1. Least Effective Exercises Slideshow
2. Dehydration Slideshow
3. First Aid Care and Pain Relief for Minor Injuries

Medical Author:

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.

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Medical Editor:

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP

Dr. Balentine received his undergraduate degree from McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He attended medical school at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine graduating in1983. He completed his internship at St. Joseph's Hospital in Philadelphia and his Emergency Medicine residency at Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center in the Bronx, where he served as chief resident.

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In most people with a neck strain, the acute phase of pain typically lasts only one to two weeks and may be helped by using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen. (It is important to note that NSAIDs should be avoided by any person with a history of peptic ulcer disease, gastrointestinal bleeding, or kidney disease, and that long-term use of these agents has been associated with kidney failure.) Typical over-the-counter preparations that could be used include the following:

• Ibuprofen (Advil and Motrin are brand name examples) taken with food three to four times daily as needed, for no longer than five days
  
  
• Acetaminophen (such as the brand name Tylenol) taken every four to six hours, as needed, for no longer than three to five days of continued use
  
  
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve is one brand name) taken with food every 12 hours, as needed, for no longer than five days of continued use

Other drugs may be offered by your doctor to treat pain when it is not controlled with over-the-counter remedies. They include a short course of corticosteroids such as prednisone, and opioid-containing pain relievers such as codeine, propoxyphene, and others. They are often used in combination with acetaminophen or, less commonly, with ibuprofen. As will all medications, side effects can occur; if taking any of these medications long term, you should discuss with your doctor and pharmacist the potential dangers associated with the medications.

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See the Entire Neck Strain Topic Guide »