Anything that puts too much pressure or force on the neck or back can result in a neck and/or spinal injury.
Causes
Accidents with cars,
motorcycles, snowmobiles, toboggans, roller blades, etc.
Falls - especially from high places
Diving mishaps - from diving into water
that is too shallow
A hard blow to the neck or back while
playing a contact sport such as football
Violent acts such as a gunshot wound that
penetrates the head, neck, or trunk
Suspect a neck injury, too, if a head injury has occurred.
Some neck and spinal injuries can be serious because they could result in paralysis. These need emergency medical care. Others, such as whiplash, can be temporary, minor injuries.
A mild whiplash typically causes neck pain and stiffness the following day. Some people, though, have trouble raising their heads off the pillow the next morning. Physical therapy and a collar to support the neck are the most common types of treatment. It often takes 3 to 4 months for all symptoms to disappear.
Prevention
Use padded headrests in
your car to prevent whiplash.
Drive carefully and defensively.
Wear seat belts, both lap belts and
shoulder harnesses.
Buckle children into approved car seats
appropriate for their age.
Wear a helmet whenever you ride a bicycle
or motorcycle, or when you roller-skate or roller-blade.
Wear the recommended safety equipment for
contact sports.
Take care when jumping up and down on a
trampoline, climbing a ladder, or checking a roof.
Check the water's depth before diving into
it. Do not dive into water that is less than 9 feet deep. Never dive into an above-ground
pool.
{Note: If you suspect a neck or back injury in yourself or someone else, you must keep the neck and/or back perfectly still until an emergency crew arrives. Do not move someone with a suspected neck or spine injury unless the person must be moved because his or her life is in danger. Any movement of the head, neck or back could result in paralysis or death. Hold the head, neck and shoulders perfectly still. Use both of your hands, one on each side of the head.}
| Is the injured person not breathing and has no pulse? {Note: See CPR, but do not tilt the head back or move the head or neck when you do the "Airway and Breathing" part of CPR. Instead, pull the lower jaw (chin) forward to open the airway. Place your thumb(s) or fingers on the jawbones, just in front of and below the earlobes to do this. Also See "To Immobilize the Neck and/or Spine" under Self-Care Tips below.}  |
 |
| Is the injured person not breathing, but has a pulse? {Note: See Airway and Breathing. But do not tilt the head back or move the head or neck. Instead, pull the lower jaw (chin) forward to open the airway. Place your thumb(s) or fingers on the jawbones, just in front of and below the earlobes, to do this. Also see To Immobilize the Neck and/or Spine under Self-Care Tips below.} |
|
Does the injured person have any of these signs or symptoms? Paralysis Inability to open and close his or her
fingers or move his or her toes Feelings of numbness in the legs, arms,
shoulders, or any other part of the body Appearance that the head, neck, or back is
in an odd position. Immediate neck pain{Note: See To Immobilize the Neck and/or Spine under Self-Care Tips below.} |
|
| Are any of these present following a recent injury to the neck
and/or spine that did not get treated with emergency care at the time of the injury? Severe pain Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the face,
arms, or legs Loss of bladder control |
|
| Do you suspect a whiplash injury, or has pain from any injury to
the neck or back lasted longer than 1 week? |
 |
To
Immobilize the Neck and/or Spine:
Tell the victim to lie
still and not move his or her head, neck, back, etc.
Place rolled towels, articles of clothing,
etc. on both sides of the neck and/or body. Tie and wrap in place, but don't interfere
with the victim's breathing. If necessary, use both of your hands, one on each side of the
victim's head, to keep the head from moving.
To Move Someone with a Suspected Neck or Spinal
Injury:
Follow the above procedures and:
Select a stretcher, door, or other
rigid board.
Several people should carefully lift and
move the person onto the board, being very careful to align the head and neck in a
straight line with the spine. The head should not rotate or bend forward or backward.
Make sure one person uses both of his or
her hands, one on each side of the victim's head, to keep the head from moving. If you
can, immobilize the neck and/or spine by placing rolled towels, articles of clothing,
etc., on both sides of the neck and/or body. Tie and wrap in place, but don't interfere
with the victim's breathing.
To Move Someone You Suspect has Injured His or
Her Neck in a Diving or Other Water Accident:
Before emergency care arrives:
Protect the neck and/or spine from
bending or twisting. Place your hands on both sides of the neck and keep in place until
help arrives.
If the person is still in the water, help
the person float until a rigid board can be slipped under the head and body, at least as
far down as the buttocks.
If no board is available, several people
should take the person out of the water, supporting the head and body as one unit, making
sure the head does not rotate or bend in any direction.
If
You Suspect a Whiplash Injury:
See your doctor as soon
as you can so he or she can assess the extent of injury.
For the first 24 hours, apply ice packs to
the injured area for up to 20 minutes every hour.
To make an ice pack, wrap ice in a face towel or cloth.
After 24 hours, use ice packs or heat,
whichever works best, to relieve the pain. Ways to apply heat:
Take a hot shower for 20 minutes a few times a day.
Use a hot-water bottle, heating pad (set on low), or heat lamp directed to the neck for
10 minutes several times a day. (Use caution
not to burn the skin.)
Use a cervical pillow or a small rolled
towel placed behind your neck instead of a regular pillow.
Wrap a folded towel around the neck to help
hold the head in one position during the night.
If your arm or hand is numb, ask your
doctor about a cervical-traction device.
Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain.
{Note: See Pain relievers
in Your Home Pharmacy.}
Get plenty of rest.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 04/21/99