What Does Whiplash Headache Feel Like?

What does whiplash headache feel like? What are the symptoms of whiplash headache? Patients with headache after a whiplash injury will typically experience

pain in the back of the head where the head meets the neck

. This pain may radiate to the temples, the top of the head, the front of the head or down the neck. The pain may be intermittent or constant.

What kind of headaches do you get from whiplash?

Cervical whiplash typically causes neck pain associated with “

cervicogenic headache

”, that is a headache triggered by a painful injury to the neck. Cervicogenic headaches are secondary headaches, caused by an injury to the cervical spine.

How long does whiplash usually last headache?

Most people who have whiplash feel better within a few weeks and don’t seem to have any lasting effects from the injury. However, some people continue to have pain for

several months or years

after the injury occurred.

How do you get rid of a whiplash headache?

Either

heat or cold applied to the neck for 15 minutes every three hours

or so can help you feel better. Over-the-counter pain medications. Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), often can control mild to moderate whiplash pain.

Does whiplash give you a headache?

The symptoms of whiplash may include neck stiffness or reduced range of movement, neck pain, headaches, and even arm pain

. Pain at the back of the neck is often worse with movement, and frequently peaks one or two days after the injury before improving.

How do you test for whiplash?

A: Your assessment will start with a physical exam. Depending on the results, a doctor might order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scan or X-ray if they suspect whiplash. But for most people, the injury occurs within structures too small to be seen in these tests.

Does whiplash show up on an MRI?

While

whiplash does not have a definitive appearance in MRIs

, they are useful for diagnosis. First, MRIs can rule out things like fractures, slipped discs, or other severe injuries that may cause pain, allowing doctors to determine whiplash as the primary injury to treat.

Should you go to the doctors for whiplash?

Treatment may vary and you should go back to see a doctor:

If the pain becomes worse. If the pain persists beyond 4-6 weeks. If other symptoms develop such as loss of feeling (numbness), weakness, or persistent pins and needles in part of an arm or hand

.

What happens to the brain during whiplash?

When this happens, the neck can be injured, leading to pain and immobility. But in addition,

the force of the whiplash can be serious enough to cause the brain to slam into the wall of the skull, resulting in a traumatic brain injury

. The most common type of brain injury that is caused by whiplash is a concussion.

At what speed does whiplash occur?

Whilst whiplash can be sustained in both low speed (

up to 5 MPH

) and moderate to high speed collisions, it is likely that in moderate to high speed collisions additional injuries such as broken bones, head injuries and concussion may also be sustained.

How do I know if my whiplash is serious?

1. pain or stiffness in the neck that goes away and then comes back.
2. severe neck pain.
3. pain, numbness, or tingling in your shoulders, arms, or legs.
4. any issues with your bladder or bowels.
5. localized weakness in an arm or leg.

What should you not do after whiplash?

• Driving Anyway. You need to work, buy groceries, pick up the kids. …
• Just Lying Around. Managing auto repairs and insurance claims can really take it out of you. …
• Wearing A Neck Brace For Too Long. …
• Doing Too Much, Too Soon. …
• Letting Whiplash “Heal On Its Own”

Can a neck injury cause pressure in head?

It’s a pain in the neck that you feel in your head.

People often develop cervicogenic headaches after an injury that causes whiplash or as a result of a pinched nerve in the neck

. Arthritis, neck sprains or a neck fracture can also lead to cervicogenic headaches.

Can a minor fender bender cause whiplash?

Many times, people who are in “fender benders” have some initial soreness, discomfort or headaches. However, these rear-end accidents can actually cause permanent injuries and chronic issues.

Even at slower speeds, rear-end accidents can lead to a Whiplash injury

.

What are the stages of whiplash?

• Grade 0: No complaints about the neck. No physical sign(s).
• Grade I: Neck complaint of pain, stiffness or tenderness only. No physical sign(s).
• Grade II: Neck complaint AND musculoskeletal sign(s). …
• Grade III: Neck complaint AND neurological sign(s). …
• Grade IV: Neck complaint AND fracture or dislocation.

What is Level 2 whiplash?

Grade 2: The patient exhibits

musculoskeletal signs including decreased range of motion and point tenderness

. Grade 3: The patient also shows neurologic signs that may include sensory deficits, decreased deep tendon reflexes, muscle weakness. Grade 4: The patient shows a fracture.

How should I sleep with whiplash?

Try sleeping on a special neck pillow

. Place it under your neck, not under your head. Placing a tightly rolled-up towel under your neck while you sleep will also work. If you use a neck pillow or rolled towel, do not use your regular pillow at the same time.

Can massage make whiplash worse?

If this wasn’t enough bad news, manual practitioners observe that

whiplash symptoms can worsen after bodywork

—almost as if their hands-on work had opened a Pandora’s box of pain, soreness, and spasm.

