Neck injury at work or in a car accident: medical supplies a doctor may prescribe for home recovery

Common work injuries to the neck

The classic car-accident neck injury happens when the head is thrown forward and back in a rear-end collision. Work injuries come from different directions: a fall, a blow from a falling object, a sudden jerk while lifting, or years of overhead work such as electrical installation, painting or drywall that strains the neck in one position.

Desk and driving jobs bring their own pattern — hours with the head held forward toward a screen or the road, leading to muscle strain and stiffness.

More serious injuries can affect the discs between the vertebrae and irritate nerves, causing pain, tingling or weakness in the arm. Some people eventually need surgery, such as a cervical fusion.

• Strains after rear-end collisions
• Injuries from falls or falling objects
• Overhead work and prolonged forward head posture
• Disc injuries affecting nerves in the arm
• Recovery after cervical fusion surgery

Devices a doctor may prescribe

Cervical collars, neck strengthening programs and stimulation devices are options a doctor may consider at different stages. Early on, a collar may be used to limit movement. Later, once your doctor or therapist says it's safe, strengthening may begin. Heat, light and stimulation devices may be part of the plan along the way.

After cervical fusion, some surgeons prescribe a bone growth stimulator. Only your surgeon can decide whether that's appropriate.

These are the neck-related devices in the Prescriptions.plus program, by their program names. Each is prescribed by a doctor and supplied through our medical-supply partner.

• Prescriptions.plus SupportLine Bracing — cervical collars to support and limit movement
• NeckStrong Cervical Trainer — a neck-strengthening device with a 12-week home program, typically after the acute phase
• DualStim TENS/NMES Unit — nerve and muscle stimulation, used as your provider directs
• PulseWrap PEMF Recovery Wrap — a cervical garment combining a pulsed electromagnetic field with heat
• LumaHeal Red Light Pad — infrared heat and low-level red light with cervical placement
• BoneBoost Growth Stimulators — cervical fusion stimulators some surgeons prescribe

Questions to ask your doctor

Timing is the big question with neck injuries. A collar that helps early can be wrong later, and strengthening that helps later can be wrong early. Ask your doctor where you are in that sequence.

If your job involves driving, ask when it's safe to drive again — especially while wearing a collar or taking medication that causes drowsiness.

For any light or heat device used near the face, ask about eye protection and positioning.

If you sleep poorly because of neck pain, mention it. Your doctor may have advice on pillow and sleeping position that works alongside any device.

• Do I need a collar, and for how long?
• When is it safe to start strengthening?
• Where do stimulation pads go on my neck and shoulders?
• Do I need eye protection with a light pad?
• After fusion, will I need a bone growth stimulator?
• When can I drive and return to my usual work?

When to get care right away

New numbness, weakness or a head injury needs prompt medical evaluation — no device is a substitute for that. Get care right away if you notice any of the signs below, especially after a fall or collision.

Medical emergency? Call 911.

Patients, doctors and clinics, and employers or adjusters can request more information about the devices on this page using the form provided. Your adjuster or insurer can tell you whether a claim or policy covers a device.

• New numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms or hands
• Trouble walking or loss of balance
• Severe headache, confusion or vomiting after a head injury
• Loss of bladder or bowel control
• Neck pain with fever