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Everything from being in a car accident to falling off your bike can cause you to suffer serious neck injuries. Whether you have been badly injured in a crash, or simply gotten up and dusted yourself off after a fall, you could be experiencing whiplash. This is an ailment that should be treated right away, otherwise you could suffer from chronic pain for the rest of your life. There are many treatments done to relieve whiplash and massage therapy is one of the most important ones.

Massage Therapy To Relieve Whiplash

What is whiplash?

Whiplash occurs when your neck makes a whip-like motion by first bending towards the point of impact then snapping back away from it. Because your head will be moving so rapidly in one direction, your muscles contract and the momentum causes strain or sprain to the neck ligaments and muscles before your head reaches the end of the movement.

Whiplash starts in the neck but can compress nerves and affect muscles in the back and arms as well. As with any hyperextension injury, muscle strains and tears are part of whiplash. Massage therapy can help alleviate the pain associated with whiplash in the neck, back and between the shoulder blades. Furthermore, whiplash can also cause headaches, stiffness, and pain or numbness in the extremities, especially the arms. Many people do not even feel its effects until days after their accident, because it takes scar tissues time to form in the muscles and ligaments.

Why massage therapy can help.

Massage therapy is designed to relieve tension and relax a patient. It helps people recover from injuries, gets rid of pain, and increases the amount of oxygen the body gives to the tissues, thus speeding up the recovery process. Additionally, by stimulating circulation and increasing the flow of oxygen, massage therapy can rid you of the headaches associated with whiplash.

How does it work?

First you will need your physician to clear you to undergo therapeutic massage treatment. This is generally allowed a few days following your accident. When you start with massage therapy to relieve whiplash, your therapist will begin with a very delicate massage. This is done to ensure that there is no chance of fracture, concussion or disc problems. Then, over the coming sessions, your therapist will use myofascial approaches, friction-based massage and trigger point therapy to restore fluidity to the body’s moving parts, break up scar tissue, get rid of muscle knots, stimulate the flow of oxygen, and release tension.

Whiplash is dangerous if left untreated. Massage therapy is beneficial not only to your body but your mind too. The traumatic events associated with your accident can be treated through therapeutic massage as your body and mind relax in tandem.

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