Skilled female massage therapist works with neck of male patient lying on comfortable glowing couch in contemporary clinic office upper view
Table of Contents
Motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) can be devastating events that lead to a wide range of injuries—spinal trauma, musculoskeletal damage, and nerve dysfunction, which are among the most common. Beyond the immediate physical harm, survivors often endure chronic pain, reduced mobility, and even emotional distress such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress. While traditional medical care—including diagnostic imaging, pharmacotherapy, and physical rehabilitation—is fundamental to recovery, massage therapy has emerged as a powerful adjunctive treatment. This article examines the various ways MVAs can injure the body, reviews different massage modalities, and demonstrates how these hands-on techniques can alleviate both the physical and emotional consequences of automobile collisions. We also highlight the unique dual-scope expertise of Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC—an El Paso-based chiropractor and nurse practitioner who integrates advanced diagnostics, chiropractic adjustments, and legal documentation to optimize patient outcomes.
Motor vehicle collisions exert tremendous forces on the body. Even low-speed impacts can cause sudden hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck (whiplash), or blunt trauma to the torso and spine. High-speed crashes often result in:
The MVA MVP site emphasizes that “motor accidents typically cause a range of musculoskeletal injuries—from mild soft tissue strains to severe spinal fractures—and often involve nerve involvement resulting in chronic pain if untreated” (MVAMVP, n.d.).
Reference
MVA MVP. (n.d.). Massage therapy for post-vehicular accidents. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from mvamvp.com/massage-therapy-for-post-vehicular-accidents/
Accurate diagnosis is essential to tailor effective treatment plans. Common assessments include:
Dr. Jimenez integrates these diagnostics: he orders advanced imaging when indicated and personally correlates findings—such as MRI-confirmed disc herniations—with patient presentations and chiropractic exams, ensuring an accurate dual diagnosis of structural and functional impairments.
Reference
Dehner, C., et al. (2010). Comparing chiropractic and medical management of neck pain: a randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(3), 164–170. doi.org/10.1016/j.jmpt.2009.12.014
Massage therapy is not monolithic. Different techniques address specific tissues and therapeutic goals:
Modality | Description |
---|---|
Swedish Massage | Long, gliding strokes that promote relaxation and circulation. |
Deep Tissue Massage | Slow, intense strokes targeting deeper muscle layers to release chronic tension. |
Myofascial Release | Sustained pressure on myofascial connective tissue to reduce restrictions. |
Trigger Point Therapy | Focused pressure on hyper-irritable “knots” within muscles to alleviate referred pain. |
Lymphatic Drainage | Gentle strokes to stimulate lymph flow, reducing swelling and detoxification. |
Sports Massage | Combination of techniques to prepare or recover muscles for athletic activities. |
East Bridge Massage Portland describes “five types of massage you need after a car accident,” including Swedish for relaxation, Deep Tissue for chronic muscle spasms, and Trigger Point Therapy for referred pain patterns (East Bridge, 2021).
Reference
East Bridge Massage Portland. (2021, May). 5 types of massage you need after a car accident. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from eastbridgemassageportland.com/2021/5-types-of-massage-you-need-after-a-car-accident/
Deep Tissue and Myofascial Release can break up adhesions and scar tissue around spinal joints and paraspinal muscles, improving flexibility. As MVAMVP notes, “restoring range of motion and mobility of the body is a primary benefit of massage therapy after a car accident” (MVAMVP, n.d.).
Gentle Lymphatic Drainage and Swedish Massage enhance circulation, accelerating the removal of inflammatory mediators. CureZone Physiotherapy explains that “these therapists have specialized training in reducing edema and muscle spasm in motor vehicle accident rehabilitation” (CureZone, n.d.).
Trigger Point Therapy can relieve pressure on compressed nerves. Biotone’s blog indicates that “recent evidence suggests that autonomic changes around trigger points can decompress nerves and reduce neuropathic pain” (Biotone, n.d.).
References
Biotone. (n.d.). The benefits of massage after a car accident. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from biotone.com/blogs/intouch/the-benefits-of-massage-after-a-car-accident
CureZone Physiotherapy. (n.d.). Role of massage therapy in motor vehicle accident rehabilitation. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from curezonephysiotherapy.com/role-of-massage-therapy-in-motor-vehicle-accident-rehabilitation
MVAs can trigger anxiety, hypervigilance, and PTSD. Massage therapy’s calming effects help patients “process their feelings” and reduce sympathetic overdrive:
Primary Rehab reports that “massage therapists help survivors of traumatic events open up and process their feelings, which is critical for long-term emotional recovery” (Primary Rehab, n.d.).
