Headache after a Car Accident in Chicago?
Recovering from a car accident can be a headache, both metaphorically and literally. Headaches and migraines are very common symptoms of “whiplash,” or the back-and-forth movement of the head and neck that occurs due to sudden shock and jolt. Whiplash forces the head out of its normal range of motion and therefore can affect the muscles, tissues, and joints in the neck and back. While whiplash is one of the most common injuries received in car accidents, many whiplash patients do not experience their symptoms until well after the incident has occurred.
A common complaint after a car accident is head and neck pain, although most headaches take a few days to become bothersome. Head injuries are one of the most common injuries resulting from a car accident. Let’s look at some of the causes:
Whiplash: One-third of all people injured in car accidents are treated for whiplash, usually caused when the neck and head are violently moved back and forth after impact with another vehicle. Whiplash often causes sprains of the cervical ligaments, located at the base of your skull. These sprains cause tension in the muscles of the neck and head, which can manifest as a headache. Whiplash can also cause swelling in your brain, which can lead to pressure or tension headaches as your brain pushes against your skull.
Concussions: A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury, generally viewed as mild to moderate in severity, but always a cause for concern. Concussions can be from impact with another object, such as the dashboard, steering wheel, or windshield, or they can be the result of whiplash.
Stress: It is well known that stress can contribute to or cause tension headaches and migraines. After a car accident, when there is a lot of uncertainty about your future, you may experience enough stress to cause headaches.
Spinal definitions and neck-focused chiropractic treatments can reduce inflammation and swelling, relieving symptoms of whiplash or concussions.
To learn more about our treatment procedures or for a consultation with one of our doctors, please contact our chiropractors for auto accident injury treatment in Chicago to get the appropriate treatment for you. Call or contact us today to schedule an appointment.
