Whiplash Injury

[Mickey]

I am due to see a client who had a RTA last year followed by whiplash injury. She has been seeing a Chiropractor regular who has been giving her cranio sacral therapy which has helped in the past but is taking its time. That is why she phoned my for an aromatherapy session - she says she is quite stressed out about it as she has started a business recently.

I am seeking advice from fellow therapists on how to treat this client. I am trained in holistic massage, aromatherapy, sports massage (though not sports injury).

My instincts are to treat using aromatherapy, leave the neck injury for the chiropractor to deal with, and to try to relax her as much as possible. To this effect I advised her when she called that I would not deal with the whiplash injury but focus on relaxation.

Any advice from fellow therapists would be appreciated.

Luv Binah

 

[Nadica]

Hi Binah

From what you have said I would also go along the Relaxation plan for the treatment, withholistic considerations. So for example,you couldalso addsome essential oilsto tackle emotional flexibility. As the neck condition may be highlighting inflexibility in thought patterns.

Good luck

 

[Tru Champion 37]

Hi Binah

Is your client complaining of any jaw problems at all? The Temporal Mandibular Joint often develops problems after a whiplash injury.

Your relaxation plan sounds perfect. As you do Sports massage you might give them some gentle stretches and strength exercises for the neck muscles to do at home... assuming your client is not in the acute stage of injury healing... >in which case very gentle massage only.

I would also recommend referring themforNST treatment (Advanced Bowen Technique [link=http://www.nsthealth.com]www.nsthealth.com[/link] to find a therapist) to straighten out their skeleton, if they are not getting a great response from a chiropractor. I have good experience of NST turning around injuries permanently where the chiropractor has been correctingit only temporarily.

If you're not sure, though, stick to what you're happy with, as you suggest, gently massaging the area, which will aid the body's recovery,and lots of relaxation!

Good luck.

 

[kukiwif]

maybe I am being simplistic but I have always thought that chiropractors dealt with bones and osteopaths dealt with bones and muscles and usually (not always) whiplash injuries are muscular (had a couple so have painful experience) therefore is she actually getting the right treatment in the first place?

you could give her a gentle massage in the affected area in the first massage to see how she gets on - I wouldnt avoid her neck and shoulders - I had a massage after a couple of osteopathy treatments and felt a lot better after..

my opinion and experience for what it is worth - hope it helps

HG

 

[Annie T]

Have to say I afree with HEMELGIRL very sound advice indeed !!!

Julie
Allure Massage

 

[tip tap toe]

Well, yes, whiplash is damaged sof tissue,but the two are intrinsically linked, of course: The soft tissues hold the bones in place. When we've had an injury like whiplash, our body will compensate by working to firstly protect - in this case the spine - and then because of the damaged soft tissue over exerting protecting the spine,other areas of soft tissue will be over compensating... vicious cirle. The body of course can heal itself, but sometimes, we 'favour' an injury and do damage to the compensating soft tissue and our body forgets its correct position... and now I'm talking bones and soft tissues.

So it really depends whether this client's whiplash discomfort is justsoft tissue, or if the injury and resulting healing process has,as is very common,resulted in an unbalanced skeletal positioning too.

NST works by releasing the soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) as well as nerves, so that the bones can go back to their correct place. Massage does the same thing to a lesser extent inasmuch as it loosens the soft tissues which are holding the bones in the wrong place. I don't know enough about how chiropractors work on the bones to comment, but agree that since soft tissue holds the bones in place, manipulating the soft tissue will help to relieve the symptoms.

Now I think I've talked myself in a circle!

 

[Natalie Harris]

Thank you all for your helpful replies.

I dont know whether the jaw has been affected but will keep you posted.

Luv Binah

 

[chhcztsb]

Binah, I would also suggest that you work gently with the entire spinal column and the shoulder and pelvic girdles. Whiplash injury, as the name describes,affects the entire spine as theimpact energy ripples up and down the spine and tends to dissipate into the girdles and the neck and head. As AvalonDove says sometimesit affects the jaw - so look wider than just the neck.

Also useful Holistic Post Treatment Advice for RTA's is that there can often be emotional shock that can in some people make them nervous driving - even ifwhiplash typeRTA is often not their fault. If they drive a lot then this can cause ongoing tension / postural problems (often in areas that were originally injured). Here overall relaxation from massage helps

Ask the questions on the emotional impact butdon't try and address this directly (its out of scope for a MT): suggest they look at the excellent courses from the Institute of Advanced Motorists and ROSPA. They might help them regain confidence and relax more driving.Might sound daft butthis can have a big impact and help speed up the recovery - or may be the reason that other therapies seem to be taking a long time? Also shows you are taking a holistic view and not just focusing on the original injury

Hope that helps

InTouch

 

[Becca S]

Hi

Well I've seen the client - and from what she said the neck is fine now, and the only back pain she has is now in the lumbar region. This is exacerbated as she has switched careers and is now a gardener. She had two cars going into the back of her when she was stationary at a roundabout. On asking a few questions about her life generally it transpired that she is now getting a divorce from her husband, a big life changing experience. I look at the accident as being a metaphor for her life - waiting at a roundabout - possibly not of sure of direction to go in life - and being nudged to move on. Since then she lost her job - has gone in a completely new direction (gardening) and is getting a divorce.

Thanks for all your advice.

Luv Binah