O'Brien Therapeutic Massage

05/20/2026

One of the most common things I hear from car accident clients is:
“But I felt fine right after the accident.”

That’s actually really common with whiplash injuries.

After a crash, your nervous system shifts into survival mode. Adrenaline and protective muscle guarding can temporarily mask pain and injury symptoms.

Then 2–3 days later:
• the headaches start
• your neck tightens up
• your jaw feels off
• your back starts spasming
• suddenly, your body doesn’t feel like your body anymore

Just because pain didn’t show up immediately doesn’t mean nothing happened.

I specialize in therapeutic massage and nervous system-informed injury rehab for people recovering from auto accidents, chronic tension, and lingering pain patterns.

If your body still hasn’t felt “right” since your accident, I’d love to help.

05/19/2026

Most people think they have to choose between “fix the pain” and “actually relax.”

But your nervous system doesn’t separate the two.

Sometimes, the headache, jaw tension, or tight neck isn’t just about the muscles themselves... it’s about a body that’s been stuck in protection mode for too long.

Whether you need focused therapeutic work, nervous system downregulation, or a space to finally exhale for a minute… I’ve got you.

What does your body need more right now, therapeutic or relaxation? (Or perhaps a mix of both...?)

05/13/2026

Most people expect the pain after a car accident to go away in a few days.

But sometimes it doesn’t.

Maybe the headaches stick around.
Your neck still feels tight.
Your shoulder doesn’t move the same.
You feel “fine” on paper… but your body knows something changed.

Car accident injuries are complex, and they deserve more than just “rubbing where it hurts.”

I specialize in helping clients recover from:
• whiplash
• headaches & jaw tension
• ribcage and seatbelt injuries
• nervous system dysregulation after trauma
• lingering pain patterns after old accidents

And for qualifying Minnesota auto injury claims, insurance may cover treatment.

If your body hasn’t felt the same since the accident, I’d love to help. 🤍

Book now • link in bio
DM with questions or for a free phone consultation

05/13/2026

Free sound baths in Burnsville by the talented Caty Brown 💜 Check it out!

05/13/2026

Most people assume low back pain means the problem is in the lower back.

Not always.

This client had spent years trying to “fix” his pain. PT, chiropractic, doctors, massage… and by the time he found me, he’d pretty much accepted that pain was just part of life now.

But the body is connected. Sometimes, the thing screaming isn’t actually the root issue.

In his case, a huge piece of the puzzle was the psoas/hip flexors after years of sitting and driving trucks.

A few sessions later, he woke up without pain for the first time in years.

That’s why I approach the body the way I do — not just rubbing where it hurts, but figuring out why it hurts in the first place.

If this sounds like you, send me a message or book through the link in bio 🤍

05/06/2026

Don't let yourself be last on your "need to take care of" list...

05/06/2026

Sharing this to appreciate my husband, Dan O'Brien, who's a tower tech! 💙 (...and no, he does not have any fear of heights)

📡 Happy Tower Tech Appreciation Day from One Way Wireless! 🛠️

Today, we’re proud to recognize the incredible tower technicians who keep our world connected—often working hundreds of feet in the air, in all kinds of conditions, with unmatched skill and dedication.

At One Way Wireless, we know that every strong signal starts with a strong team. Our tower techs are the backbone of our operation, ensuring safe installations, reliable maintenance, and seamless connectivity for our customers every day.

👏 Your commitment doesn’t go unnoticed. Thank you for your hard work, courage, and craftsmanship!

Join us in celebrating these everyday heroes by dropping a comment or sharing a shoutout to a tower tech who makes a difference.

04/30/2026

I was walking back and forth barefoot in the grassy picnic area at Spring Lake Park, one of my favorite local spots to bring my morning coffee, listen to the birds and breeze, and chill.

An older man walks past me and says, "It feels good between the toes, doesn't it?"

I said, "oh yeah, I've been waiting all winter for this."

04/29/2026

Neck pain after a car accident isn’t always as simple as “tight muscles.”

A lot of times, your body is still protecting, guarding, and trying to make sense of what happened.

That’s why going straight for the neck — or just adding more pressure — doesn’t always work.

The goal isn’t to force it to relax.
It’s to give your body a reason to let go.

If your neck hasn’t felt the same since your accident, there’s usually a reason.

✨ Book when you’re ready to feel like yourself again

04/22/2026

I also teach! This is from my other page...

Hi there!

I haven’t been super active on this page lately, but I’ve noticed a solid handful of new followers here (thank you 💜), so I wanted to pop in and say hi.

I’m Adrienne! I create courses for massage therapists on working with auto injury recovery clients.

This has been my specialty for 8+ years now (I've been doing massage for 10), and it’s something that’s always hit close to home for me. I was in 3 car accidents when I was 16… and one small one as an adult. (Only the first one was my fault — and honestly, my 16-years-and-3-weeks-old ego was probably the most injured 😄).

But I was left with whiplash, and it’s still, occasionally, a pain in my neck today.

These days, I help clients at my business, O'Brien Therapeutic Massage, recover from auto injuries, find relief from whiplash, and get their lives back after a car accident.

Last year, I launched Auto Insurance Billing for Massage Therapists to help you navigate the (very real) overwhelm of insurance billing — and actually make it feel doable.

And this year… I’ve got something new in the works.

More on that soon 👀

04/17/2026

How massage helps injury recovery:

• Improves circulation by bringing oxygen and nutrients to injured tissues so they can actually heal

• Redirects pain pathways ~ helping calm the nervous system and change how the brain perceives pain

• Releases restrictions in the tissues ~ muscles, fascia, and joints that have been guarding or compensating after injury

• Supports mental wellness ~ reducing stress, anxiety, and that “on edge” feeling that often follows trauma

• Helps prevent future injury ~ by creating resilience, awareness, and a stronger connection with your body

Because injury recovery isn’t just about “fixing” one spot.

It’s about how your whole system responds after something happens...the tissues, the nervous system, and the patterns your body adopts to protect you.

Massage helps unwind those patterns… so your body doesn’t have to stay stuck in them.