Neck & Shoulder

What It Is

There are seven vertebrae in the neck. They support the head and connect it to the shoulders and body. A fracture (break) in one of the cervical vertebrae is commonly called a broken neck (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Most of the time, these injuries are the result of high-energy trauma, such as a car accident or a fall (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Neck fractures can occur when (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.):

Football players "spear" opponents with their head.
Ice hockey players are struck from behind and rammed into the boards.
Gymnasts miss the high bar when performing a release move and end up falling.
Divers strike the bottom of a shallow pool.

Injuries to the vertebrae can have serious consequences, because the spinal cord, the main connection between the brain and the body, runs through the centre of the vertebrae. Damage to the spinal cord can cause paralysis or death (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Not every neck fracture damages the spinal cord. It is possible to fracture a vertebra with a small crack, or to break one of the bony projections of the vertebra. The greatest danger is when the injury affects the spinal cord, which can cause temporary or permanent paralysis of the body from the neck down (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

In elderly people, even a ground-level fall, such as falling off a chair, can cause a neck fracture (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Being aged 65 or over is one of the things that puts a person at high risk of a neck injury after an accident (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016). Any suspected neck fracture, however minor the fall, needs urgent medical assessment.

Neck Fracture Anatomy

The neck is known medically as the cervical spine. Sometimes this condition is called a cervical fracture. The spinal cord runs through the centre of the spinal column. This thick bundle of nerves starts at the base of the brain and relays messages between the brain and the body (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). Shock-absorbing discs sit between the vertebrae, and muscles and strong ligaments help to hold the column together and keep it stable. All of these structures work together to surround, protect and support the spinal cord (Cleveland Clinic, 2022).

Each vertebra has a number of bony projections that come off it; two of them are called the transverse processes, and one is called the spinous process. It is possible to fracture these parts of the bone.

Not a diagnosis — for more information, contact me or another trusted healthcare provider.

Treatment

Self-Care & Treatment

How Neck Fractures Are Treated

1. Immobilisation

Whenever there is a chance of a broken neck, keeping the neck still is vital. This is done by paramedics and emergency staff, who keep the head and spine in line while the person is moved to hospital (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

In athletes wearing a helmet and shoulder pads, do not try to remove them yourself. The priority is keeping the neck in line; removing the equipment should be left to trained emergency personnel at the scene, who have the skills to do this while keeping neck movement to a minimum (Mills et al., 2020).

2. Hospital Treatment

At hospital, doctors will examine the nerves and may order scans such as CT or MRI to see how serious the injury is. Treatment depends on which vertebra is damaged and the type of fracture (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). Always follow your medical team's own instructions.

3. Rehabilitation

Once your medical team says it is safe, I can support your recovery with gentle hands-on work and exercise to ease stiffness and rebuild strength. See the My Approach tab for how I work.

When your medical team says it is safe, a physiotherapist can guide you through exercises to restore movement and strength. Talk to your medical team before returning to sport, lifting or other physical activities.

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Options outside my scope

Cervical brace or collar: a minor fracture can be treated with a brace worn until the bone heals (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Halo vest: a rigid device that holds the head and neck still while a more serious fracture heals (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Traction: a way of gently pulling the neck into line, sometimes used for larger or more complex fractures (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Surgery: an operation to put the bones back into alignment and hold them in place, sometimes with metal plates and screws (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

How I can help (see the My Approach tab)

Easing the shoulders and upper back while you're braced
Gentle neck movement and scar work once your team says it's safe
Rebuilding neck and shoulder strength and a gradual return to activity

Tips

Always wear a seat belt when you are driving or are a passenger in a car (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Never dive into the shallow end of a pool or into any water where you cannot see how deep it is. Make sure young people are properly supervised when they are swimming and diving (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
When playing sports, wear the proper protective equipment and follow all the safety rules of the sport, such as having a spotter and suitable cushioning mats (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).
Avoid getting involved in physical fights.
As you grow older, falls are more likely to cause a neck fracture. Check your home is safe: small changes such as taping down rugs and fitting handrails near toilets, showers and baths can help reduce the risk of falls (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.).

