The Link Between Spinal Disorders And Chronic Headaches

Headaches are among the most common medical complaints in the United States. While many folks attribute their pain to stress, dehydration, or the lack of sleep, there is a growing body of scientific evidence showing that headaches often have a structural cause, particularly stemming from the spine.

According to research published in Spine (2002), disorders of the cervical spine (your neck region) are a frequent cause of chronic headaches, a condition often referred to as cervicogenic headaches. For those who have just been in an accident, especially car accident victims, this connection is critically important. What may initially appear to be “just a headache” could actually be a sign of significant spinal trauma.

How do spinal problems contribute to headaches? 

The cervical spine is home to critical nerves, muscles, and blood vessels that supply the head and brain. When the spine is injured, misaligned, or strained, these structures can become irritated or compressed, leading to pain that radiates upward through the head.

Common causes of spine-related headaches include:

• Whiplash injuries from car accidents
• Falls that strain the neck and back
• Workplace injuries from heavy lifting or repetitive movements
• Degenerative disc issues or spinal misalignments

Unlike tension or migraine headaches, cervicogenic headaches often begin in the neck and radiate forward, sometimes accompanied by stiffness, limited range of motion, or pain in the shoulders.

The legal implications of spinal-related headaches 

For those who have suffered a recent personal injury, proving the connection between an accident and ongoing headaches can be a challenge. Insurance companies can downplay headaches as “minor” or unrelated to the accident, offering low settlement figures that do not reflect the true impact of the injury.

However, medical evidence indicates what many victims know from experience: spinal trauma can and does lead to chronic, debilitating headaches. A skilled Jacksonville personal injury lawyer will work with medical experts to demonstrate how an accident caused structural changes to the spine, which in turn created debilitating headaches.

Compensation in these cases can cover:

• Ongoing medical treatment, including physical therapy and chiropractic care
• Neurological evaluations and diagnostic testing
• Lost wages due to missed work or reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering due to chronic, daily headaches that impact quality of life

Seeking medical and legal help

For those experiencing frequent headaches following an accident, it’s important that you don’t dismiss your symptoms as “normal.” Seeking prompt medical attention not only improves your health outcomes, it also establishes a record of your condition that can be vital to your legal claim.

Gillette Law understands the complex relationship between spinal trauma and chronic headaches. Our Jacksonville, FL, personal injury lawyers are committed to ensuring that accident victims in Jacksonville and throughout Florida and Georgia receive the compensation they deserve for both visible injuries and the less obvious ones. Call our office today to schedule an appointment, and we can begin preparing your case right away.

Source:

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12221344/