Massage Therapy for Whiplash
Whiplash is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck from a sudden jerking or "whipping" of the head. This type of motion strains the muscles and ligaments of the neck beyond their normal range of motion. Being in a sports injury or car accident commonly causes whiplash. Symptoms of whiplash may include neck stiffness, headaches, dizziness, hoarseness/difficulty swallowing, shoulder, back, and arm pain.
Because conventional treatments can often be invasive when it comes to whiplash injuries, people tend to avoid treatment. This can potentially be dangerous as leaving any injury unattended can lead to further harm or loss of mobility all together.
Massage therapy can be exceedingly beneficial for whiplash symptoms. In fact, research has shown that massage therapy to keep the neck mobile is more useful than using cervical collars.
Studies have shown that the quicker the patient receives massage therapy, the quicker he or she will heal with less chance of developing chronic pain. Any form of massage that helps relax the affected muscles will help relieve the pain and symptoms of whiplash. However, there are three specialized forms of massage that are particularly therapeutic which include:
Myofascial Release - a form of massage that can free restricted neck muscles and fascia to help restore fluidity to the stiff region caused by whiplash. This increases the flow of oxygen and relaxes the contracted muscle. Because myofascial trigger points generally occur in the cervical muscles after a whiplash injury, this treatment prevents prolonged muscular dysfunction that can linger for months or years after the initial trauma.
Deep Tissue Massage - Once the superficial muscles are relaxed, deep tissue work can free contracted deep fascia, adhesions and scar tissue. Making sure to stay within the client’s pain tolerance level, deep tissue massage can release tissue that had tightened around local nerves.
Deep tissue massage targets the deeper layers of muscle and connective tissue. The massage therapist uses slower strokes or friction techniques across the grain of the muscle. Deep tissue massage is commonly used for recovery from an injury.
Swedish Massage - Massage therapists use long smooth strokes towards the heart by kneading, and circular movements on the superficial layers of muscle.
Sports Massage - Sports massage is specifically designed for people who are involved in physical activity. The Timberwolves Kevin Love is currently suffering a whiplash injury from a recent game. The focus isn't on relaxation but on preventing and treating injuries.
A combination of techniques is used. The strokes are generally faster than Swedish massage. Facilitated stretching helps to loosen muscles and increase flexibility by removing lactic acid and other toxins that have built up.
Cranial Sacral-This massage targets specific spots on the neck and down through the spine. This is great for headache relief caused from tension in the muscles. The craniosacral system (cranio means head and sacral refers to the area at the base of the spine) includes the brain and spinal cord. They are bathed in a craniosacral fluid that has a rhythmic pulse, similar to blood pressure. One of the most common and debilitating side effects of whiplash are headaches and craniosacral massage provides long lasting relief.
Neuromuscular Trigger Point Therapy - A trigger point is a hyperirritable spot that is painful. It is called a trigger point because it "triggers" a painful response.
But a trigger point is more than a tender nodule. It affects not only the muscle where the trigger point is located, but also causes "referred pain" in tissues supplied by nerves.
Trigger points are located in a taut band of muscles fibers. The therapist will locate and deactivate them using finger pressure.
These points are often areas of chronic "holding" and you need to learn how to move in different ways to keep them from recurring. An accident can be the tipping point that will change a chronic mild discomfort into something unbearable.
If you've never tried massage therapy for your whiplash symptoms, now is the time. Massage therapy has many benefits that can help you get your overall health and well-being back. If you have any questions about massage therapy, call Nokomis Chiropractic today 612-822-0149. We are located in South Minneapolis.