What is Whiplash?
Whiplash is a fairly common neck injury, most commonly caused by rear-end motor vehicle accidents. The injury usually involves a strain, sprain, or tear in the soft tissues of the neck which happens when there is a sudden and severe movement in the neck.
Nearly twenty percent of people involved in rear-end car accidents experience neck issues following the event, and some people may find that they continue to have problems such as headaches resulting from the injury for years to come.
Headaches from Whiplash
Pain from whiplash is often worse in the days following the injury, but some symptoms such as headaches may last chronically after the injury is seemingly healed. Common issues resulting from whiplash include neck stiffness, reduced range of motion, neck pain, and headaches.
Headaches resulting from whiplash are usually centered at the back of the head, and are what is known as “cervicogenic” headaches – meaning they are secondary pains caused by a disorder in the cervical spine.
Whiplash Treatment
Whiplash sprains usually heal gradually with time and appropriate treatments. A number of treatments are commonly used for whiplash, and subsequent headaches, including: a collar worn around the neck for comfort, medications such as anti-inflammatories, cold and hot packs, physiotherapy, and sometimes surgery which may be deemed necessary with persistent severe headaches.
Headaches are a fairly common and persistent symptom following a whiplash injury. Depending on the severity of the injury, headache symptoms may fade over time – or may require surgery to correct.