Treatment

My Approach

After a neck fracture, the bone and spinal cord need protecting while it heals, but time in a collar or halo vest leaves the neck stiff and the shoulders working overtime. Your medical team decides how long you're braced and when the neck can move again. I work inside those limits and need their okay before any hands-on treatment.

Please bring any X-ray or scan reports and notes from your medical team to your first visit. They're an important part of planning safe treatment for you.

While You're Braced

No work on the neck itself, and nothing that moves your head
Gentle work on the shoulders, upper back, arms and legs, keeping clear of any pin sites
Breathing, relaxation and gentle movement for joints that aren't involved

Once Your Team Clears the Neck

Gentle massage for the neck and shoulders, and scar work once any wound has healed
Pain-free neck movement, then gentle mobilisation for stiff joints, with no quick thrusts
A small 'yes' nod lying down, then shoulder blade and upper back strength
A home programme, then a gradual return to lifting, sport and gym work once your team agrees

If you notice new or worsening numbness, tingling or weakness, call 911 or go to the emergency room (see Warning Signs: Call 911).

What to Expect

Typical Course

Typical course: While you're braced, short visits around once a week usually work well, if your team agrees. Once the neck is cleared, most people come once or twice a week, then weekly, with a reassessment at about 4 to 6 weeks, and then less often. Your team decides how long you're braced; after that, getting movement and strength back usually takes several weeks to a few months.

What I Focus On

Working Within Your Team's Limits

Compensation Relief

Scar & Neck Mobility

Deep Neck Strength

Gradual Return to Activity

Please read

When to See a Doctor First

Warning Signs: Call 911

If you think someone may have broken their neck, call 911 straight away and keep them still while you wait for help. If you have hurt your own neck and have any of the signs below, call 911 or go to the emergency room at your nearest hospital, but do not drive yourself. In an accident, the neck should be kept still until X-rays have been taken and reviewed by a doctor, and emergency crews will treat any unconscious person as if they have a neck injury (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.). After a neck injury, warning signs include (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, n.d.; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016):

neck pain, which may or may not be severe
pain spreading from the neck to the shoulders or arms
bruising and swelling at the back of the neck
pins and needles (tingling) or numbness in the arms or legs
weakness or paralysis

An injury from a dangerous mechanism, such as a fall from a height of more than 1 metre or 5 steps, a diving accident, or a high-speed or rollover car crash, also puts a person at high risk of a neck injury (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2016).

Sources

References

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (n.d.) Cervical fracture (broken neck). OrthoInfo. Available at: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/cervical-fracture-broken-neck/ (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016) Spinal injury: assessment and initial management (NG41). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng41/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 October 2026).
Mills, B.M. et al. (2020) 'Consensus recommendations on the prehospital care of the injured athlete with a suspected catastrophic cervical spine injury', Journal of Athletic Training, 55(6), pp. 563–572. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-0434.19.
Cleveland Clinic (2022) Cervical spine. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22278-cervical-spine (Accessed: 7 October 2026).

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooNeck Fracture

What It Is

Neck Fracture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How Neck Fractures Are Treated

1. Immobilisation

2. Hospital Treatment

3. Rehabilitation

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Tips

My Approach

While You're Braced

Once Your Team Clears the Neck

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

Warning Signs: Call 911

References

Related Conditions

Book a session

Massage therapy · Kitchener–WaterlooNeck Fracture

What It Is

Neck Fracture Anatomy

Self-Care & Treatment

How Neck Fractures Are Treated

1. Immobilisation

2. Hospital Treatment

3. Rehabilitation

Treatments you may want to discuss with your family doctor, nurse practitioner or medical team

Tips

My Approach

While You're Braced

Once Your Team Clears the Neck

Typical Course

When to See a Doctor First

Warning Signs: Call 911

References

Related Conditions

Acromioclavicular Joint Separation

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Elbow

Biceps Tendon Tear at the Shoulder

Burners and Stingers

Book a session