Whiplash and Headaches: Symptoms, Types, and Treatment

January 25, 2020

Whiplash is a terrible pain in the neck that is all too often associated with headaches. If you’ve been in a rear-end collision, have been shaken, or have experienced other trauma in which your neck was thrust back, pay attention to your head. Many, if not most, whiplash sufferers encounter headaches. This is why we have compiled important information. Let’s learn more about whiplash and headache connection.

Types of Headache

If you have a headache, it’s pretty obvious. Headaches arise from internal causes and we often take medicines such as aspirin or ibuprofen to alleviate the pain and discomfort. Though scientists have identified over one hundred varieties of headache, there are four primary types of headache:

Tension: This is perhaps the most common type of headache. You might experience tension headaches during a hectic workweek. Many of you will care for the discomfort with ibuprofen and perhaps a nap. Whiplash symptoms can often look like tension headaches.
Migraine: This variety of headache is very difficult to live with, and treat. Although we have listed it as a “headache”, it is more correctly referred to as a vascular blood flow issue. Sufferers may experience blind spots, nausea, heightened sensitivity to all stimulation, and dizziness. The more unfortunate migraine patients experience headaches that last for a month or longer. Some whiplash symptoms include migraine-like symptoms.
Cluster: These are very intense headaches that even result in external symptoms. They are called cluster headaches. Sufferers may have a series of these attacks within a short period of time, such as a week. However, some cluster periods can last for months. They often wake sufferers from sleep. Sometimes impacting one side of the body and can include red eyes, swelling around the eye, droopy eyelid, restlessness, and more.
Sinus: These headaches tend to have an immediate cause such as a sinus infection or an allergic reaction. The inflammation builds up and causes intense pain in your sinus cavities.

Whiplash and Headache

Whiplash headache sufferers are a unique set of patients. Up to 75 percent, or more, of whiplash victims will experience a headache within the first four weeks following an accident. These headaches most often resemble tension headaches but can also resemble symptoms similar to migraine or post-traumatic headache, which is a type that emerges after a blow to the head.

These headaches have symptoms that blur the lines between many different kinds of headache. In fact, whiplash victims report headaches with a fairly even distribution among these headache types:

Tension-type Headache – 37%
Migraine-type Headache – 27%
Cervicogenic Headache – 18%
Non-specific Headache – 18%

Though sufferers can display a wide range of headache symptoms and types, the most common issue is neck pain. One study found that 93 percent of sufferers report neck pain in conjunction with their headache. Other studies haven’t found the same rate of neck pain but up to 75 percent of crash victims report headache.

Since headaches are often not the most intense symptom of whiplash, they are often overlooked and not treated as seriously as they should be.

Treating Whiplash and Headache

The good news is that you can find relief for your whiplash headaches. If you have experienced a collision in which your neck was thrown forcefully backwards, you should consider treating your symptoms as your doctor prescribes, usually with analgesics such as ibuprofen or aspirin. If headache arises after your accident and you experience either stiffness, soreness, or general pain in your neck, there is a good chance you have whiplash.

It’s very important to consult with a healthcare professional. They can administer an x-ray of your neck and begin a treatment protocol right away. Some doctors may recommend applying cold and then after a few days moist heat to the sore area. Your doctor may also suggest additional treatment for you whiplash and headache.Here are a few commonly prescribed practices/therapies: