Car accidents, even minor ones, can leave you feeling rattled. Sometimes, symptoms don’t show up right away. One of the most common complaints people report in the hours or days after a crash is a headache. If you or someone you know has ever been in a car accident, then you’ve likely been checked out by a doctor for whiplash.
Whiplash is the most common car accident injury because, while your upper body is typically secured by a seat belt, your head and neck are left to jostle around with the force of the accident. When your head and neck get shaken up or snap forward and backward pretty violently upon impact then whiplash is very likely. Whiplash is also a tricky car accident injury because symptoms don’t always show up right away, which is why you want to get checked out by a Marietta whiplash chiropractor after a car accident.
What Is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a neck injury that occurs when your head is suddenly jerked forward and then backward, kind of like the cracking of a whip. This rapid motion can put a strain on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck and upper spine. It’s common in rear-end collisions but can also happen during falls, sports injuries, or other types of violent impact.
Common symptoms of whiplash include:
- Neck pain and stiffness
- Shoulder or upper back pain
- Decreased range of motion
- Dizziness
- Tingling or numbness in the arms
- Headaches
Yes, headaches are a very common symptom of whiplash. In fact, a headache from whiplash can be one of the earliest warning signs that your neck and upper spine have been injured in a car accident.
Does Whiplash Cause Headaches?
Yes, whiplash does cause headaches in many cases. When the soft tissues in your neck are injured, inflammation can build up and put pressure on surrounding nerves and muscles. This irritation can send pain signals to your head, triggering a headache from whiplash.
Plus, damage to the upper part of your spine that supports the neck can interfere with nerve function, contributing to headaches. Tension and stress in the neck muscles also play a major role in the development of headaches after whiplash.
Headache Pain after a Car Accident
One of the first things you might notice after a car accident is a headache. The stress and trauma of the accident can get adrenaline pumping through your body and you might not notice much more than a few scrapes and bruises at first. However, once your adrenaline starts to wear off, the pain tends to set in. Headaches after an accident may occur due to the emotional stress of the accident but they can also be a sign of something physical going on too.
A headache after a car accident, especially one that doesn’t go away or gets gradually worse as time goes on, is typically a sign that you have whiplash or another car accident injury. Oftentimes, developing painful and even debilitating headaches after a car accident is what causes people to reach out to a whiplash chiropractor for help.
What Does a Whiplash Headache Feel Like?
The type of headache you experience after a car accident can reveal a lot about what’s going on in your body. A whiplash headache typically begins at the base of the skull and radiates upward toward your forehead. Whiplash headaches might also feel like a tight band around your head or a deep, aching pain behind your eyes. These headaches can vary in intensity; some people feel dull aches, while others experience sharp, stabbing pain. They might be constant or come and go throughout the day. You may also notice that your headache gets worse when you move your neck or shoulders.
Whiplash Symptoms
Headache pain is one of the most common symptoms of whiplash and may be the first symptom you notice after a car accident. These headaches might seem different than other headaches you’ve experienced because the pain tends to occur at the back of the head. Headaches after a car accident can also feel like migraines, or you might notice pain behind your forehead and eyes.
Other symptoms of whiplash include muscle pain in your neck, back, and even shoulders. When your head and neck are thrown forward and snap backward roughly during the accident, it can cause the muscles in your neck to strain and stretch uncomfortably. Stress to your neck muscles can lead to swelling and tenderness in the area. Many people who experience whiplash also describe difficulty turning their necks from side to side without considerable pain and stiffness.
Headache vs. Concussion: What’s the Difference?
While whiplash and headache symptoms are common together, it’s important to distinguish between a whiplash headache and a headache caused by a concussion or traumatic brain injury (TBI).
If you hit your head during the accident or lose consciousness, even briefly, you could be dealing with a concussion. Concussion-related headaches may be accompanied by symptoms like:
- Confusion
- Nausea or vomiting
- Memory problems
- Sensitivity to light or noise
- Difficulty concentrating
If you experience any of these symptoms along with a headache, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention. A car accident doctor can perform the necessary tests to determine whether you’re dealing with a concussion, whiplash, or something more.
Other Causes of Headache After a Car Accident
Not every headache after a car accident is because of whiplash, though it is one of the most common causes. Other possibilities of a headache after a car accident include:
- Muscle tension: Stress from the collision and post-accident anxiety can lead to tension headaches.
- Spinal misalignment: Even a slight shift in spinal alignment during the accident can trigger pain and headaches.
- Pinched nerves: Nerve compression in the neck or upper back may send pain signals to the head.
