- June 26, 2023
Causes of headaches after a car accident can include direct trauma, delayed trauma, and being struck by objects flying around or into the car. The treatment you undergo to relieve painful headaches will vary based on their cause. Chiropractic medicine focuses on providing relief from pain using a variety of techniques.
A car accident is a dangerous, traumatic event that can cause serious trauma and injuries. It can leave you with a variety of painful injuries, including chronic and lingering headaches. If you or a loved one suffers a persistent headache, you and your healthcare team can work together to create a treatment plan to overcome the issue. You can reach us at (239) 369-9109 to find out more about headache treatment.
Chiropractic Treatment That Can Relieve Headaches After a Car Accident
When you seek chiropractic care after a car accident, the chiropractic physician who treats you will start by asking questions about your accident. They will conduct a physical exam and may request additional imaging and lab tests to get an overall picture of your health.
According to Mayo Clinic research, headaches are one of the primary reasons injury victims seek chiropractic care. Chiropractic treatments will help your body heal itself from the inside out, including treatments that can provide the pain relief you need after an accident.
Spinal Realignment Can Treat Headaches After Car Accident
The impact of a car accident can force your spine out of alignment and lead to the headaches you are experiencing. Spinal realignment can be beneficial because:
- It manipulates your spine into its correct position, alleviating stress and strain that might be causing or contributing to your headaches
- It can help your body eliminate trapped toxins and gases that could be causing you to feel unwell and exacerbating your headaches
With chiropractic treatment, you can use fewer pain medications and allow your body to readjust itself. It can help you start feeling better and enjoying life again. After your treatment is complete and you feel better, you can get back to your normal routine and preferred physical activities.
Post Traumatic Headaches Can Be Caused by Whiplash
Whiplash is a common car accident injury. It is largely seen in the aftermath of rear-end collisions, according to Mayo Clinic research. This debilitating injury is caused by a forceful whipping motion. Its symptoms can include neck pain that worsens with movement and distressing headaches that usually start at the base of the neck.
Several types of spinal adjustments can help, including:
- Diversified adjustments, seated diversified, and lumbar side posture adjustments offer fast relief by manipulating your spine into its proper alignment
- Thompson Drop-Table Technique lets your doctor apply needed force on a specialized table while you experience minimal force elsewhere on your body
- Knee-chest adjustments allow for manipulation of the cervical spine while positioning your body and back at an optimal degree
- Activator method, where your chiropractor uses a small instrument and minimal force to work in a more controlled method and on a specific area
- The sacral-occipital technique (SOT) lets your doctor target the area from which your headache generates
Mayo Clinic’s treatment plan after a whiplash injury includes chiropractic care, including spinal adjustment. Your doctor will get to know you and your head pain and prescribe the specific treatment plan that will best meet your needs.
The Pain-Relieving Benefits of Massage Therapy After a Car Accident
Many people view massages as a feel-good, occasional treat. Targeted massage therapy is an effective part of whole-body wellness. It can help you find relief from chronic headache pain by improving circulation and increasing flexibility in your neck and shoulders.
Additional car accident injuries that respond favorably to massage therapy include:
- Muscle tension
- Muscle spasms
- Overall stiffness
- Joint discomfort
Massage therapy can also work in conjunction with gentle stretching exercises and strengthening maneuvers to ease soreness. Your massage therapist will target the specific areas of your body that could be causing pain to radiate into your head and neck.
Relieving Migraines After a Car Accident
Any type of headache after a car accident can be traumatic. It can also be hard to live with when pain management drugs do not help with long-term pain relief. A migraine headache after an accident can be even more difficult. It can be polarizing and make even everyday life hard to deal with. A migraine can cause:
- Throbbing head pain
- A pulsating sensation
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sensitivity to light
- Sensitivity to sound
The pain can last for days and leave you feeling drained and incapacitated. Chiropractic treatment for post-car accident migraines can include spinal manipulation. Review your medical history and other accident-related injuries with your doctor. Doing so can lead to the best possible treatment plan for you.
How Long Do Headaches Last After a Car Accident?
Headaches can be troubling and affect your vision, hearing, and even stability. One can last for weeks without relief, or the headache can ebb and flow. Bursts of pain can be even more frustrating and debilitating.
Migraines, the most debilitating headache, can last for days on end. It can be painful enough to interfere with your normal activities and disrupt your life. Post-accident treatment can include diagnostic tests to get to the root of your headaches. You may also need to undergo imaging exams such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans.
You do not have to live with chronic pain when help could be available. A chiropractor can help you find the relief you need. Headaches are not the only pain that can result from a car accident. If a chiropractor treats you, they can help with lower back pain, neck pain, and other related injuries.
Contact Our Patient Intake Team Now if You Suffer Headaches Caused by an Accident
If you were injured in a car accident, you could suffer from persistent headaches. Our healthcare team at Specific Care Chiropractic can help you. We take time to explain what causes headaches after a car accident and how we treat and relieve headache pain.
Start getting the pain relief you need by contacting our patient intake team for your initial appointment. Call (239) 369-9109 today.
