4 Upper Half: Head and Neck
Occupational therapy can assist with concerns from head to toe! While many different injuries can happen, two of the most common head or neck injuries are neck strains or concussions, according to the Center States Center for Ag Safety and Health (CS-CASH) (CS-CASH, 2024). Neck pain is the second most common musculoskeletal injury in farmers and rancher,s behind low back injuries (CS-CASH, 2024). Neck injuries can occur from accidents, lifting, sudden movements, or awkward positioning. Below you will find common injuries, signs and symptoms, and common conditions associated with the head and neck.
Common Injuries:
- Neck Strains – Overuse from long hours in awkward positions, like looking down while repairing equipment.
- Concussions – Falls, being kicked by livestock, or head injuries from machinery.
Signs & Symptoms:
- Neck Strain: Stiffness, pain when turning your head, muscle tightness.
- Concussion: Headache, dizziness, confusion, nausea, sensitivity to light/noise.
Common Conditions Associated with Head and Neck:
- Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE): a degenerative disease that can develop after repeated head injuries. This injury is commonly seen with football players but can occur in accidents commonly seen with farmers and ranchers such as falls, collisions, and injuries associated with animals.
- Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve): A condition that can occur when the disks in your spine weaken. Often, this happens in the upper half of your back or neck but can happen anywhere along the spine.
- Whiplash Associated Disorder (WAD or Whiplash): A common neck injury that can occur during automobile accidents. This condition often occurs on side-by-sides, four-wheelers, or other common farming and ranching vehicles.
Central States Center for Agricultural Safety and Health. (2024, July 9). Common injuries
Cleveland Clinic. (2025). Neck pain: 6 common causes and treatments. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved February 13, 2025, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21179-neck-pain
The Emergency Center. (2025). Head and neck injury. The Emergency Center. Retrieved February 25, 2025, from https://bit.ly/3h3jk7m
