Can Whiplash Cause Headaches?
Whiplash injury is most commonly associated with neck pain and stiffness following a car accident, but those are not the only symptoms that might develop. Many people also experience headaches in the hours or days following an accident.
Can whiplash cause headaches? Yes. The rapid back-and-forth movement of the head and neck during a collision can strain the muscles, joints, and other structures in the neck. In some people, injuries like these can contribute to headaches that begin in the base of the skull and spread to other areas of the head.
If you have developed persistent headaches following a car accident, understanding the possible connection to a neck injury can help you know when to get care.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that is caused by a sudden movement of the head backward and forward. Rear-end car accidents are a common cause, though whiplash can occur in other ways, too, such as a sports injury, during falls, or after other traumatic events.
During a collision, the neck moves rapidly beyond the normal range of motion. This might affect the muscles, ligaments, joints, and even the spinal cord.
Common whiplash symptoms include:
Neck pain
Neck stiffness
Reduced range of motion
Shoulder or upper-back discomfort
Muscle tenderness
Headaches
Dizziness
Fatigue
It's important to understand that symptoms don't always appear immediately following whiplash. Some people actually feel totally normal after the incident, but then develop pain and stiffness hours or even days later.
Why Does Whiplash Cause Headaches?
Your head and neck are very closely connected, so any injury that involves your cervical spine can cause pain that is felt in the head.
Muscles and joints in the upper neck often become irritated or strained due to the sudden movement of whiplash. Pain signals that originate in these areas may then be perceived as headaches.
This type of headache pain is often referred to as cervicogenic headaches, which means the source of the pain is in the neck, even though you may feel the pain in the back of the head. These are different from other headaches like tension headaches or cluster headaches, but all may produce pain.
What Does a Whiplash Headache Feel Like?
A post whiplash headache may feel different from one person to another. Some people get pain at the base of the skull, which then travels up towards the top of the head. Others might have pain on one side of the head or even near the forehead or eyes. Sometimes people get chronic pain from chronic headaches or it might just be part of the lingering symptoms of the injury.
A headache related to the neck may also occur alongside:
Neck stiffness
Pain when turning the head
Tenderness in the neck or shoulders
Limited neck movement
Pain that worsens with certain positions
Upper-back or shoulder discomfort
Headaches may be intermittent or persistent depending on the severity of the injury and other factors.
Because many conditions can cause headaches, however, you shouldn't assume that every headache after a collision is caused by whiplash.
How Soon Can Headaches Start After Whiplash?
A headache can develop shortly after an accident, but delayed symptoms are also possible. As inflammation and muscle stiffness increase, someone who initially felt fine may begin noticing neck discomfort and headaches over the following hours or days. Sandia Injury Center can answer questions like how long after a car accident can i claim injury?
If you develop a new headache after an accident, or if pain persists, tell your healthcare provider when it began, where you feel the pain, and what other symptoms you're experiencing.
Could a Headache After a Car Accident Be Something More Serious?
Yes. Although headaches can accompany whiplash, head pain following a collision can also be associated with other injuries, including a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
Seek prompt medical attention if a headache following an accident is severe, worsening, or accompanied by symptoms such as:
Loss of consciousness
Severe pain
Repeated vomiting
Significant confusion
Slurred speech
Weakness or numbness
Seizures
Difficulty staying awake
Problems with coordination
A sudden or unusually severe headache also warrants medical attention. Understanding how long does it take to recover from whiplash can be helpful.
The goal isn't to assume the worst whenever you have a headache after a crash. It's to make sure potentially serious injuries aren't overlooked by assuming the pain is "just whiplash."
How Are Whiplash-Related Headaches Evaluated?
Evaluation generally begins with a discussion of the accident and your symptoms.
A healthcare provider may ask how the collision occurred, when the headache started, where you feel pain, and whether particular movements make it worse. They may also evaluate your neck's range of motion, muscle tenderness, posture, and other physical findings.
Depending on your symptoms and the circumstances of the accident, additional diagnostic testing or referral to another medical professional may be appropriate.
Providing a complete description of all your symptoms is important. For example, mention dizziness, vision changes, numbness, tingling, or concentration problems rather than focusing exclusively on your headache.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Headaches After Whiplash?
When headaches are associated with musculoskeletal injuries involving the neck, chiropractic care may be one component of a patient's treatment plan. It might help with pain relief and help to heal a neck injury caused by an accident.
Treatment varies depending on the individual's injuries, symptoms, and overall health. Chiropractic care may focus on restoring comfortable movement, addressing joint and muscle dysfunction, and reducing neck-related discomfort.
A treatment plan may incorporate different approaches rather than relying on a single technique.
The first step should be determining what may be causing the headache. If symptoms suggest a concussion, neurological injury, or another condition requiring different medical care, appropriate evaluation or referral is important. A Personal injury chiropractor in Albuquerque may be recommended.
Addressing Headaches After a Car Accident
Headaches can be a symptom of a whiplash incident, particularly when neck muscles, joints, and other tissues have been strained during a collision. The pain may begin near the base of the skull and occur alongside stiffness, tenderness, or limited neck movement.
However, headaches after an accident shouldn't automatically be attributed to whiplash. Because head pain can also accompany concussion and other injuries, getting an appropriate evaluation is important.
If you're experiencing headaches, neck pain, or stiffness after a car accident in Albuquerque, Sandia Injury Center can evaluate your symptoms and develop an individualized treatment plan based on your needs. Addressing the source of your discomfort can be an important step toward restoring movement and getting back to your normal activities.