Whiplash, Headaches, and Post-Concussion Syndrome

The term "whiplash" is used to describe an injury mechanism of sudden hyperextension followed by hyperflexion of the neck. This type of injury is commonly seen in sports injuries and traffic accidents. When no objective signs of damage to the cervical spine are found on radiography and no clinical signs of nerve root damage appear, the injury is termed whiplash injury or neck sprain injury. A significant proportion of the patients have long-lasting symptoms, disabling some of them for long periods of time.

Another interesting fact about whiplash injuries is that the headache or neck pain often does not come on immediately. It can build over several weeks, to become horrible several weeks after the injury. The injury may not have even been considered significant at the time it occurred. The most common symptoms after whiplash injury are neck pain, neck stiffness, headache, shoulder pain, back pain, and difficulties with concentration and memory. Dizziness, buzzing in the ears, insomnia, depression, and anxiety are also reported. The first scientific papers about whiplash and neck sprain injuries were published in the early 1950s.(1)

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