Soft Tissue Injury Of The Neck

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The muscles and ligaments (soft tissue) of your neck are injured. An X-ray is not usually needed for us to decide how to treat your injury.

You should:
Take tablets such as paracetamol or ibuprofen regularly (both available from a chemist), to relieve the pain. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Perform these neck exercises:
• Sit or stand facing a mirror. Turn your head to the right and left and look over each shoulder.
• Tip your head forward and put your chin on your chest and then tip your head backwards and look at the ceiling.
• Bend your head to the right and left so that your ears touch your shoulders.
• Circle each shoulder separately so that it moves up to your ear and back down again.

Only do each exercise 3 or 4 times a day. If the movements hurt you, try to make them smaller. Muscular pains can get worse before they get better and it may take a couple of weeks before your neck improves. However, you should continue to move and use your neck, otherwise it will remain stiff and sore for longer. You should see your GP if you get any shooting pains down your arms, or if the pain persists beyond 2 weeks.

If you have any further queries, please contact:
• Emergency Department: 01908 995 913 ext. 2409 between 9am and 10 pm
• Hospital switchboard: 01908 660033 between 10pm and 9am
• NHS 111
• Your GP surgery