If you’ve experienced a whiplash injury, you’re probably dealing with pain, stiffness, and trouble moving your neck, shoulder, or arm. The good news is that an experienced massage therapist can help you recover.
- Increases Blood Flow
- Breaks Up Scar Tissue
- Reduces Pain & Stiffness
- Restores Rand Of Motion
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is damage to the ligaments and muscles of the neck that most commonly occurs after a car accident. This type of injury can cause a great deal of pain and tension, decrease range of motion, and affect your day-to-day life. Whiplash can also affect the spine and surrounding muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
The Importance Of Early Whiplash Treatment
Even if you do not experience pain immediately after your accident, it’s important to get checked out by a health care professional. Symptoms of whiplash are often not felt until the next day or even weeks later.
The sooner you seek treatment, the better. Early treatment can shorten healing time, alleviate symptoms, and help prevent the onset of chronic pain.
Massage For An Older Car Accident Injury
Without treatment, pain, headaches, muscle knots, kinks, and stiffness can last years or even a lifetime. The good news is, even if your whiplash injury is old, and you’ve been living with chronic pain, an experienced massage therapist with the correct techniques can still effectively treat your injury.
Effective Treatments For Whiplash
Massage therapy is one of the best treatments for whiplash. There are several different massage treatments that can help soften knots and scar tissue that form where the body experiences damage.
- Trigger Point Therapy
- Cross Fiber Friction
- Myofascial Release
- Swedish & Deep Tissue Massage
Trigger Point Therapy For Whiplash
Trigger point therapy is when the therapist applies direct pressure to a knot (or trigger point). The pressure applied to your neck and shoulder helps to soften and release any knots and improves your range of motion.
Cross Fiber Friction After A Car Accident
During cross-fiber friction, the therapist will work across the fibers of the neck and shoulder muscles to help realign the fibers and break up whiplash adhesions. Cross-fiber friction encourages the tissue that forms during healing to be softer and more pliable.
Myofascial Release For Pain & Stiffness
Are your neck and shoulder painful and stiff? Myofascial release uses a slow, gentle, sustained pressure to help soften tight fascia (the casing of muscle tissue) and muscle fibers. This type of whiplash massage helps restore range of motion and alleviate pain.
Swedish & Deep Tissue Massage
Swedish and deep tissue massage can help with improved range of motion, increased circulation, and lymphatic flow after a whiplash injury. It’s also an excellent way to relax and unwind.
Massage For Healing Emotional Trauma
Not to be overlooked are the effects of massage on the nervous system. Besides the physical pain, trauma, stress, and even depression are not uncommon after an accident. Massage can help calm the nervous system and release natural feel-good hormones.
How Often Will You Need A Massage Treatment?
Most people find a once a week treatment for 8-12 sessions can provide a full recovery. Maintenance 1-2 times a month is generally recommended to keep symptoms from returning.
Other whiplash treatments to incorporate into your healing process may be physical therapy, chiropractic work, acupuncture, and yoga.
Whiplash Treatment In Seattle, WA
You do not have to live with chronic pain after you’ve experienced a whiplash injury. Massage therapy can provide healing for both an accident’s physical and emotional effects. If you’ve experienced a whiplash injury, contact MindBody Med in Seattle, WA today to schedule a massage.
