Benefits of Massage Therapy for Whiplash

Whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in automobile accidents, some sports and "headbanging" at a rock concert. Whiplash occurs when the neck is jarred dramatically forward and backward, or vice versa, on impact. In moderate cases of whiplash, there is damage to soft tissues in the neck. In severe whiplash, spinal discs and nerve roots down through the middle of the back may also be damaged. Common symptoms of whiplash include neck and back pain, headaches, shoulder pain and feelings of pins-and-needles in the arms and legs. Symptoms may not be felt immediately. Whiplash symptoms often don't appear until days after impact.

Massage Increases Oxygen/Circulation

When massage therapy is performed on the body, it increases blood circulation. When blood travels to areas that are injured, it brings an increased flow of oxygen. This combination of increased blood and oxygen helps soft tissues throughout the neck heal themselves when they have been affected by whiplash.

Massage Reduces Tension

Massage is a therapeutic treatment that helps reduce emotional stress. Tension can worsen the symptoms of any injury. Massage can help a whiplash sufferer heal faster than he would if he didn't receive any treatments that focused on relaxing the soft tissues.

Massage Eliminates Trigger Points

Massage helps to eliminate trigger points, which are aggravated, contracted portions of muscle that often develop in a whiplash injury. When trigger point massage therapy is applied to these knots, usually found at the base of the neck and skull as well as the top of the head and above the eye in whiplash injuries, neck pain and headaches may be reduced.

Masssage Increases Range of Motion

Certain massage therapy techniques incorporate something called "myofascial release." "Myofascial" refers to the muscle and tissues surrounding moving body parts, and "release" means that the therapist will manipulate the muscle and tissue to give it greater range of motion. In addition to myofascial work, the therapist can perform friction techniques that help break up scar tissue. This also contributes to greater range of motion for the client.

Warnings

Check with your primary care physician before having a massage therapist work on a whiplash injury.
Do not seek massage therapy treatment less than 72 hours after the whiplash incident. The injury doesn't completely manifest itself until then.

Tip

Massage in conjunction with other treatments (for example, physical therapy and chiropractic work), pain reliever medications and heat will likely render the best results for someone with whiplash.