From the Guidelines
Sudden muscle strain in the neck during exercise can lead to several potential dangers, including acute pain, stiffness, and significantly reduced range of motion, and should be taken seriously to prevent long-term mobility issues and chronic pain. The immediate risks include impairment of daily activities and further exercise, while more severe consequences may involve muscle tears, ligament sprains, or nerve compression, potentially leading to chronic pain or long-term mobility issues if left untreated 1. In some cases, a sudden strain could exacerbate existing conditions like cervical disc problems or trigger headaches and migraines.
To prevent such injuries, it's crucial to:
- Maintain proper form during exercises
- Perform adequate warm-up routines
- Avoid sudden, jerky movements of the neck If a strain occurs, immediate rest, ice application, and gentle stretching can help. However, if pain persists or is severe, seeking medical attention is advisable to rule out more serious injuries and receive appropriate treatment, which may include physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or in rare cases, surgical intervention 1.
Some key factors to consider when exercising to minimize the risk of injury include:
- The frequency, duration, and intensity of physical training activity, as these are the most consistently identified predictors for injury risk 1
- Physical fitness level, as higher levels of aerobic fitness can reduce injury rates and provide an incentive to become more physically active 1
- Avoiding over-exercising, which can be identified by signs such as inability to finish a training session, inability to converse during activity, faintness or nausea after exercise, chronic fatigue, sleeplessness, and aches and pains in the joints 1.
It is essential to prioritize caution and seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen, as this can help prevent long-term consequences and ensure the best possible outcome in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Potential Dangers of Acute Cervical Muscle Strain
The potential dangers of acute cervical muscle strain during physical activity include:
- Muscle damage caused by strenuous and unaccustomed exercise, especially exercise involving eccentric muscle contractions, where muscles lengthen as they exert force 2
- Impairment in the amount and action of transport proteins for glucose and lactate/H+, and an increase in muscle stiffness and a prolonged loss in the muscle's ability to generate force 2
- Disturbances in calcium homeostasis, the inflammatory response, and the synthesis of stress proteins (heat shock proteins) 2
- Reduced muscle co-activation, which can lead to decreased neck flexor endurance and increased fatigue 3
Mechanisms of Muscle Damage
The mechanisms of muscle damage include:
- Mechanical factors such as tension and strain 2
- Neural, connective tissue or cellular adaptations 4
- Adaptation in excitation-contraction coupling or adaptation in the inflammatory response 4
- Irreversible sarcomere strain during eccentric contractions, which can lead to loss of contractile integrity and muscle damage 4
Risks of Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
The risks of exercise-induced muscle damage include: