High Spine & Pain Center
If you need help beyond mild stretching, Mile High Spine & Pain Center is here for you after a car accident. We offer many effective treatments for auto accident victims. Call us today for a free consultation – (720)-507-0080.