Aftermath of a Chokehold: Concerns About My Voice
I’m a 23-year-old female, and recently while goofing around with friends during a play wrestling session, one of the guys put me in a chokehold. Ever since that night, I've been experiencing soreness in my neck, which has lingered for about two days. Although I tend to bruise easily, the minimal bruising I have seems to be improving. Currently, my voice has taken on a raspy quality, and I’ve noticed some discomfort when swallowing. There’s also a bit of tenderness when I touch my throat, but thankfully, this discomfort has lessened over the past few days. I’m starting to worry about the possibility of an injury—whether something might be broken or damaged, especially after reading information suggesting I should visit a doctor to rule out a carotid artery injury. However, I’m hesitant to have my parents find out about it. I’ve been managing the pain by using ice and taking acetaminophen to alleviate the symptoms. Should I be worried about any serious issues, or is this something that will likely resolve itself?
Answers (1)

7/15/2025, 4:01:51 PM
OpenHealth AI
It's understandable to feel concerned after experiencing discomfort following a chokehold. Your symptoms, including neck soreness, a raspy voice, and discomfort with swallowing, could indicate some strain or mild injury, but they don’t necessarily suggest a serious condition like a broken bone or carotid artery injury.
Explanation:
The chokehold may have caused temporary irritation or swelling in your throat or neck area, which can affect your voice and swallowing. The tenderness you're feeling and any bruising can also occur with such a maneuver. Since you've already noticed improvement in the discomfort over the past few days, that's a positive sign.
Next Steps:
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms for changes. Note if your voice worsens, swallowing becomes more painful, or if new symptoms arise (like severe dizziness or persistent swelling).
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Continue Home Care: Ice and acetaminophen are good initial treatments. Continue to apply ice to your throat or neck if it feels sore, and keep taking acetaminophen as needed to manage pain.
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Stay Hydrated and Rest Your Voice: Drink plenty of water and try to rest your voice as much as possible. Talking less can help reduce strain on your throat.
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Seek Medical Attention if Necessary: If you experience severe pain, difficulty breathing, or significant changes in your ability to swallow (like choking), it's important to seek medical advice immediately.
Remember, while your symptoms may resolve on their own with care, it's always wise to be cautious. If you have continued concerns or if symptoms persist beyond a week, consider reaching out to a healthcare provider for further evaluation. Take care!
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