Recommended Treatment for a Back or Neck Injury

Injuries that affect our upper, middle, and lower spine can potentially debilitate us, making everyday life difficult. Simple movements like standing, sitting, and moving may bring unbearable pain, which severely limits our capabilities. Conditions affecting our neck and back don’t only cause localized discomfort but can radiate to different limbs and parts of our bodies, as well. Youn need to see an experienced neck or back injury doctor right away.

What are the best treatment options when we hurt ourselves in this way? This is dependent on the type of injury you have suffered and what services your doctor thinks is necessary to make a full recovery.

Common Back and Neck Injuries

When playing contact sports like football, enduring a car crash, or simply tripping over a curb while at the store, all of these situations can bring serious injuries to your spine. Don’t wait to get assessed by your doctor right away as you may have additional complications like a concussion or fracture.

Typical causes of back and neck injuries include:

• Lifting something heavy in an improper way
• Sports and exercise-related injuries
• Car accidents
• Slip and falls
• Tripping over objects
• Sudden twisting

Treatment and Prevention

Depending on the events surrounding the moment you injured your back or neck can determine the type of treatment you should receive. There are a few proactive steps you can take on your own to help alleviate pain and encourage healing:

• Alternate between heat and cold on the affected area
• Use over-the-counter anti-inflammatories to ease pain
• Improve your posture
• Practice gentle stretching to avoid reinjury from stiffness
• Get good rest

These are the more conservative treatments you can expect for a minor strain of the neck or spine. Whether you reached over to pick up a piece of paper wrong or woke up with your neck stiff and unable to move, many of these types of everyday injuries can take up to a month to heal.

Severe Neck and Spinal Trauma

After a car accident or spill off of a high ladder, an individual may discover that their neck and/or back injury has affected everything from the ability to sit upright to just taking a breath. The debilitating nature of these traumas may require you to visit several different healthcare providers.

Common types of spinal injuries that require specialty care options include:

• Vertebral fractures
• Torn ligaments
• Herniated discs
• Spinal stenosis
• Strains and/or sprains
• Whiplash
• Soft tissue injuries

Who Should You Trust For Spinal Injury Treatment?

The doctor you choose to see should have specialized training in spinal medicine and treatment to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and appropriate care plan. You may need to receive one or more of the care options below  :

• Chiropractic Care – This type of medical care is usually the first choice for acute low back pain that someone may experience after injuring their spine.
• Orthopedics – These are doctors who know everything about the musculoskeletal system and how to care for it. They have the training to treat spinal injuries and even perform surgery.
• Physical Therapy – Patients who have hurt their spines rely on these therapists to improve range of motion and manage their pain through strengthening.
• Pain Management Specialist – Though a specialist in this field focuses on managing your pain, they coordinate with other care providers to help you get a proper diagnosis of your back or neck injury and develop a treatment plan for your recovery.
• Neurological Care – When you go to see a neurologist, you probably received a referral to do so due to a back or neck injury that has affected your spinal cord, supporting muscles or peripheral nerves.