A torn neck tendon is often referred to as neck strain, a common condition that typically causes temporary pain and stiffness in the neck. A torn tendon can greatly reduce mobility of your head, hindering your ability to work out at full intensity. Whether you sustained the injury from a direct blow while playing sports, suffered whiplash in a car accident or awoke with stiffness and pain after sleeping in an awkward position, your treatment plan will likely require a period of rest. Once pain and other symptoms subside, your doctor or therapist will probably give you the go-ahead to return to the gym, but expect to start back slowly, gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts as your comfort level allows.
Symptoms
In addition to neck pain, a torn neck tendon can result in stiffness, dizziness, weakness, headache, muscle spasm, swelling, burning or tingling, all of which can affect your ability to work out comfortably. Symptoms can range from mildly uncomfortable to extreme. If you aren't sure about the severity of your condition, talk to your doctor. He will ask how and when the injury occurred, note your symptoms, examine your neck, and make treatment recommendations. He might recommend that you see a physical therapist.
Treatment
If you suffered only minor tearing, self-care treatments will likely help reduce pain and promote healing of a damaged neck tendon. If you find that pain increases when you move your head, back off from rigorous activity and keep your head and neck immobile. Your doctor will likely prescribe rest immediately after your injury. Limit movement of your head and neck as much as possible to avoid aggravating the tendon.
Place an ice pack on the affected area for 20 to 30 minutes every three or four hours for two to three days. Your doctor might suggest anti-inflammatory medication or massage to increase circulation and reduce tension. He might also recommend use of a cervical collar for several days to support your head and help remove pressure from your neck.
Recovery Time
Numerous factors affect recovery from tendon damage, including your age, overall health, pre-existing neck problems and the severity of your injury. If your injury is mild, you might recover completely within a few weeks, but a more severe injury may plague you for six weeks or more, significantly delaying your return to the gym. Discuss with your doctor when you can expect to return to previous training levels.
Working Out
If your injury was severe enough to require rehab under the guidance of a physical therapist, it's critical that you discuss with her the risks involved with working out. Resuming exercise too quickly after an injury can delay healing and prolong pain. Once your doctor or therapist has signed off on light exercise, opt for activities that don't put stress on the your neck.
The American Physical Therapy Association notes that low-impact exercise such as swimming, walking and use of a stationary bike can actually promote healing and help relieve pain. Ask your therapist to suggest a safe, pain-free workout plan based on her evaluation of your particular injury and the progress you've made toward recovery.
References
- Upstate Medical University: Neck Strain
- American Physical Therapy Association: What You Need to Know About Neck Pain
- Complete Guide to Sports Injuries; H. Winter Griffith
