Whiplash can be a painful injury that many people don't realize they have. We often associate whiplash with minor to serious car accidents, but in reality any impact that causes the neck to snap back and then forward can cause strain and tears in the muscles and tendons. These impacts could be something as minimal as getting hit by a pillow or stumbling down a couple of stairs.
Whatever the cause of these injuries, massage can be an effective treatment to aid in your recovery. Injuries of this type often result in a phenomenon known as splinting. Splinting occurs when the muscle fibers surrounding the injured tissue seize up in an effort to protect said tissue. This can result in muscle spasms and pain even after the compromised muscle has healed. Massage can help to reset and relax the splinting muscles bringing relief of chronic pain. Another long lasting effect of injuries of this nature is a reduction in range of motion due to scar tissue. Scar tissue is a type of tissue that can form over cuts and in any torn tissue. Its fibers tend to have a very haphazard pattern much like fiberglass. This makes it stiff and inflexible. Massage helps to realign these fibers into a more uniform pattern that softens the tissue and allows better range of motion.
If you have suffered from any type of whiplash injury and are looking to recover your mobility and relieve chronic pain, consider massage as a viable treatment on your wellness journey.
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