They both need love at the same time.
Information in links is just useful to know.
http://what-when-how.com/dental-ana...ntal-anatomy-physiology-and-occlusion-part-3/
https://trainingandrehabilitation.com/multifactorial-causes-solutions-chronic-neck-pain/
From this article:
What I have also seen, time and time again now, is the same principles as noted above. Massaging will temporarily cause improvement,
but over time (if continued), exacerbation. Strengthening on the other hand, will first increase the level of pain, but once the muscle gets healthier and stronger the pain will completely resolve with long lasting results. The provocative tests will also no longer be positive.
Thus, identify the structures that the affected nerve(s) is passing through, and strengthen them. I did outline most of the common entrapment sites earlier, in the neuralgia section. For thoracic outlet syndrome, that is amongst others the scalenes. For the cruveilhier's plexus, the suboccipitals and upper trapezius, mainly. For the trigeminal nerve, amongst others, the pterygoids. Etc. Be creative, it's not that difficult once you know that massage is futile and that strengthening is the key.
It is very common knowledge that when treating a muscle strain, this muscle needs specific eccentric strengthening. All football players know that if they stretch a hamstring or a calf, this is what they need to do. So why do we not apply the same principles to the cervical muscles? There is absolutely NO reason why! Dogmatic teachings has led both doctors and MSK therapists to believe that these muscles just need to be released, and not strengthened. This is pure iatrogenic treatment, only to exacerbate the patient's already horribly injured musculature!
Some patients get a hyperflexion injury, damaging their extensors such as the trapezius, levator scapulae and spinal extensors. With hyperextension, commonly the sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, longus capitis and longus colli, and even infrahyoidal muscles may get injured. If they become completely torn, this is usually spotted with MRI, and if not, it may be found with ultrasound. However, most of the time, they are only partially injured, but sufficiently so to the degree of utter inhibition and tissue wasting.
The only way to manage and cure this, in my experience, is to gradually strengthen the muscles. This is a very painful process, yet a very effective process. It is important, though, that the exercises performed must be individualized. Use provocative testing to find the muscles that are dysfunctional, and treat them.
The exercises must be performed with utmost caution, as even low intensities can dramatically increase the patient's pain levels to such a degree that they have significant regression. This is not dangerous, and it will subside, but it is unnecessary, and it will scare the patient.