Most injuries to the neck and shoulders that result from simple muscle strain do not require surgical treatment. Following an accident caused by lifting heavy items, however, patients may experience pain and inflammation. Self-care during this period will assist the body's efforts at cellular repair and provide pain relief. Ignoring the body's warning signs can prolong recovery and leave the injured area open to further trauma. Acknowledging the need to take it easy marks the first step toward recovery.
Manage Activity
Rest represents the most critical type of first aid for a heavy-lifting injury. Immediately upon noticing a muscle strain, patients should stop what they are doing and not resume the activity, even if it means leaving a job unfinished. The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) recommends rest during the initial stage of strong muscle inflammation. This can last about two days. After that, patients should limit stress on the neck and shoulders until local pain disappears, and then gradually resume normal exercise.
Seek Pain Relief
Pain in the upper body signifies the presence of inflammation. Patients should address this issue by relieving pain, rather than toughing it out. Suffering adds nothing to the healing process, and patients can choose whether to treat pain with drugs or nonmedicinal ice therapy. The Cleveland Clinic notes that both remedies treat any kind of musculoskeletal pain, when muscles, vertebrae, bones, tendons or other tissues in the upper body have sustained damage. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin and ibuprofen, will control pain around the clock. Applications of ice packs for 20 minutes at a time can provide short-term pain relief that can be used as often as necessary.
Use Physical Aids
When sleeping or lying down to rest, patients should use a quality pillow that aligns the neck and shoulders in a neutral position. The APTA cautions against propping the head up with too many pillows; this only adds to muscle strain. For severe upper body injuries, a soft neck brace called a cervical collar may be worn while standing or sitting to relieve weight pressure from holding up the head.
Get Chiropractic Adjustments
In the wake of a muscle strain, weakness may result in poor upper body posture. This ongoing stress to the neck and shoulders can reignite the inflammatory response. As patients recover their strength, they can undergo a series of chiropractic treatments to relieve pressure on the neck and spine. The National Institutes of Health notes that millions of Americans use this effective approach for neck pain relief every year.
