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What is a Whiplash Headache?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
A whiplash headache is a type of headache a person may develop after being in an accident. Whiplash is a common injury that often happens in car accidents and occurs when a person’s head suddenly moves forward and backward as a result of the collision. Many people are most familiar with the neck pain that results from whiplash, but some people develop headaches, too. Often, the pain is focused on the area at the base of the skull. Some people develop a whiplash headache soon after an accident while others may not notice head pain until hours later.
Whiplash is primarily described as a neck injury, but it can cause a range of symptoms, including those that involve the head. It occurs from the sudden, forceful backward and forward movement of the head in an accident. This movement puts strain on the muscles and ligaments of the neck and causes the pain associated with whiplash. A whiplash headache usually develops at the base of a person’s skull. Some people, however, may notice headache pain that affects the whole head or just the forehead.
In many cases, a whiplash headache develops soon after an accident. For example, a person who has been in an accident often notices the head pain upon waking the day after an accident, though some people may notice it right afterward. In many cases, the pain starts in the person’s neck and then seems to radiate from the neck up to the back of the head. Interestingly, a person with the type of headache that starts at the back of the skull may also have shoulder pain at the same time.
Whiplash headache can be treated with painkillers. Often, over-the-counter pain medications help relieve the pain. In some cases, however, the pain is serious enough to require prescription medications. Some people also experience relief from applying heat to the back of the neck. On the other hand, people are often advised to avoid applying cold to the back of the neck in an effort to relieve the pain of a whiplash headache, as doing so may make the pain worse.
In time, a whiplash headache should fade on its own. There are some people, however, who suffer from pain that lasts for weeks or even months after an accident. Physical therapy, acupuncture, and spinal injections may help relieve pain that is severe or lasting.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![A woman wearing a neck brace for whiplash.]()
By: ESLINEA woman wearing a neck brace for whiplash. -
![Whiplash can occur when a person is in a car accident.]()
By: Monkey BusinessWhiplash can occur when a person is in a car accident. -
![A whiplash headache can be treated with painkillers at the onset of pain.]()
By: Piotr MarcinskiA whiplash headache can be treated with painkillers at the onset of pain. -
![Symptoms from whiplash can last several weeks or become a chronic issue.]()
By: Monkey BusinessSymptoms from whiplash can last several weeks or become a chronic issue. -
![Lasting pain from a whiplash headache may be treated with acupuncture therapy.]()
By: Yanik ChauvinLasting pain from a whiplash headache may be treated with acupuncture therapy.
Discussion Comments
@Steamlouis: A neck collar should not be used unless prescribed by your doctor. It can weaken your neck muscles (because you're not using them) and slow down recovery.
Look up clinical guidelines for whiplash in your country.
@fify-- Whiplash pain and headache may or may not be a sign of concussion. You should be seen by a doctor to make sure that you didn't suffer an injury to your head or neck.
Even a minor car accident can cause serious injuries to the neck and head, so please don't take this lightly.
If everything looks normal during your check-up, then just rest and take a pain reliever. You might want to consider wearing a soft cervical collar to keep your neck immobilized so that it can recover faster.
Are whiplash and headaches a sign of concussion?
I was rear-ended by a truck this afternoon. I'm feeling fine for the most part-- I don't have confusion or nausea but I do have a headache and neck pain. Am I at risk of a concussion?
My mom developed a whiplash headache soon after her car accident. She actually developed a neck hernia from the accident but it wasn't diagnosed until six months later. The headache was the first sign of whiplash she had.
She went through physical therapy and is mostly better now, but sometimes, the whiplash headache returns when her posture is bad. She has me do some light massage at the root of her neck with a topical pain reliever and that helps a lot. Like the article said, keeping the neck warm helps as well.
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