cervical neck collar isn’t just used to correct your posture. It’s also used to support and protect your neck and spinal cord. Cervical neck Collar is often used to treat neck injuries, neck surgery, and some neck pain conditions.

Cervical collars, also known as neck braces or C collars, are used to support your spinal cord and head. These collars are a common treatment option for neck injuries, neck surgeries, and some instances of neck pain.

Cervical neck collars come in soft and hard varieties.

Soft collars are usually made from materials such as felt, foam, or rubber. They fit snugly around your neck and sit below your jaw.
Hard collars are usually made from plexiglass or plastic. They restrict head rotation and side-to-side movement more than softer collars. They often have a chin support to allow the muscles in your neck to relax.

Read on to learn more about the benefits of a cervical collar as well as the potential side effects, especially if it’s worn out its long-term.

What are cervical collars used for?

The purpose of a neck brace is to support your neck and spinal cord, and to limit the movement of your neck and head. They’re typically meant for short-term use while you recover from an injury, surgery, or pain.

Some conditions that may require the use of a cervical collar include the following:

1. Whiplash and trauma. If you’ve been in a car accident or sustained some other kind of injury, like a fall, a cervical collar may protect your neck and prevent further injury.

2. Neck surgery. A cervical neck collar helps to prevent injury after surgery by limiting rotation, as well as side-to-side and back and forth movements.

3. Nerve compression. Cervical collars are occasionally used to reduce pressure on the nerves in the neck.

4. Cervical spondylosis. A cervical neck collar may cause temporary relief from pain caused by cervical spondylosis — an age-related condition that’s caused by wear and tear of cartilage and bones in the neck.

5.General neck pain or stiffness. A cervical neck collar may help to take some strain off your neck muscles.

Are there side effects to wearing a cervical collar?

Although cervical collars can help support and protect your neck in the short-term, research has shown that long-term use of a cervical collar may lead to weakening and stiffening of your neck muscles.

In cases of acute injury, this is largely unavoidable. Or, if you ‘re’ dealing with moderate neck pain, you may want to minimize the amount of time you wear a collar or ask your doctor about alternative treatments.