Question
I have been in a car accident 6 years ago where I suffered from a whiplash. Two discs in my neck popped out. I received chiropractic care for about 8 months and one steroid spinal injection that helped with pain for about 6 weeks. Ever since the accident I am suffering from tingling in my arms, neck pain, lower back pain and migraines. Last October (four month ago) I started going to a chiropractor for my neck pain and that's when the migraines got really bad, 3-4 times a week. I saw a neurologist who gave me more pills for migraines and advised me to continue to get treatment from a chiropractor, however I was reluctant to go back to my chiropractor, because almost after every the treatment it was followed by a migraine attack. I saw a different chiropractor, a Board certified Chiropractic Neurologist, who took an X-ray of my neck and took a very detailed questionnaire of my health issues and diagnosed me with Cervical and TMJ Subluxation Complex, Reversed cervical curve (-# 4 degrees. I also have 2 disc narrowing #squished discs- phase two# and some bone spurs.He did a gentle adjustment on the third visit and it was followed by three days of migraines...
I am taking a migraine preventative medication #topamax 50mg) which I would like to ditch eventually. I am on a cleansing diet for the last 12 days now and no migraine so far, however I continue to have the neck pain and headaches. What kind of exercises can I do to strengthen my neck? Tai Chi? Yoga? What about inversion table, would that help? Obviously I cannot do any adjustments until I heal my body and I am hoping that this healthy, cleansing diet will help, it may take a long time but I need to move on, get better, I am getting so depressed being in so much pain... Thank you so much for your time.

Answer
Monika,
  I'm sorry you have been through so much.  It seems to me from your descriptions that any manipulation to the neck and spine cause your muscles to go into a protective state.  Have you ever tried ice at the base of your skull for 5 minutes?  Does that change your pain?  Are your headaches dependent on position?  Does heat help?  What position do you sleep in and what kind of work do you do?  All of these are important in knowing what you do on a daily basis and what things have helped in the past.  I can give you a better answer when I know more of the details.  I look forward to your response.


Martin