Reference
Primary Rehab. (n.d.). Healing your mind and body after a traumatic event: Massage therapy. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from primaryrehab.com/healing-your-mind-and-body-after-a-traumatic-event-massage-therapy-delta/
Several systematic reviews and clinical trials support massage therapy’s role in managing MVA-related pain:
References
Bronfort, G., et al. (2013). Evidence-based management of neck pain: a systematic review. Spine Journal, 13(3), 221–247. doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2012.11.006
Calvo-Lobo, C., et al. (2012). Effectiveness of trigger point manual therapy. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 16(4), 506–512. doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2012.07.005
Furlan, A. D., et al. (2015). Massage for neck pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (9). doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD004871.pub4
Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, brings a unique dual-scope perspective to MVA care in El Paso. His approach includes:
Dr. Jimenez’s clinical observations—published at dralexjimenez.com and highlighted on his LinkedIn—demonstrate improved functional outcomes and patient satisfaction when massage therapy is integrated with chiropractic and nursing care.
References
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Clinical observations: Integrative auto injury care. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from dralexjimenez.com/
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). El Paso Back Clinic services. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from elpasobackclinic.com/
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. Retrieved July 17, 2025, from www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/
For individuals recovering from an MVA:
Massage therapy offers a multifaceted approach to MVA recovery that addresses both the physical and emotional sequelae of motor vehicle collisions. By combining evidence-based techniques—Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial Release, and Trigger Point Therapy—with advanced diagnostics and chiropractic care, providers like Dr. Alexander Jimenez deliver comprehensive, dual-scope treatment plans. Patients benefit from reduced pain, restored mobility, and enhanced emotional well-being, thereby setting the stage for a full functional recovery and an improved quality of life.
References
Biotone. (n.d.). The benefits of massage after a car accident. biotone.com/blogs/intouch/the-benefits-of-massage-after-a-car-accident
Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R., Leininger, B., & Triano, J. (2013). Evidence-based guidelines for the chiropractic treatment of adults with neck pain. Spine Journal, 13(3), 221–247. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24043951/
Calvo-Lobo, C., Pacheco-da-Costa, S., Hita-Herranz, E., Martínez-Martínez, J., Fernández-Carnero, J., & De-la-Casa-Almeida, M. (2012). Effectiveness of myofascial release and stretching techniques on hamstring flexibility in healthy adults: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 16(4), 506–512. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22301554/
CureZone Physiotherapy. (n.d.). Role of massage therapy in motor vehicle accident rehabilitation. curezonephysiotherapy.com/role-of-massage-therapy-in-motor-vehicle-accident-rehabilitation
Dehner, C., Finestone, A., & Glick, M. (2010). Comparing chiropractic and medical management of neck pain: A randomized clinical trial. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, 33(3), 164–170. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2975532/
East Bridge Massage Portland. (2021, May). 5 types of massage you need after a car accident. eastbridgemassageportland.com/2021/5-types-of-massage-you-need-after-a-car-accident/
Furlan, A. D., Imamura, M., Dryden, T., & Irvin, E. (2015). Massage for low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 9. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26707074/
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Clinical observations: Integrative auto injury care. dralexjimenez.com/
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). El Paso Back Clinic services. elpasobackclinic.com/
Jimenez, A. (n.d.). LinkedIn profile. www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/
MVA MVP. (n.d.). Massage therapy for post-vehicular accidents. mvamvp.com/massage-therapy-for-post-vehicular-accidents/
MVA MVP. (n.d.). Discover the benefits of massage therapy after a car accident. mvamvp.com/discover-the-benefits-of-massage-therapy-after-a-car-accident/
Primary Rehab. (n.d.). Healing your mind and body after a traumatic event: Massage therapy. primaryrehab.com/healing-your-mind-and-body-after-a-traumatic-event-massage-therapy-delta/
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Accident Injury Clinical Massage: Healing After Trauma" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Welcome to El Paso's Wellness blog, where Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, FNP-C, a board-certified Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP-C) and Chiropractor (DC), presents insights on how our team is dedicated to holistic healing and personalized care. Our practice aligns with evidence-based treatment protocols inspired by integrative medicine principles, similar to those found on dralexjimenez.com, focusing on restoring health naturally for patients of all ages.
Our areas of chiropractic practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols.
Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicine, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somato-visceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, APRN, FNP-BC*, CCST, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
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Graduate with Honors: ICHS: MSN-FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)
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Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC*, CFMP, IFMCP, ATN, CCST
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