Neck Pain, Muscle Strain (Torticollis)

This is pain or discomfort in the back, side or front of the neck.

Another medical term for it is torticollis.

This includes minor muscle strain from neck overuse.

The neck may have limited range of movement due to the pain from the strain.

This pain can last for a few days up to a few weeks.

• The recovery time depends on how much of a strain there is and how many muscles are strained.

This usually happens from overuse of the neck muscles.

• Screen time is a common cause and sometimes is referred to as “tech neck”.

• Reading a book for hours without a break is another cause.

Sleeping in the wrong position can cause it.

Car accidents or sports injuries can cause it.  

Swollen lymph nodes can cause this.

• They can cause an irritation or spasm in the muscle that the lymph node lies against.

Sore throats can cause pain in the neck muscles.

The head is often shifted to one side to help ease the pain from the neck.

The neck usually hurts when moved back or to the side opposite the pain.

• The neck may or may not hurt when looking down.

The neck muscles are often sore to the touch.

A swollen lymph node may be painful and feel warm.

• Swollen lymph nodes can cause a fever as well.

Your child’s primary care provider will ask you and your child questions about the pain.

Your child’s primary care provider will do a physical exam on your child.

Usually, the diagnosis can be made with the questions and an exam.

Imaging like an xray or labs are usually not needed unless:

• Your child has symptoms concerning for strep, then they may have a throat swab done.

• Your child is showing symptoms of the flu, then a nose swab maybe done.

To avoid “tech neck” from overuse of electronics, set timers to take breaks.

• Follow this same advice when reading or doing homework for hours at a time.

Be sure to stretch prior to any exercise.

• Try to take part in lots of different activities to use many different muscles.

When feeling tired, try to rest in a comfortable position.

• Hopefully this avoids falling asleep in an awkward position accidentally.

Be sure to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, exercise and get sleep, to keep yourself healthy and protected from illness.

• The healthier you are, the less work your lymph nodes have to do to fight illnesses.

Pain relieving medication like ibuprofen and acetaminophen can help.

• Ibuprofen is more helpful since it helps treat the inflammation that is causing the pain as well.

• Acetaminophen helps with pain but not inflammation.

Gentle stretching is helpful to keep your neck muscles from getting stiff.

• Massaging the muscle(s) can help as well.

• Avoid any motions that increase the pain.  

  

During the first few days of the pain, ice is helpful.

• After this you can use heat and ice by alternating.

• Avoid falling asleep with a heat or ice on you to avoid burns or frostbite.

• A good approach is 10 to 20 minutes of ice or heat followed by 10 to 20 minutes off.

Epsom salt soaks can help.

• Place a washcloth in the epsom salt soak, gently ring it out and place on painful part of neck.

If you are being treated with an antibiotic for a bacterial illness, be sure to take the medication as prescribed.

The neck pain is getting worse or not improving.

The pain starts to shoot into the arms, upper back or legs.

The pain lasts for more than two weeks.

Your child has a fever, sore throat, or other symptoms.

You think your child needs to be seen.