Neck support collars

katykat

When I last saw my GP I asked her how to go about finding a neck support collar and she told me that the NHS don't provide them any more as they do more harm than good. Apparently they make the neck muscles lazy! I only need to wear it on the days when my neck is so painful that it can't hold my head up! Anyone else been told this? I can get one online but I wonder if anyone else has one or has been advised against it?
Kate x

noeltone

Hi katykat Ifirst got one from the OT dept of my local hospital on my rheumy's authority but that was 22 odd years ago and opinions on them have changed, as you say it is thought the wearing off them for to long make the neck muscles lazy however i need to wear mine as the day goes on or when i am sitting for a long time or I am in the car or cant find a chair back that offers good support basically when my neck is painful and that does not take long to start i would not be without mine.

nearlybionic

Hi Katy
I was told this a few years ago when my neck was really painful. My gp said same, more harm than good. I was advised physio etc.. and used my wheat bag as a support.
I do have one from an A&E attendance years ago when I had an accident but I don`t like wearing it as I feel claustrophobic with it!! :shock:
I hope you find something that helps you.
NB

lindalegs

Hi Kate,

I'd be very careful because your neck ceases moving so easily. I haven't worn one and don't have alot of movement in my neck but I think if I'd relied on one my neck wouldn't move at all now

Sorry I can't help - hopefully others can.

Luv Legs

livinglegend

What I have done to help with neck pain, is fold a towel lengthways several times to form a long woolly snake and wound this loosely round my neck to help with support. With a giant safety pin to hold it in place. Not a nappy pin I might add before someone comments, but a kilt pin.


While I would agree that it should not be worn for long periods, I don't think there would be much muscle deterioration if worn for a few hours now and again.


Joseph 8)

frogmorton

livinglegend wrote:

What I have done to help with neck pain, is fold a towel lengthways several times to form a long woolly snake and wound this loosely round my neck to help with support. With a giant safety pin to hold it in place. Not a nappy pin I might add before someone comments, but a kilt pin.


While I would agree that it should not be worn for long periods, I don't think there would be much muscle deterioration if worn for a few hours now and again.


Joseph 8)

Have you got a kilt then Joseph?
Toni x

madwestie

Kate,i went to see the ot people at the hospital about 6 monthsago to renew my wrist splint and neck collar.
They said it was fine as long s i only wear it when the headaches (caused by OA) get really bad and they gave me some new type ones that have little beads in them and are much more comfortable and not so hot.

katykat

Thank you all so much for your advice. I can understand the thinking concerning neck muscles and I also have very limited movement in mine Legs. But on the days when the headache from hell puts in an appearance I walk round with both hands around my kneck just to take the weight :? I do have a kilt pin Joseph so I am going to try the towel method and I have a wheatbag somewhere too madwestie. NB I saw some beaded collars on a site I was looking at a few days ago so that is probably the one I would go for if the other ways don't help.
Thank you all for your help
Love Kate x

joyful164

I was put in one when I was 23 (now 64) when I slipped a disc in my neck. I was to keep wearing this and to take the painkillers and to rest. This was the instructions from my Gp but I was pregnant, and as it was the height of summer, very very hot, I finally went to an osteopath, which the medical fraternity did not agree with. Needless to say, my slipped disk was dealt with, but then I had problems from time to time and saw physios after that, They all said that collars are only needed when doing a job when you need support but not to wear them all the time because, as you say, they do weaken the other muscles. If you make the good muscles weak then the will not support to damaged muscles. The other day, I used my recently supplied collar when I was on my art course and it helped a lot.

joyful

woodbon

Hello, Yes, I get a lot of pain in my neck, but a neck support isn't recommended for the reasons stated by the others. More than 20 years ago, I had one from A&E after whiplash injury, but couldn't wear it as it seemed to force my neck into an uncomfortable position, and made it more stiff than before. Sometimes, now when my neck is really playing up, I wish I could support it, but often if I gently move my neck it frees if a bit and the pain is a little less.
Love Suex

joyful164

woodbon wrote:

Hello, Yes, I get a lot of pain in my neck, but a neck support isn't recommended for the reasons stated by the others. More than 20 years ago, I had one from A&E after whiplash injury, but couldn't wear it as it seemed to force my neck into an uncomfortable position, and made it more stiff than before. Sometimes, now when my neck is really playing up, I wish I could support it, but often if I gently move my neck it frees if a bit and the pain is a little less.
Love Suex

Hi Suex
Yes, I found the earlier collars very uncomfortable, but this one that I have, and you will laugh here, looks like a sanitary towel made for an elephant, don't laugh too much, you'll hurt your neck!!
Never mind, it was comfortable for awhile, but I couldn't wear it allthe time. Don't want to look like an elephant at the wrong time of the month, even if I feel like one. I think the rolled up hand towell a good idea.

Have fun

Joyfulx

suzster

sorry to butt in! my neck started hurting a few weeks ago out of the blue, i usually sleep with one of the memory foam pillows but now it's so painful even that pillow doesn't help. could this be RA?
i just worry about putting everything down to RA!
nut all the usual tricks that always cure a stiff nec k just don't help.
it is sore to turn my head, to look down, well most things hurt really!

katykat

Thank you again for replying. There seems to be a split in opinion and I can see both points of view. I have to say Noel if I had one today I would be wearing it. Thanks Sue and Joyful. (The description of the one you have conjures up a picture :P)
Suzter I'm sorry you are having so many problems and I really sympathise. Some days all the painkillers I take combined make no difference whatsoever to the pain or headache - and then it goes away for no reason that I can pin down (I wish I could). I will take both lots of advice. I won't wear one when I am coping but I will on the days that the pain is disabling. Love Kate x

mash65

hi,i brought a neck massager from a home catalogue.
they do quite a few gadgets.
the neck massager looks like a blue collar,not as big.switch it on & it vibrates,quite soothing. i used it the other day as no matter what i tried the pain wouldnt shift.but the next day i woke the pain in neck had shifted but my shoulder was frozen,couldnt move it at all.

i mostly have hot baths & use deep heat on my neck,shoulders & back.
but the massager gave me a day off from the pain,it doesnt always help but worth a try.
hope you all find some comfort somewhere. debsx

woodbon

joyful164 wrote:

woodbon wrote:

Hello, Yes, I get a lot of pain in my neck, but a neck support isn't recommended for the reasons stated by the others. More than 20 years ago, I had one from A&E after whiplash injury, but couldn't wear it as it seemed to force my neck into an uncomfortable position, and made it more stiff than before. Sometimes, now when my neck is really playing up, I wish I could support it, but often if I gently move my neck it frees if a bit and the pain is a little less.
Love Suex

Hi Suex
Yes, I found the earlier collars very uncomfortable, but this one that I have, and you will laugh here, looks like a sanitary towel made for an elephant, don't laugh too much, you'll hurt your neck!!
Never mind, it was comfortable for awhile, but I couldn't wear it allthe time. Don't want to look like an elephant at the wrong time of the month, even if I feel like one. I think the rolled up hand towell a good idea.

Have fun

Joyfulx

I like the discription, and yes, I did laugh out loud! Seriously, I might look into that as sometimes, just a bit of support and comfort especially when reading etc would be nice. Love Sue

livinglegend

frogmorton wrote:

Have you got a kilt then Joseph?
Toni x

Yes, in MacGregor tartan. Needed one when my daughter got married. So I bought the complete 8 yards full Highland kilt and all the extras. I still wear it when I go to Scotland on holiday even though I am sometimes the only person wearing one. Don't ask what I wear underneath, let's just say that its draughty sometimes.

Joseph 8)