Tips for Dealing with Neck Braces
For centuries, neck braces have been around to alleviate pain and add stability. Sometimes called cervical collars, neck braces are used to limit the mobility of the head, relieve neck pain, and allow recovery. One very popular use for neck support is for a neck injury sustained in a car accident. In fact, one study found that more than a million cases of whiplash occur in the United States annually and that nearly two-thirds of the victims will incur neck pain.
Reasons for Use of a Neck Brace
The most common reason a person might use this type of support is to relieve pain. The neck brace promotes neck support so that the weight of your head can be lessened while the soft tissues that have been injured have an opportunity to recover.
Another reason a person may need to wear a neck brace after spinal or neck surgery to hold your neck bones in line while you heal. The immobility component that a neck brace can provide her is paramount.
Finally, a patient will likely need a neck brace if you have a serious accident – like a fall or an automobile accident. Indeed, a neck brace may be placed on your neck as a precautionary measure until plausible or actual injuries to your neck can be assessed.
How Should a Neck Brace be Worn?
Different types of neck injuries call for different types of braces – from simple, one-piece, flexible wraparound collars to rigid holding components with pads supported by hard plastic. The type of brace that might be recommended to you depends on the severity of your neck pain and the length of time you will be wearing the brace.
For more serious injuries, more intensive neck support is required. Specifically, neck support that is provided by a brace that can be plastic on the outside and surrounded by soft pads on the inside. Patients will usually wear the recommended brace continuously and remove it for limited periods of time.
Keep in mind that a neck brace is a temporary device to help your neck heal and relieve neck pain. Patients should note that it is important to wear your recommended neck brace correctly to get the maximum benefit. Ultimately, a good neck brace should reduce motion but not cause discomfort, so let your physician know if your neck brace is uncomfortable.
Contact the Injury Care Center Today
After an injury, and during the period of time that you might be wearing a neck brace, it is likely that you will need to seek rehabilitative treatment for your injury. While a neck brace can help limit movement temporarily so that you can heal, understanding that your body does, in fact, need to regain as much of your range of motion as possible is where working with rehabilitation focused providers can help the most.
Our team of professional therapists and chiropractors at the Injury Care Center are here to ensure you experience a healing outcome after your injury.
