Question
I was in a rear end collision in Nov.  There were no apparent injuries so I did not go to the ER.  The next day, I had a sore neck and a bad headache, took some OTC meds and thought it was because of the accident. By Wednesday I had this throbbing pain that nothing would help in two spots behind my ears.  Being that I was just out of the military I had not been to a doctor, so I called and made a appointment and because I was a new patient I had to wait a week.  The throbbing pain was all over my head by then, neck really stiff, tried cold packs, didnt work.  Also when I look up at the sky I get this sharp pain.  Dealt with that for a week and went to see the doctor.  He said I had severe whiplash and gave me vicoden and flexorel. Told me if it wasn抰 better in a week to see a chiropractor.  After taking the meds for about 3 days the pain went away.  I quit taking the vicoden on Friday, and then on Sat I quit taking the flexorel. By Monday I was in a great deal of pain(head).  It starts behind my ears and grows all the way to my forehead and eyes sometimes constant pain, throbbing.  I start taking my meds again, and call a chiro and get in right away.  He sends me for X-rays and says that I have pulled muscles between C2-C3 and a straight neck.  I see him for three weeks and I the pain in my neck and head is gone so he has me quit taking my flexoral.  Within in 6 hours pain is back, its bearable.  I go through the day and in pain because he wants to do a exam.  I see him and he says he doesnt know why I am getting the pain but that we will work on the occipital muscles and to take my meds again and that we will do exercises next week.  Two treatments of exercises and I am in pain on my medicine.  This time he adjusts my head.  Wow, within minutes I get relief with the sharp pain, but it the pain comes back after about 3 hours. Still have the numbness, tenseness behind my ears on both sides.  We did this for three visits and the sharp pain is gone altogether.  I still have this tenseness and numb feeling on both sides behind my ears.  He tells me he is not sure what is causing this and that he will see me on Monday and we will go from there. Well Monday amd Wednesday came and he says to go see my PCP.  
I guess my questions are, is there something else I should be doing.  Would a MRI show anything?  I know I cant live without taking this medicine, but yet I don抰 like taking it either.  Is their anything you can suggest that I can suggest?  Please help!!!
Thanks
Jennifer  

Answer
Hello Jen,


   Yes, you may want to have a MRI of the cervical spine and head.  X-rays do not show soft tissue (muscles, ligaments, tendons) and cartilage (disc).  Cartilage and ligament injury can take months to a year before healing is complete, so a MRI would be a great to determine the exact area of injury and your recovery time.

Have a great day,
Dr. Brendon O'Brien D.C.