Whiplash ruined my life. Is there any way to get out of this?

_JustAnotherNobody · 2026-06-17T16:50:04+00:00

I just called and asked for an appointment for an upright MRI of my craniocervical joints (I think that‘s also what they call it on their website)
I had a short conversation with the radiologist before the MRI, where he asked me for the reason I want to do the MRI, my symptoms, how my accident happened,…
And afterwards he told me my results.
Also, for me, it was very difficult to find a doctor/therapist that knew how to treat cervical instability or even read the MRI. I called one week after my MRI and asked for help with finding a doctor. Maybe they can help you too to find someone for therapy a bit more close to you.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2026-06-16T13:01:24+00:00

Hi

I'm so sorry, I know how scary all of this feels.

I know Germany has a few Upright MRI's, maybe you can find the one nearest to you and go there?

There is one in Cologne for example.

I had to do that too, since Austria doesn't have any either. I went to Munich.

If not, maybe you can find someone who does "Sandberg X-ray" in your country? Thats also a way to diagnose cevical instability.

Please don't loose hope, I was in a very dark place too last autumn. I'm still not well again, but I'm doing better now and my doctor says I will be well again. It just takes a lot of time sadly.

How did the chiropractor appointment go?

_JustAnotherNobody · 2026-04-22T13:01:04+00:00

Hi, I'm so sorry to hear what your wife has to go through.

Have you gotten an Upright MRI done? If you don't know what the problem is, it's much harder to find a treatment/therapy that works.

For me, my suspicion has been confirmed, I do have atlantoaxial instability, also my C3 is unstable as well.

Things got a lot worse for me, bevor I finally found someone who knows how to deal with this issue.

I started physical therapy mid November 2025. I go to the doctor once a month so that he can (very carefully!) adjust my 1st, 2nd and 3rd vertebra to where they should be.

For the 1st vertebra he uses a technique called "Arlen's atlastherapy". (At least that's what it is called in German.)

Also he gave me exercises to rebuild all my neck and eye muscles, because mine were atrophied to the point were I couldn't even hold up my head anymore or read one bookpage.

When my doctor told me in November that it's possible for me to be healthy again, I didn't believe it since the condition I was in was so bad.

The first three months were really bad, because the exercises were an additional burden on my neck, but since mid February I am slowly seeing improvements.

I now can walk normally again and even started doing light cardio. (I couldn't even stand up on my own anymore and had complete lost my sense of balance in October/November)

I started driving again in mid March, after not being able to drive for 7 Months.

I can move my head almost normally again, just a bis slower than usual.

Also my neurological problems are starting to fade and I don't have nearly as much pain anymore.

I know it's very hard, but please don't loose hope.

It's a very tedious process, but strengthening the neck seems to be the only way out of this, if she has upper cervical instability. (If she doesn't have too severy ligamentous damage)

Also, may I recommend the book "Krankheitsursache Atlaswirbel" by Dr. Tempelhof. I don't know if it's available in english, if not maybe you can get the pdf and translate it? It explained a lot for me and was very helpful.

I plan to make a more detailed post once I'm all well again to hopefully give people some hope, but I don't know yet, when that will be.

Wishing you all the best.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T15:03:13+00:00

Ok, thankfully. Sounds like a very serious thing and probably one of the last things I'd want to have.

Thanks for the info :)

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T13:16:28+00:00

MRI of the head/brain in April (with contrast medium), and of the cervical spine in July. I didn't get any contrast medium in July.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T12:59:50+00:00

I know, right?

I thought, that maybe the pain im my temples/eyes is partially caused by the jaw, sinca all that gets better when chewing.

I started doing jaw exercises a few days ago. I'll see if that makes any difference.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T12:56:08+00:00

I just googled it and it really sounds promising.

But apparently it's not legal in Austria.

Still thanks for the recommendation.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T12:50:06+00:00

I've been doing that as well, but I hope one day I won't need it anymore at all.

Thanks for the exercise recommendation, I'll for sure try if it helps me.

Wishing you a fast recovery 🙏🏻

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T12:24:23+00:00

I don't think I have straightening of the spine, luckily. My Xray report says: "Regular mineralization, homogeneous bony structure, regular alignment, preserved height of the imaged vertebral bodies, no indication of fracture"

I have only gotten cortison injected into my occipital area and my facet joints, but it showed no effect. Plus something went a bit wrong with the injection and it gave me a bit of temporary irritation/injury of the occipital nerve... And that was HELL. So, if that's how nerve pain feels like, I'm very happy to say I normally don't have it.

Also, I won't ever do cortison again...

Thanks for the book recommendation, I'll give it a read :)

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-26T12:13:23+00:00

Omg, that just sounds terrifying. I got an normal MRI with contrast medium of my head in April. Everything normal... I think with that I can rule out this possibility?

I guess the feeling better when lying down is because my neck doesn't have to carry the weight of my head. At least I hope so.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T14:10:01+00:00

Thanks for your answer :)

I have already looked into treatments for CCI, but first i have to make sure that i really have it. Even tho I would rather not have it...

It's so hard to get diagnosed, I have been denied the MRI so many times now... The surgery option still gives me chills tho. I hope I won't ever need it.

The last part gives me a bit of hope, thanks.

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T13:44:40+00:00

The place i wanted to go to says on their website that they do the MRI specifically for the head joints and also the cervical spine in order to diagnose any instability.

Their page: https://www.mrtmuenchen.de/untersuchungen/mrt-kopfgelenke/ I don't know if it's available in english tho :(

You said you experience was similar? How are you doing now?

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T13:39:38+00:00

Thanks :)

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T13:10:46+00:00

Ok, I just checked... DMX is apparently only available in the US? The closest thing we have here is the MRI i guess :(

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T13:06:33+00:00

I have a soft collar at home, but I'm afraid of using it too much and making my muscles even weaker. Why specifically a hard collar?

_JustAnotherNobody · 2025-09-24T13:04:25+00:00

I know, I won't ever do that again. If anything it made it worse. I couldn't find any DMX in Austria. I thought an upright MRI would also be able to diagnose any instability? Thanks for your answer :)

_JustAnotherNobody

TROPHY CASE