Whiplash injury and pain still going on 5 years later

I was injured in an earthquake five years ago, had surgery on a disc last year and am still having major symptoms.  I had to quit work since driving seemed to aggravate my neck pain, making it worse.  I am concerned that I now am having dizziness when I awake in the morning and it is continuing through the day.  My neck muscles are extremely tight and my range of motion is decreasing.  I get headaches when I do just everyday chores or drive distance.  I don't have income or health benefits.  I have been told to exercise, but the simple neck exercises tend to now bring on symptoms of dizziness and the headaches.
Does anyone have suggestions?
Thanks!

[BundyBlue]

I was injured in a car accident in 1997 and sustained a significant whiplash injury to my neck, 2 herniated disks in my lower back and a broken nose.
Nine years later I still get neck pain and headaches so bad that I throw up and can't stand to look at the light. (NO, I am not a vampire lol)
Here is what a chiropractor said: A lot of it is from my posture aggravating the injury ie, bending over my pc etc
Here is what I have done that seems to help:
Ibuprofen tabs 400mg X 2 three times a day when pain is bad. Cold packs on the back of my neck, a nice comfy pillow, massage, a laptop instead of a desktop, a magnetic ankle bracelet and necklace. I have heard aromatherapy and relaxation help as well.
Look up info about pressure points and magnetic therapy. I find it really helps. There are some pressure points on the back of the neck and head that when stimulated really work to help reduce the pain. A lot of the pain is the result of inflammation  - get rid of that and you get rid of the pain.
Hope these suggestions help...you have to find what works for you. Don't give in to the pain :-)

[GravesLady]

My whip lash occurred from a car accident in 78' and I still have pain in left ball of my head just above the neck, the neck, down to underneath shoulder blade and sometimes down my arm. I do neck exercises but haven't found what works for shoulder blade and arm.  A deep hard message sounds good. I wouldn't be surprised if arthritis hasn't set.  Warmth is good for my
pain(s). I bought a herbal therapy pack that is warmed up in the microwave and is placed on the neck and shoulder which I find every soothing, not only for the pain but also for aroma.

I hope you find a solution and you feel better soon.

Good Luck.

GL

[mizoptimistic]

Thanks for the hints!  I looked up some other comments from August and found Jenny Wren had some good hints, too.  It is the dizziness I am now experiencing that has me concerned.  Does anyone have hints what to do about driving?  My injury caused my neck to whip side to side and back and forth during the 45 seconds of the earthquake.  Driving seems to aggravate it the most, but I don't think I can stop driving!  I have a couple of exercises for the neck, but by doing them, I feel they start the headaches coming.  I am willing to work through the pain, if that is what it takes!
Trigger point pressure seems to work when I can find someone to help, but the neck muscles are so tight, it is hard to get relief.  I have had physical therapy, chiropractic, the neck tubes for hot and cold...does it ever go away???
Thanks for all your comments...they give me hope!

[GravesLady]

Have you tried a neck brace like when driving and other times of convenience.  Doesn't have to be an aggressive neck brace, like a Velcro's, thick foam.  Just enough to help support neck once in a while.

Maybe its the surgery on your disc that is giving you the problems.  My sister had two disc fused together and she hasn't been the same since.  Like a lot of back surgeries, the patient is still has a lot of back pain.

Most of us have to live with some sort of pain all our lives or most of it anyway.  I have been living with back pain off and on since I was 16 and my whiplash pain, a few broken bones and dislocation, and a few other issues that keep me in pain most of the time from one or the other or all.  But there are people much worse off than I am so I try not to complain too much and too often.  And you sound like you are one of them.  Sorry!  I do wish you luck in finding a healing solution that will render you pain and dizzy free.
Good Luck.

GL