Condition · Head & Neck
Whiplash
How Myofascial Release addresses it, and what to expect.
Whiplash is a type of neck injury that commonly occurs when the head is suddenly and forcefully jerked backward and then forward. This rapid back-and-forth motion can strain or damage the soft tissues in the neck, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Whiplash is often associated with motor vehicle accidents, particularly rear-end collisions, but it can also result from sports injuries, falls, or other sudden impacts. Common symptoms of whiplash include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and difficulty moving the neck. In some cases, individuals may experience additional symptoms such as dizziness, fatigue, or tingling in the arms.
Why fascia is involved
The tissue braces for impact and forgets to let go.
In a whiplash injury the soft tissues of the neck are stretched and loaded faster than they can adapt. The fascia around the muscles, ligaments and nerves of the neck tightens to protect the area, and that protective bracing can outlast the injury by months or years. Because the neck fascia connects up into the head and down into the shoulders and chest, the after-effects can include headaches, tingling in the arms and a neck that never quite feels free.
Myofascial Release is gentle enough for tissue that is still guarded. Rather than forcing range of motion, the therapist applies slow, sustained pressure that invites the fascia to soften, working the neck along with the jaw, chest, shoulders and upper back that braced with it. Movement returns gradually, and the sense of holding on can ease.
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Every therapist in the Directory is trained in the John F. Barnes Myofascial Release Approach®.