Question
I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN NOV. 06.  I HAVE BEEN GOING TO P/T 3X A WEEK SINCE, MRI SHOWED 3 BLUGING DISKS C3,C4,C5 AND POSSIBLE PINCHED NERVE.  I DO ACUPUNCTURE, BIO-FEEDBACK, MUSCLE REALAXER 10MG. BEFORE BED.  STARTING CHIROPRACTOR TODAY.  THE PAIN HAS GONE FROM AN ORIGINAL 8 TO 4.  HOW LONG COULD THIS PAIN LAST?  WILL THIS CLEAR ON ITS OWN OVER TIME?  I AM GETTING FRUSTRATED AS THIS IS VERY INCONVIENENT TIME OUT OF MY DAILY LIFE.  I HAVE NEVER HAD ANY NECK PROBLEMS BEFORE THIS.  ALSO, THE PAIN IS ON THE LEFT SIDE THAT PERMIATES DOWN ACROSS THE SHOULDER. I JUST WANT TO GET BACK TO NORMAL.  IS THEIR A TIME LINE OF WHAT I CAN EXPECT?   THANK YOU SO MUCH.  SUSAN

Answer
Susan,

One can't predict a time-line independently of your learning to relax your neck.  "Learning" is the operative word because your neck is currently being held tight reflexively; you have to take back control of those muscles through learning to feel and control the movements they do.

Neck tension causes the bulging discs and the pain.

Please see the article on whiplash injuries at somatics.com/page4.htm for more details and options.

with regard,
Lawrence Gold