Acute Neck Pain

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. 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

Be Wary Of

• Medication that only covers up the existing mechanical cause of your condition
• If arm, shoulder, hand, or shoulder blade pain or changes in sensation appear,  get proper medical care
• In cases of annular tears early intervention is important to reduce the chance of chronic spine pathology
• Of any rehabilitation that does not involve very specific and extensive exercising, modalities and massages will not produce lasting results
• Rehabilitation that doesn’t teach you how to manage your condition on your own when not coming to the clinic