1. Thin Line of Neck Injury and Irritation
Almost everyone experiences a crick in the neck or some kind of soreness or discomfort. The cause of this discomfort can be something as simple as a night of sleeping in a bad position or strain from overuse in a new exercise or sport. The problem is that these seemingly mild and common symptoms can also indicate real neck injury. This means the first and most important step in identifying whether a symptom is a neck injury is not dismissing the signs but, instead, being very aware and observant about what's going on in the neck and other parts of the body.
2. Make a List
Writing down all the symptoms you experience (or the person you're trying to help is experiencing) is an excellent way to begin the process of identifying a neck injury. Begin with the neck and note the level of pain or discomfort and exact position relative to other anatomical features (the ear lobe, for example, is a good marker). Then note any other symptoms you might be experiencing anywhere on your body. Pay particular attention to any tingling, numbness, difficulty walking and problems with range of motion (turning your head one way or the other). Add notes as to when each symptom appeared to help you or your doctor identify the neck injury.
3. Think of the Event
One of the most important factors in identifying a neck injury is think about the putative cause of the pain or discomfort. A traumatic or violent event like a car accident (or any other kind of physical accident) is a good sign that you are injured. If you can identify an accident or physical trauma then you should go to a doctor or emergency room immediately since the problem could be a spinal injury or some other very serious injury. If there's a small cause such as sleeping in a strange position, make a note of it since it's also important in later stages of diagnoses.
4. Take a Load Off
If you can't identify any serious accident or cause of the neck pain, and you don't have pain, tingling or numbness in any other part of your body (particularly your arms), then your best course of action is to lie down with a warm compress and avoid any weight bearing activity. An Epsom salt bath is also a good option. If the pain doesn't go away within a day or so then you probably have an injury and need to see a doctor. In all cases, however, a doctor will be the best option for identifying the exact problem with your neck.
