Maybe you were recently rear ended while driving to work. Perhaps you fell down the stairs or took a tumble off of a curb while walking down the street. Whatever the case, you now find yourself suffering from neck pain and muscle spasms that keep you from moving freely. Sound familiar? If it does, you may have a neck sprain. Fortunately, the orthopedic doctors of Premier Bone & Joint Centers can provide the treatment you need at our Rock Springs location or one of our other satellite clinics across Wyoming.

Diagnosing Your Condition

If you’ve recently experienced a neck injury, you may find yourself wondering what exactly sprained neck pain feels like. Oftentimes, this sensation:

• Manifests itself about a day after an injury instead of immediately
• Radiates from the back of the neck
• Worsens with movement
• Causes a headache in the back of your head
• Is accompanied by muscle spasms, tingling, and numbness in your shoulders, arms, and hands

When you visit one of our clinics with a possible neck sprain, one of our board-certified and fellowship-trained doctors will perform a physical examination to test your range of motion and identify any tender points. Depending on their findings, they may also order imaging tests like an X-Ray or MRI to rule out more serious conditions.

A Treatment Regimen Designed for Relief

Oftentimes, treating this condition is as simple as managing your sprained neck pain while your injury heals. Your doctor will likely recommend taking aspirin to help manage pain, ibuprofen or another muscle relaxant to reduce spasms, and short sessions with an ice pack to reduce inflammation within the first 48 hours followed then by heat therapy. If your neck sprain proves severe, your doctor may also recommend ultrasound therapy or cervical traction (immobilization) in order to lay the groundwork for a speedy and long-lasting recovery.

Don’t let your neck sprain slow you down. Instead, schedule an appointment with the doctors of Premier Bone & Joint Centers today, either at our Rock Springs location or one of our other Wyoming satellite clinics.