I decided to add this section on whiplash because most of us will be in at least one car accident in our lifetime, some time or another. Whiplash, even if it’s just a minor incident, is one of those injuries that can come back to haunt you one day if left untreated. It can become the start of a TMJ problem, headache, neck or back pain, or even hand pain. It can really make life miserable. You can be involved in a small fender-bender or “slip and fall” where your neck muscles are injured and not have any pain at all in your neck – but your headaches or jaw problems a month or so later can be from that accident. The message here is to address the injury, as small as it may be, as soon as possible. Treating the trigger points of the neck and cranium muscles within 24 hours after any such injury is most important.
Eighty percent of the time your body retains a “muscle memory” of any injury you ever had. Taking the proper steps to resolve, or “erase” those memories is important. Additionally, as in the case of whiplash, many people have the back of the neck looked at and treated, by someone such as a massage or physical therapist. But most often it is the muscles in the front of the neck that need attention. The weakness from the injury to those muscles causes the muscles of the back of the neck to overwork and spasm, trying to hold your head upright. However, most therapists are too timid to get deep into those muscles because of your throat, glands, and major arteries. So it’s a good idea to look for a therapist skilled in these procedures, especially the connective tissue of the neck region.
I had whiplash December of 2015, unfortunately for me doctors didn’t think so. I had c5 c6 pinched nerve all kinds of muscle spasms, neck and jaw. I did physical therapy for months have been improving but very slowly. After numerous doctors ended up finding a man who specializes in tmj deep tissue massage… very interestingly it has been the muscles of the front of the neck that have been the culprit. ive been going to him for months and recently suggested to him we should be working the front muscles of neck and connecting jaw muscles. we found what I think is the digastric muscle that was in deep spasm and another one he has been working I cant remember which one. When he worked these muscles my jaw would violently open and shut slamming my teeth together. we have done 5 treatments to this area and am seeing improvement. I don’t understand how so many doctors refused to believe I suffer whiplash. my chiro believed it was caused by posture, I have and have always had great posture, any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. also I have had constant ear pain ringing and crackling in left ear along with light sensitivity….