Can whiplash cause neurological problems?

Whiplash can cause neurological problems

. Basically, there are two types of neurological problems. The first is direct nerve root encroachment or nerve root irritation from direct pressure like herniated discs. As shown in previous blogs regarding the Croft grade for whiplash injuries, this is a type IV and V injuries.

Can whiplash cause problems years later?

Some cases of whiplash resolve within a few weeks or months, especially if the victim receives adequate medical treatment soon after the injury. But in other cases,

the pain and restriction of a whiplash injury can go on for years — or even a lifetime

.

Where does whiplash hurt?

The pain of whiplash is often hard to ignore. The symptoms may include: Pain, decreased range of motion, and tightness in the neck. The muscles may feel hard or knotted.

Can you get an aneurysm from whiplash?

Abstract. Whiplash trauma from a car crash is one of the most common causes of neck injury, resulting in pain and dysfunction.

We report on an unusual case of post-whiplash pseudoaneurysm of the right common carotid artery

, which led to acute massive hemorrhage and death days after the initial trauma.

How do I know if I have a concussion from whiplash?

Signs may appear immediately or not become apparent for hours after the crash occurs. There may be physical symptoms of whiplash such as a headache, but the major signs to watch out for are cognitive.

Confusion, memory problems, sluggishness, uncharacteristic clumsiness, and mood changes

can all indicate a concussion.

What are symptoms of brain swelling?

• Headache.
• Neck pain or stiffness.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Dizziness.
• Irregular breathing.
• Vision loss or changes.
• Memory loss.
• Inability to walk.

How much force does it take to get whiplash?

The impact speed that is required to increase a car’s velocity by 5 mph depends upon the mass of the vehicle that collides with the car, but studies have found that a

6 to 8 mph

impact can be sufficient to produce whiplash injuries in some cases.

How long does minor whiplash last?

Minor Whiplash

If you have suffered whiplash due to a minor road accident, you may experience a couple of days of neck and upper back pain. This can usually be treated by taking painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. Symptoms will typically ease off within

2-3 weeks

.

Can a small accident cause whiplash?

Some people may find it surprising, but

whiplash symptoms can appear after a minor accident

, where the vehicles involved were driving at less than 14 miles per hour. Many car accident victims experience whiplash, yet they don’t always seek medical attention right away.

What can make whiplash worse?

The injury is often made worse because

the muscles, in order to compensate for the sudden movement, pull the head back into position too hard, causing another overstretching in the opposite direction

. The jolt (or blow to the head) can come from behind, in front, or from the side.

Can a chiropractor diagnose whiplash?

How Does a Chiropractor Diagnose a Whiplash Injury?

The chiropractor evaluates your spine as a whole

—even if you go to the chiropractor complaining of neck pain following a trauma. He or she will examine the entire spine because other regions of the spine may be affected (not just your neck).

Is whiplash worse at night?

Symptoms typically arise between 12 and 24 hours after the accident. However, pain and stiffness from whiplash is typically worse on the day following the accident and may continue to worsen with each day [4].

Many patients report that their level of discomfort is highest first thing in the morning and at night

[5].

What does a neck injury headache feel like?

Cervicogenic headache usually begins as

a dull ache in the neck and radiates upward along the back of the head, almost always one-sided

. Pain may also spread to the forehead, temple, and area around the eyes and/or ears. CGH is caused due to an underlying disc, joint, muscle, or nerve disorder in the neck.

What does a cervicogenic headache feel like?

A cervicogenic headache presents as

a steady, non-throbbing pain at the back and base of the skull, sometimes extending downward into the neck and between the shoulder blades

. Pain may be felt behind the brow and forehead, even though the problem originates from the cervical spine.

When should I worry about headaches and neck pain?

Headaches that get steadily worse

. Changes in personality or mental function. Headaches that are accompanied by fever, stiff neck, confusion, decreased alertness or memory, or neurological symptoms such as visual disturbances, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or seizures.

How serious is a fender bender?

A fender bender is a low-speed car accident that

doesn’t result in serious injuries

; the vehicle damage is minimal, and your car is still in driveable shape. Examples of fender benders include: Getting hit when you’re backing your car out of a spot in a parking lot.

Is a fender bender a big deal?

Even seemingly minor fender benders are notorious for being far pricier to fix than most drivers would expect

. To illustrate just how costly fender benders can be, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) staged seven low-speed collisions between several new vehicles.

What happens if you hurt your neck in a car accident?

Spasms are common car accident neck injury symptoms. But you may also experience twinges in your shoulders, back, and arms

. In most cases, cramps occur because your muscles tensed up or were overstretched. As a result, swelling and inflammation occur, affecting the nerves around the muscle.