These dang muscles cause me so much problems with pain and may contribute the the majority of my neck dysfunction. I had a whiplash injury in my late teens and this has been a chronic problem, I have tried all kinds of injections to relax these rock hard muscles, massage, you name it and I have good and bad days. I am not aware of any IJV at this point however my C2-C3 maybe contributing and I am starting to suspect some compression as when I press in that area, it refers to my ear where I get alot of pain. I had the ES surgery on this side and havent had full relief yet and didnt expect full relief - I try to be realistic. Im hoping when I do the other side in a couple weeks, I might get some function back and get these muscles to relax.