Question
I am a 23 year old former gymnast.  About five weeks ago I did a tumbling pass that I never tried before, a front handspring roudi into a back handspring.  Going into the back handspring I was not able to get my arms back in time, and I landed pretty much directly on my head.  I have had pain in my neck since that incident.

When I tilt my neck forward, I feel pain on each side of the spine in the back of the neck.  When I tilt my neck to the side, I feel pain on the side of my neck.  For these three positions, the pain feels like it is coming from the muscles.  When I tilt my head backward, I feel it on both sides of my neck, but I also feel pain in the center, where the spine is.  This pain does not feel like it is coming from the muscles.

I have been resting it since then, and it has been getting better over time, but I anticipated to be completely healed by now.  I have not been massaging or heating my neck, and I have not been taking ibuprofen.  

I would like to know if doing those things that I mentioned would help me heal faster?  Are there any exercises I should do to strengthen my neck?  Should I see a doctor?

Thank you,
Darren

Answer
Dear Darren,

The first thing that you should do is get an examination, complete with neck x-rays. The important thing following neck trauma is to rule out any possible fracture. Sometimes, fractures are not immediately evident when they happen, and the best way to rule them out is with imaging.

Once a fracture is ruled out and you physicians determines that the neck is stable, then some therapy might be in order for you.

Injuries to the neck can be very serious. Please make sure that everything is OK before you attempt any remedy or treatment.

I hope that this gives you some ideas, and that you heal quickly.

Keith Biggs, DC
http://www.eastmesachiropractor.com