Neck braces have been in existence for a very long time. Neck braces, also known as cervical collars, are known to help prevent movement of the head, decrease neck pain and allow neck injuries to heal. It is important to learn how and when to use a neck brace to prevent further trauma to the neck.
What is a Neck Brace Used for?
If you have suffered from a traumatic injury that affected your neck, your doctor will recommend using a cervical collar. This is common when a person has experienced an injury to the neck in order to keep the head immobile and provide pain relief. The usage of a brace can stop the occurrence of spinal damage as well as paralysis in the neck.
Physicians also recommend using a neck brace to help a patient heal from spinal or neck surgery. The adult neck brace should be used until the surgical incision and the neck area have both fully healed.
One of the most common reasons for the prescription of a neck brace is neck pain. Though it is not considered to be a cure, it does help alleviate and manage the pain in a beneficial way. It should be used only if prescribed by a physician and in the manner the physician has recommended.
Whiplash can also be a reason for using a neck brace especially when it is related to neck injuries. The tissue that is located by the spine can be injured and as a result, a cervical collar is required. In addition, neck pain exercises may also be recommended.
Neck collars help to ensure the spinal cord is aligned or re-aligned properly. This is important to alleviate pain in the neck.
Some cervical collars for the neck are used by athletes to protect themselves from neck injury.
How to Use:
Your doctor will usually tell you how to use a brace neck to get the maximum benefit but in general, the guidelines below will help you.
- The neck brace should fit tightly around the neck but without causing a choke hold. It should be tight enough to prevent any head and neck movement. Your chin should be on the chin guard and not over or inside the cervical collar.
- Keep your hair or beard outside of the device.
- The bottom padded part should rest on the top of the chest without obstructing comfort.
- They need to be maintained and cleaned regularly just like clothing does. Use a soap that is mild and dry the pads properly. Always use a clean neck brace.
- There are also braces that have supports on them and they should be cleaned and dried just like the regular braces. Do not use cleaning solutions that can harm the device. Only use safe and gentle solutions that will not damage your neck cushion.
To get the maximum benefit of using a neck roll, you must use it according to a physician’s instructions or the manufacturer’s instruction. Not doing so can result in a more serious injury than what you started with. Always use your cervical brace exactly as recommended by the manufacturer for lasting neck pain relief.