How Long Does a Headache After Whiplash Last?
The duration of a headache after whiplash can vary depending on the severity of the injury and how soon you receive treatment. Some people recover within a few days to a week, while others may experience chronic headaches that last for weeks or even months. It’s important not to ignore ongoing or worsening headaches and other symptoms. Early intervention can prevent long-term complications from whiplash and help you heal faster.
Diagnosing Whiplash
There isn’t one specific test your doctor can run to diagnose whiplash. Instead, your doctor will want to hear about your symptoms, including when they started and how the severity has changed in the days or weeks since the accident. A whiplash chiropractor will perform a physical exam and assess the spine and muscles of your neck and upper back. Your care team may order diagnostic imaging to rule out structural damage or neurological involvement.
Diagnostic imaging tools like X-rays or an MRI can be utilized to rule out other injuries, like a concussion, fracture, or herniated disc. X-rays can identify spinal misalignments or fractures, while MRI scans can detect soft tissue damage like herniated discs or ligament strains. CT scans can also provide a detailed view of bones and tissues to assess more complex injuries. These tests are especially important when dealing with headaches after whiplash, as they can pinpoint underlying issues contributing to your discomfort. Accurate diagnostics lead to more targeted treatment and faster relief.
Treating Whiplash and Headache Symptoms
If you’re suffering from whiplash and headaches after a car accident, don’t wait to seek help. Prompt, professional care is key to relieving immediate pain as well as preventing long-term complications. Left untreated, a headache from whiplash can become a chronic condition that disrupts your daily life, sleep, work, and emotional well-being. The good news? With the right combination of care, recovery is very possible.
Here are some effective treatments for headaches from whiplash:
1. Chiropractic Care
Whiplash often causes misalignment in the cervical spine, leading to nerve compression, muscle tension, and inflammation, all of which can trigger persistent headaches. A car accident chiropractor can use adjustments that work to realign the vertebrae in your neck and upper back to help this pressure and restore proper motion. Your car accident chiropractor may also incorporate manual therapy, trigger point therapy, and instrument-assisted techniques to reduce muscle tightness and improve circulation.
2. Physical Therapy
Physical therapy plays a key role in long-term recovery from whiplash and other car accident injuries. Your physical therapist will focus on strengthening weakened muscles, improving your flexibility, and improving range of motion in the neck and shoulders. Since tension in these areas can contribute to headaches from whiplash, physiotherapy can provide long-lasting relief.
Physiotherapy plans for car accident injuries like whiplash may include:
- Stretches and mobility exercises
- Heat or cold therapy
- Posture correction techniques
- Ultrasound therapy
- Electrical stimulation
Physical therapy not only helps eliminate current symptoms but also helps prevent re-injury by improving the body’s overall neck stability and function.
3. Pain Management
For moderate to severe pain, pain management may be necessary to help you function while other therapies begin to take effect. Your car accident doctor may recommend the following:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen to reduce swelling and ease pain
- Muscle relaxants to decrease tension and spasms in the neck
- Prescription pain relievers for short-term use in more severe cases
It’s important to note that pain management is never one-size-fits-all, which is why it’s beneficial to work with an experienced team that specializes in the treatment of your unique condition, like our team of car accident doctors at AICA Orthopedics.
When Should You See a Car Accident Doctor?
You should always seek medical care after a car accident, even if you feel okay at first. Delayed symptoms are extremely common, especially with whiplash. Even if the headache seems minor, it’s better to be safe. You could be dealing with a headache from whiplash, and early treatment can make a huge difference in your recovery.
See a car accident doctor immediately if you experience:
- Headaches that begin hours or days after the accident
- Pain that worsens with neck movement
- Dizziness or visual disturbances
- Nausea or memory problems
- Neck stiffness or reduced range of motion
Don’t Let a Headache Slow You Down
Car accidents can be traumatic, but lingering pain doesn’t have to be part of the aftermath. If you’re dealing with a headache after whiplash, you’re not alone. At AICA Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating car accident injuries, including whiplash and headache symptoms. Our multispecialty team of orthopedic doctors, chiropractors, neurologists, and physical therapists work together to provide customized care that targets the root cause of your pain. From your initial consultation to your final follow-up, we’re here to help you heal safely and completely. Don’t wait for the pain to get worse. Whether you’re experiencing a whiplash headache, neck stiffness, or dizziness after a crash, AICA Orthopedics has the expertise and resources to help. Call us today or schedule your free consultation online to start your journey to recovery.