Medical Treatment

The doctor most likely will recommend a treatment plan including a mixture of the following:

• Neck massage
  
  
• Neck rest
  
  
• Bed rest
  
  
• Ice therapy
  
  
• Heat therapy
  
  
• Oral pain relievers and muscle relaxers
  
  
• Immobilization of the neck with a soft cervical collar (only a minimal benefit if any at all)
  
  
• Early range of motion exercises combined with heat therapy starting 72 hours after the injury to restore flexibility
  
  
• Avoidance of excessive neck strain for the next week and then increased activity as tolerated in the following weeks