Recovering from a car accident can be a headache – metaphorically and literally. Headaches and migraines are very common symptoms of whiplash, or the “whipping” motion of the head and neck that occurs due to a jarring, jolting movement. Whiplash forces the head out of its normal range of motion and therefore can affect the muscles, tissues and joints in the neck and back. While whiplash is one of the most common injuries sustained in car accidents, many whiplash patients do not experience its symptoms until well after the incident occurs.
Frequent headaches or migraines after a car accident can be a good indication of sustained whiplash. Whiplash causes strain to the muscles, tendons and nerves in the neck, which can become inflamed and irritated and subsequently cause severe headaches and even migraines. Whiplash pain generally stems from the neck and radiates through the head. Other causes of headaches and migraines after a car accident include concussion, trauma to the head or other area of the body and stress and fatigue.
Headaches after Car Accidents
Car accidents can cause many types of headaches, including:
- Migraines: migraines are a common symptom of whiplash, and can occur within hours or days of the car accident.
- Vascular headaches: this type of pain is the result of poor cerebral circulation, which is caused or exacerbated by whiplash. Vascular headaches can last for months following a car accident.
- Analgesic headaches: many victims of car accidents treat their symptomatic pain with medications, which can actually cause or exacerbate headaches.
- Sympathetic nerve dysfunction: this type of headache stems from trauma to the cervical nerve truck.
Chiropractic treatment of your car accident-related headaches can help you alleviate pain and increase mobility safely and naturally. At Meadows Chiropractic, we specialize in treating car accident victims with the care they need to get back to the everyday activities they enjoy. Whether your headaches are caused by a whiplash injury, concussion or other type of trauma, we’ll help you get back on your feet – and feeling better – right away.
