PART 2: C-COLLAR: THE FRIENDLY FOE!

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A quick question for us, did we remember to:

  • Sit properly

  • Stand properly

  • Pick up objects with your knees, this week. 

If yes – good job!

If no – it is alright. We start from somewhere.

Or perhaps you did some days, it is all right, you are doing a great job. 

Quickly, let us dive in for today's digest on C-collar.


Last week, we started out on C-collar and how it might actually lead to more damage. We were on the verge of discussing what else could be done aside from C-collar or with C-collar when the bell signaled it was time up.


How about we dive into that now…


If not C-collar, what is it? 

A tricky question, we must say; but let us briefly talk about why C-collar would actually be needed.

Why C-collar? 

Our necks are powerful structures needed for life. Researches have also shown that an injury or damage to the cervical spine (C1-C7) can lead to respiratory issues (i.e. breathing difficulties) and would also lead to an automatic paraplegia (meaning the individual loses the ability to ever walk). This sounds scary because the neck simply looks like a structure holding the head and body. 


At other times, it could be a simple neck pain an individual has that is causing a recurrent headache. 

Hold on now…take a deep breath and don't think too far - we do not fall into that category. 


Here's the catch…

This understanding is why neurosurgeons would prescribe a C-collar for an individual with a suspected or proven neck fracture. At that point, their aim is simply to promote healing of the fracture; and the C-collar is needed to immobilize the neck region and avoid unnecessary movement. However this is commonly seen in people who were involved in an accident. 

With this, we now understand why we mentioned that C-collar has its benefits. While it has its benefits, this is where the concern lies for the physiotherapist - immobilizing the neck region to avoid unnecessary movement; which is what most people do when they have neck pains. They opt for C-collar. 

Stop that.

Why do we have an issue?

We have to understand that to the Physiotherapist, movement is life and lack of movement leads to death. However before we start thinking that any pain in our neck is from a trauma, there is a major cause of neck pain that almost everyone experiences – musculoskeletal pain as a result of wrong postures. We mentioned this last week? Did you take time to deliberately adjust yourself during the week?


However, for musculoskeletal issues, what do we advise - definitely not C-collar as a first treatment. We want to teach us how to sit properly and align our necks.

Many times, just as we might be doing now, our heads are bent over as we press our phones or use our laptops, that position is wrong and leads to a lot of tension around the neck. 

Therefore what should we do, simple…


We should learn how to raise our phones to our eye level to avoid excessive bending of the neck. 

The picture below would explain - Courtesy of RedStone Life


Some individuals also have cervical spondylosis, this is an entire different discussion. Today we would only focus on neck pain due to wrong posture and here are some tips on how to relieve ourselves.

  • Stop bending our heads for a prolonged period of time. 

If situation warrants this, after thirty minutes, take a break - 

  • Bend the head upwards, count 10

  • Bend it down, count 10, 

  • Bend it to the right to almost reach the shoulder, count 10 (apply to the opposite side)

  • Turn it to the right to align with the shoulder, count 10 (apply to the opposite side)

  • Move the shoulders up then take it backwards, repeat 10 times.

That is all.


We help ourselves by relieving the tension. This is what most people need rather than opting for a c-collar. 

C-collar simply helps to prevent movement which would cause more harm than good for people with postural problems. 


However if the neck pain is not as a result of posture, it is advisable to consult a Physiotherapist because irrespective of having a collar on, we can still manage the condition. Or reach us via thephysiodiary@gmail.com.

That would be all for this week.

Did we learn something new?

Until next week,

Best regards.

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