Soccer is a contact sport and injuries are common. The nature of soccer tends to lead to ankle and leg strains, but neck pain is also possible. Reasons for a sore neck may be related to kicking a soccer ball or the sport may have brought another problem to the surface. See your doctor if the pain is disabling or if you have suffered head trauma during the game.
Strain
A strain of the neck muscles can occur from sudden twisting or tension. For a soccer player, kicking is a whole body movement. The force that propels the legs forward comes from the back and hips, as well as the leg. As you rotate your body before contact with the ball, you may pull the muscles in the neck and back. Poor posture when you are not playing may be a contributing factor, according to MayoClinic.com. Hunching over a computer keyboard or reading in bed can weaken the muscles. The kick may be too much for an already fatigued neck.
Whiplash Injury
During the game, your body may take some abuse that leads to a whiplash injury. For example, you may have had a collision with another player. Initially the pain can present as soreness but become more intense later in the game. It is possible the inflammation and discomfort you feel is not due specifically to the kick, but may still be from the game. Whiplash injures happen when the neck jerks forward and then back. This stress affects the connective tissue and causes tears, notes MayoClinic.com. The pain will be primarily on the sides of the neck with this form of trauma.
Treatment
Providing some basic first aid may help reduce the pain. Ideally, if the neck discomfort is severe, you will leave the game and apply ice to the injury immediately. This reduces the swelling. Leave the ice in place for at least 20 minutes. Reapply the ice several times for the next three days. If you experience any numbness in your fingers or have difficulty moving your neck, consult your doctor to rule out a more serious injury.
Considerations
Neck injuries in contact sports can be quite dangerous. If the pain begins during your kick, you can simply remove yourself from the game. However, if you fall while kicking the ball and feel pain, stay down until help arrives. You can do more damage to your neck and specifically your spinal cord by moving. If you receive a hit while kicking, do not move. Ask another player to get help. If you are unsure of how the injury occurred, err on the side of caution and call for an ambulance.
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