Post–Head Injury Presentation — Observed Changes After Two Sessions of Gentle Manual Therapy

Overview

This example describes observed symptoms and responses noted during massage therapy treatment in an individual with long-standing head and neck symptoms following a past motorcycle accident.

It reflects one individual presentation across two sessions and is provided for educational purposes only.

Presentation

The patient reported a motorcycle accident approximately 20 years prior to seeking treatment.

  • Reported long-standing concerns

  • Persistent head pressure and pain

  • Neck discomfort

  • Eye and jaw pressure

  • Cognitive fog and difficulty thinking clearly

  • A general sense of feeling “off” most of the time

  • Pain-management history (patient-reported)

  • Daily medical cannabis use for pain relief

  • Reported limited benefit from prior pharmaceutical pain medications

  • No additional neurological or medical details were provided.

Treatment Overview

Massage therapy was provided over two sessions, each 60 minutes in duration.

Treatment characteristics

  • Very gentle, subtle manual soft-tissue contact

  • Focus on head, neck, jaw, and related soft tissues

  • Emphasis on reducing tissue guarding and overall pressure

  • Slow pacing and non-provocative contact

  • No forceful techniques, thrusts, or adjunct modalities were used.

Observations Across Sessions

Session 1 — End of Session

  • Head pressure and pain no longer reported

  • Decreased neck discomfort

  • Eye and jaw pressure no longer reported

  • Patient reported improved clarity of thought and no longer feeling “off”

  • No adverse responses were observed.

  • One-Week Follow-Up (Patient-Reported)

  • Pain levels described as reduced by approximately 80–90%

  • Medical cannabis use reported as primarily for stress rather than pain

  • Improved ability to function in daily activities without constant pain

Session 2 — End of Session

  • Symptoms reported as minimal

  • Further reduction in head and neck tension

  • Continued improvement in clarity of thought

  • Ongoing reduction in cognitive fog

  • No adverse responses were reported.

Clinical Context

Individuals with long-standing post-injury symptoms may experience persistent discomfort, pressure sensations, and cognitive changes.

Responses to massage therapy vary and are influenced by multiple factors, including injury history, nervous system sensitivity, and individual health context.

This example documents observed and self-reported changes only and does not establish causation or predict outcomes.

Important Note on Case Examples

This scenario reflects one individual’s presentation and observed response across two sessions.

It does not represent typical outcomes and does not guarantee similar results for others.