Headache After Car Accident

Headache After a Car Accident? Here’s What You Should Know

Car accidents can cause more than just car damage. Even a minor crash can lead to lingering pain—especially in the head and neck. If you’re dealing with a headache after a car accident, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from this painful symptom after a collision, and it’s often a sign that your body needs attention.

Let’s talk about why these headaches happen, the different types you might experience, and how you can get lasting relief.

Why Do Headaches Happen After a Car Accident?

You don’t need to hit your head to get a headache after an accident. The force of the crash can strain your muscles, irritate nerves, or shift the position of your spine. These changes can all lead to different kinds of headaches.

Some of the most common causes include:

• Whiplash
• Tension in the neck and shoulders
• Pinched or irritated nerves
• Concussions or brain injuries
• Stress and anxiety
• Without proper care, these issues may linger for weeks or even months.

Types of Headaches After an Auto Accident

Everyone gets a headache from time to time. But some are more serious—and they don’t go away with rest or pain relievers. Often, people ignore the root cause of the pain. That’s why it’s so important to understand the different types of headache pain after a car accident injury.

The most common types include:

Tension Headaches

These headaches come from tight muscles in your shoulders, neck, and scalp. They feel like pressure or a tight band around the head. Tension-type headaches are not caused by systemic diseases, which means they can often be treated successfully with conservative care.

Cervicogenic Headaches

These begin in the neck and are caused by injury to the cervical spine. The pain can radiate from the back of the head to the forehead or temples. Chiropractic care can be very effective at relieving this kind of pain.

TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) Headaches

The jaw joint can be injured during a crash, especially if your mouth was open at the time. TMJ headaches often cause pain around the jaw, temples, or ears.

Post-Traumatic Headaches

These appear days or even weeks after a car accident. They may feel like migraines or tension headaches and can last a long time if left untreated.

Migraine After a Car Accident – Treatment for Pain Relief

Migraines are less common than tension or cervicogenic headaches, but they are extremely painful. About 18% of women and 6% of men in the U.S. experience migraine headaches.

After a car accident, migraines may be triggered by changes in blood flow or nerve activity. These changes can be caused by:

• • Bright lights or flashing images
  • Strong smells
  • Certain foods or drinks
  • Weather changes
  • Hormonal shifts
  • Emotional stress

Some people see a visual aura, like flashing dots or wavy lines, before the migraine begins. Migraines often include nausea, light sensitivity, and throbbing pain.

Chiropractic Adjustments and Muscle Trigger Point Therapy

Chiropractic treatment after a car accident can be highly effective. At Suffolk Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, we focus on relieving pain naturally—without relying on medications.

Here’s how we help:

Chiropractic adjustments can improve spinal alignment and blood flow, which reduces headache pain.

Muscle spasm treatment helps relax tight muscles and stop spasms that may be causing head pain.

Massage therapy and acupuncture are often added to support healing and reduce stress.

Stretching exercises help improve posture and keep your neck (cervical spine) balanced.

“I have been suffering from severe headache pain for many years after my car accident. Dr. Dow helped isolate the condition coming from my C2 nerve root. I responded well to treatment and no longer have cervicogenic headaches.”
— Monica W., – Wyandanch, NY

Chiropractic Treatment for Improved Blood Flow

Proper spinal alignment can reduce nerve irritation and increase blood circulation. This is especially important in treating migraines and cervicogenic headaches.

During your visit, a chiropractor may:

1. Perform spinal adjustments to improve spinal motion and reduce system stress
2. Offer nutritional advice, including B-vitamin support
3. Teach postural tips, ergonomic changes, and relaxation techniques
4. Recommend home exercises to prevent joint irritation and muscle tightness
5. These natural methods help reduce pain, improve flexibility, and restore normal movement.

You should get medical help right away if your headache:

• Gets worse over time
• Comes with nausea or vomiting
• Causes confusion, memory problems, or blurry vision
• Includes weakness in your arms or legs
• Started after you passed out or hit your head

These could be signs of a concussion or more serious brain injury.

You Don’t Have to Live with Headache Pain After A Car Accident

If you’re still experiencing a headache after a car accident, it’s time to take action. Waiting too long could lead to chronic pain or long-term issues.

At Suffolk Physical Therapy & Chiropractic, we have helped many patients feel better through personalized, drug-free care. We proudly serve patients in Suffolk County, NY, and we’re here to help you, too.

Call us today to request an appointment today and let’s start your path to pain relief. Don’t wait for the pain to go away—get the care you deserve and start healing today.