Could My Headaches Be from Whiplash?

Headaches are a common complaint among people of all ages, but this is especially true of those who have suffered physical trauma. A frequent injury from vehicle accidents, falls and personal trauma is whiplash. While many factors about this injury are ambiguous, medical practitioners do know that it can result in lingering and progressively worse headaches.

Dr. Sina Rajamand and his skilled team at Battle Born Brain and Spine provide experienced care for whiplash victims in and around Reno, Nevada. Could your headaches after suffering trauma be caused by whiplash? Let’s explore the topic a bit more thoroughly.

Physical Effects of Whiplash

Whiplash actually gets its name from the “whipping” back-and-forth motion of the neck and head that is caused in some accidents. Rear-end vehicle collisions commonly cause this to occur, but a fall accident where the head strikes the ground or a hard surface can also cause this detrimental action. The brain is literally bounced around inside the skull, causing trauma in varying factors.

Common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Ringing in the ears
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Worsening of pain with neck movement
• Loss of range of motion in the neck
• Headaches, most often starting at the base of the skull
• Blurred vision
• Tenderness or pain in the shoulder, upper back or arms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
• Memory or concentration problems
• Sleep problems
• Headaches

Depending on the severity of the accident and its effects, victims of whiplash could have several of these symptoms, and they could linger for some time.

Whiplash and Headaches

Not a great deal is known about whiplash and headaches. Trauma to the brain, as well as stress on the cervical spine, can affect nerves in various ways to produce headaches. Some accident victims begin having headaches right away, while others may not suffer headaches until days or weeks after the event. Often, the headaches will vary in intensity and duration.

Advanced imaging can reveal if other structural problems are contributing to your headaches or if the diagnosis is likely whiplash. Dr. Rajamand can offer a range of treatments to help combat the effects of whiplash, including headaches. These can include physical therapy, medications, massage, acupuncture and more.

Contact us today at Battle Born Brain and Spine in Reno if you suffer from lingering headaches after an accident. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and treatment to relieve pain, stiffness, headaches and other symptoms.