Chioma woke from a bus journey unable to turn her head right. A pharmacist had sold her a cervical collar. Mascot Healthcare told her the collar was the wrong approach — and the right treatment got her neck moving again in 3 days.
Bank officer. Presented with acute onset right-sided neck pain and stiffness after a 4-hour bus journey with the head resting at an angle against the window. Unable to rotate head to the right. No neurological symptoms. Had purchased a cervical collar from a pharmacy.
Cervical Muscle Strain (Neck Sprain)Chioma fell asleep on the Ibadan-Lagos bus with her head resting against the window at an angle. She woke an hour before Lagos with moderate neck stiffness. By the time she was home, she could not turn her head right more than 20°.
She went to a pharmacy the next morning. The pharmacist gave her a rigid cervical collar and naproxen. She wore the collar for 18 hours. Her neck was no better — if anything, stiffer.
She came to Mascot Healthcare the following day. The doctor examined her neck — no neurological signs, no midline tenderness (which would raise concern for bone injury), full power in the arms. "This is a cervical muscle strain," the doctor said. "And the collar is doing you no favours — your muscles need to move, not be immobilised."
Cervical muscle strain (neck sprain) from sustained awkward posture is common and usually resolves within days with the correct management. The key is movement — not immobilisation.
Sharp, constant right-sided neck pain — maximum at the origin of the right trapezius and levator scapulae.
Unable to rotate head to the right beyond 20° — significant restriction from muscle spasm.
Palpable tender, taut bands in the right cervical paraspinal muscles.
Neurological examination normal — no disc prolapse symptoms.
Flexion of the neck caused significant pain — making phone use and reading difficult.
Rigid cervical collar worn for 18 hours — appropriate for fracture or instability; worsens muscle sprain by preventing the movement needed for recovery.
Naproxen 500 mg — appropriate NSAID; insufficiently dosed and too short a duration.
Applying heat immediately — heat in the first 24 hours may increase oedema; ice is preferred acutely.
The cervical collar was removed. A short course of a painkiller was started, taken with food. A short course of a muscle relaxant was also given for muscle spasm relief. Heat pack after 24 hours (initial ice for 48 hours). Gentle cervical range-of-motion exercises: slow head rotation and side-bending in a pain-free range, 10 repetitions per direction × 4 times daily.
Postural advice: proper headrest use on public transport; ergonomic assessment of workstation (computer position); no phone use with neck in prolonged flexion.
She was told: cervical muscle strain typically resolves within 5–7 days with correct management. Return if pain worsens or neurological symptoms develop.
Cervical Muscle Strain (right paraspinal — sustained awkward posture; no neurological compromise; no bone injury)
Remove collar; a short course of a painkiller; a short course of a muscle relaxant; ice → heat transition; gentle neck ROM exercises; postural education
At 3 days: full rotation restored; pain 30% of original. At 1 week: fully resolved.
Full neck movement restored within 3 days of removing the collar and starting appropriate management. Completely resolved within 7 days.
Cervical collars worsen muscle strains — they prevent the gentle movement that speeds muscle healing. Remove the collar and start gentle neck exercises as soon as fracture is excluded.
Cervical muscle strain after prolonged awkward posture is common and typically resolves within a week with appropriate NSAIDs, muscle relaxant, and gentle movement.
A neck collar for muscle strain keeps you stiff longer. Gentle movement heals it — not immobilisation.
Book an appointment at Mascot Healthcare, Akoka — same-day slots often available, 4.9★ rated.