Cervical Collar - Why You Should Avoid One

Cervical Collar

Have you have seen a cervical collar, one of these huge, cream colored foam things which makes the person's head sit awkwardly above their neck and shoulders?

Interestingly, the original cervical collar came about during the Vietnam War, in an attempt to provide better stabilization of the neck of injured soldiers. The continued development of a neck stabilizer for severely injured patients led to today's foam and hard plastic neck braces.

It became very popular to strap any car accident patient into a neck brace and send them home, the idea being that the brace would aide in the healing of the neck injury.

Luckily, these collars are less and less popular with most experienced medical doctors who see whiplash patients.

The Purpose Of A Cervical Collar

The cervical collar was created to lessen the movement of a potentially severely injured cervical spine, and prevent further injury or paralysis. These collars were used to get people from the battleground to the hospital, minimizing damage and injury while the patient was transported.

However, many doctors adapted this limited use of the neck brace as a life saving device, and began sending their car accident patients, diagnosed with whiplash, home wearing them. Your head is heavy, think 15 pounds, bowling ball heavy, and it is supported by the bones of your upper spine and the muscles in your neck. It was logical to believe that a neck brace could help whiplash patients heal faster from their injuries.

Over time it was discovered that a neck brace actually caused more problems for those suffering whiplash than not using one. The neck brace can create weakness in your neck, as your neck muscles are not being engaged to help hold your head up. At first, for a few days , this actually feels pretty good.

But, after about the third day, your neck muscles can begin to weaken and, over time, atrophy. So, now when you remove the neck brace, you are in a position of needing to strengthen weak neck muscles, and deal with the additional pain from your weakened neck as you start using it again.

Neck Pain Relief

I understand how much your neck hurts. Not only have I treated hundreds of patients suffering from whiplash, in the last 20 years, I also experienced this same intense pain in my neck from my first car accident. I understand the desire to support your head in an attempt to make your neck pain go away. Avoid the temptation to order and wear a neck brace, in the long term it will take you longer to heal if you wear one.

Instead, head over to this page on our site, towel therapy, and explore how to use a bath towel to give your neck support and to relieve some of the pressure and pain you are experiencing.

Also, explore our conversation about pain relief gels. Both of these at home therapies can help to lessen your pain, and you can take pain relief gel to work to help get you through your day.

And finally, give us a call, or contact us here, Seattle Massage Therapy and let us help you by providing you with a therapeutic massage, the best and fastest treatment to get long lasting pain relief.