do I need a massage therapist or a chiropractor?

[Denisemomof4]

I'm not a fan of chiropractors and I have experience with one. NOT a good experience. I do have several friends, however, who swear by theirs.

 

I got whiplash about........ I don't know....... 6 weeks ago (?) when I hit my head very hard. I was given muscle relaxers for the neck, vicoden (sp?) for the head pain. I was taking the relaxers and they did help, but the issue with my neck is such that I need extra help now. I can feel it being tense inside and it's causing at least one migraine per week lately. Some days I can't move my head at all because of the discomfort. Other days it just feels tense. My migraines ALL start in my neck and last week's migraine was pretty severe.

 

A good friend of mine, a nurse, thinks a massage therapist would be the best option. Another friend thinks a chiropractor. I have NO idea. Can you guys help me decide?

[momofkhm]

I've never seen a massage therapist for this kind of thing, but I would go see a chiropractor. But I've had good experiences with them.

 

Ask your friends who rave about theirs for a recommendation.

[Denisemomof4]

 

Ask your friends who rave about theirs for a recommendation.

 

I'm going to one of two chiropractors, if that is which I decide to try. Both come highly recommended.

[joannqn]

I have neck issues that lead to headaches that can be worse than the migraines I get. I go to a chiropractor and almost always feel better after one adjustment. Very rarely, I need to go back for a second.

 

The first chiropractor I saw made things worse. I started seeing a different chiropractor who used a different technique and was very happy. If it helps (and it may help), I use a chiropractor who uses the "Pettibon Method". Pettibon is a local chiropractor who came up with a technique of adjustment that is widely taught. I saw his son, and after I moved I specifically looked for a chiropractor that used that method.

 

The problem I have is that I can't afford regular, frequent, ongoing treatments to correct the bigger issue so I have reoccurring problems that pop up every couple of months.

[Denisemomof4]

any other opinions from people who have done one or the other?:bigear:

[Starr]

The answer to your post is often - yes. :) I would see a gentle chiropractor to get things lined up and some massage for the tight muscles can be helpful as well.

[Momof3littles]

I would see a physical therapist, which is very different from seeing a massage therapist.

[Harriet Vane]

Here's my post-whiplash experience:

 

--Massage with physical therapy, all on the light side. They were always telling me to take it easy and not do stuff. I felt like I was made of glass and always in pain.

 

--Aggressive, sports-oriented physical therapist who started with an intense massage for me, followed by lots of exercise. Waaaaaaaay better results. I was strong and pain free shortly and stayed pain free for years afterward.

 

Then I had another neck injury (not whiplash but similar) and my wonderful pt had moved far, far away. Here's that experience:

 

--Pretty good physical therapist (lots of exercise) with light massage. I got much better but still had pain.

 

--Added in a chiropractor, continuing with pt. I got massage both with the pt (light) and more intensive with the chiro. Results were amazing. Within a month I was much better, pain free, and had better neck mobility than I had had in years.

 

Last year I fell and injured my neck again. I tried a combination of chiro and intensive massage, but NO pt. That has been a mistake. My muscles are too weak to hold the adjustments in place effectively, and I am still in pain. I am planning to get back into pt after we move and I have more time.

 

Bottom line: For whiplash I highly recommend physical therapy with a pt who is sports and exercise oriented (NOT someone who works primarily with the elderly or with hospitals). I would do pt with chiropractic care and massage. All three are key because they address different facets of the injury.

Edited August 15, 2011 by strider

[Denisemomof4]

Here's my post-whiplash experience:

 

--Massage with physical therapy, all on the light side. They were always telling me to take it easy and not do stuff. I felt like I was made of glass and always in pain.

 

--Aggressive, sports-oriented physical therapist who started with an intense massage for me, followed by lots of exercise. Waaaaaaaay better results. I was strong and pain free shortly and stayed pain free for years afterward.

 

Then I had another neck injury (not whiplash but similar) and my wonderful pt had moved far, far away. Here's that experience:

 

--Pretty good physical therapist (lots of exercise) with light massage. I got much better but still had pain.

 

--Added in a chiropractor, continuing with pt. I got massage both with the pt (light) and more intensive with the chiro. Results were amazing. Within a month I was much better, pain free, and had better neck mobility than I had had in years.

 

Last year I fell and injured my neck again. I tried a combination of chiro and intensive massage, but NO pt. That has been a mistake. My muscles are too weak to hold the adjustments in place effectively, and I am still in pain. I am planning to get back into pt after we move and I have more time.

 

Bottom line: For whiplash I highly recommend physical therapy with a pt who is sports and exercise oriented (NOT someone who works primarily with the elderly or with hospitals). I would do pt with chiropractic care and massage. All three are key because they address different facets of the injury.

 

wow. This is very helpful! I knew I'd get my answers here!

 

I will start with a PT. I don't know how I can squeeze two or three appts. in for me now that school will be starting!

 

Thanks everyone!!!

[Rosie_0801]

Do you have an osteopath in your area? You need to build muscles to keep your spine in the right place, but you need your spine put into the right place or muscle building will be strengthening your spine into the wrong place.

 

So I agree with Strider, it's a multi-faceted problem and it'll take time to correct. While there are good chiropractors and not so good, it is quite normal when you begin treatment to feel better for a week or two, then much worse than usual for a few weeks, before you start feeling better again. The feeling bad is your body having a mighty whinge about having to change bad habits.

 

Rosie

[Pamela H in Texas]

I would go to a good osteopath for OMT. You'll probably feel better almost immediately. I've had experience with two and they were completely different. One was miraculous within minutes (I should find that thread). I needed 5 weeks to be doing better than all of my adult life. The other I felt run over by a Mack Truck for a week and then was really good. I probably should have gone back, but I'm doing so well...

 

The OMT did for me what lots of doctors, specialists, PTs, chiros, etc couldn't do for me over years.

[Negin]

Denise, can you do both or is that not an option?

Can you ask your friends for a chiropractor recommendation?

I'm a fan of both. I tend to lean much more towards massage therapy. But a good chiropractor sounds like what you may need given your situation. Finding a good chiropractor is not always easy, however. Hence why I think you should ask your friends and do some research on a good one.

I would do both if I could.

If not, possibly chiro first for a few sessions.

Then, massage therapy for maintenance afterwards.