The acute neck or back injury is a complaint that many of us have experienced at some point in our lives.  We all know the feeling of pain associated with trying to bend in our back or neck when there is an acute injury.  These types of acute neck and back complaints typically result from either a specific incident in which we feel strain with a movement.  Other common presentations of these injuries often result after a period of rest from sitting or sleeping and then we go to move and feel a strain.

The Acute Early Phase

The acute early phase of an injury is typically between 0-72 hours.

During this phase of an injury, the individual is likely to experience the following signs and symptoms:

  1. Pain
  2. Loss of range of movement
  3. Tightness and spasm in muscles in the associated areas

Signs and symptoms that warrant a medical practitioner include:  Neurological symptoms such as numbness or weakness, pain worsening or loss of bowel or bladder control.

Tips For An Acute Neck or Back Injury

Rest:  Try to avoid any activities or postures that aggravate your neck or back pain.  Depending on the severity of neck or back pain, some clients find lying and rest to be necessary in the first 0-48 hours, whereas others find walking around slowly and avoiding prolonged static postures to be best.  The key is to avoid any postures or activities that aggravate the symptoms.

Ice:  Some individuals find applying ice for short periods of time every 2-3 hours can provide great relief.  Ensure that a cold pack or press is not applied directly to the skin and is help over the area of pain for 15-20 minutes.  Ice can help reduce pain and also swelling and inflammation in the neck and back.

Heat:  Some people find that some heat via a wheat bag can be soothing for muscular related back and neck pain.

Seek Medical Help: See your General Practitioner for advice on pain management with medication.  Your GP may prescribe over the counter NSAID’s or something stronger if pain is extreme.

Osteopathic treatment can often help those suffering from an acute neck or back injury.  We will be able to give you an explanation to as to what injury you have, as well as providing treatment to help improve your range of movement and reduce your pain.  Techniques include:  Soft Tissue Massage, Manipulation, Stretching, Dry Needling, Taping techniques such as Kinesiotaping and Rocktaping and much more.

Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD 3000 leading Osteopathic Clinics.  We are located at 29 Somerset Place, Melbourne City CBD 3000 (near the corner of Little Bourke & Elizabeth St). Our clinic currently has Dr Abbas Din Osteopath available for appointments on Mondays & Thursdays.  Dr Heath Williams Osteopath is available Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays.

Appointments can be made by calling 03 9670 9290 or booking online @ www.principlefourosteopathy.com.