Understanding the Connection Between Concussions and Neck Pain
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Neck injuries are not usually the first thing people think about after a concussion, but neck pain is a common problem. These injuries can make your recovery more difficult and might cause long-term issues.
A concussion is a type of head injury that can affect your brain, but why does it cause neck pain, too?
Concussions occur when your head hits something or experiences a force that makes your brain move and bounce inside your skull. While it's common to have short-term brain-related symptoms, neck pain often accompanies these injuries.
In this guide, you'll find out why concussions can cause neck pain, when to be concerned, and how to get help.
What are the causes of neck pain after a concussion?
A concussion is a type of brain injury that happens when your head and neck are suddenly jolted. This can happen during a car accident, a sports incident, or a sudden impact.
Head and neck pain after a concussion is often due to something called whiplash. When your head and neck move violently, your brain can bounce inside your skull, hitting the sides.
How quickly you recover from a concussion depends on how bad the injury was. People who get concussions from sports often get back to their normal activities in about two weeks.
However, about one-third of people with concussions have symptoms that last longer. Experts say neck injuries during a concussion are often overlooked.
A study from 2023 found that 43–60% of people with concussions experienced neck pain afterward. Between 20% and 30% had trouble moving their neck, and about half had one or the other.
There are several ways a concussion can cause neck pain. Your cervical spine, which is the part of your spine in your neck, consists of seven bones cushioned by discs that absorb shock. This area also has many muscles and ligaments that help you move your neck, support your head, and stabilize your spine.
After a concussion, neck pain or trouble moving your neck can happen for several reasons:
- Injury to the bones in your neck (cervical spine)
- Damage to the discs between these bones
- Weak or damaged neck muscles
- Sprained ligaments or strained muscles in your neck
- Age-related wear and tear in your spine
- Poor posture
Neck pain that starts right after a concussion or later on can be a sign of a more severe injury that might take longer to heal.
People who get a concussion from a fall or car accident are more likely to have neck pain than those who get a concussion from playing sports.
What Is the Connection Between Concussion and Neck Pain?
People often experience both a concussion and neck pain at the same time. When you get a concussion, the upper part of your spine usually gets the most damage. The weight of your head affects the top two bones in your neck, called the C1 and C2 vertebrae, which can move out of place. These bones are right below your skull, and if you hurt your head, it can cause these bones to misalign. This misalignment adds pressure to your neck muscles, causing pain.
Easy Strategies to Prevent Concussions
It's always wise to be extra careful, especially when doing things that could make you fall or hurt. Here are some simple tips to help you avoid concussions, whether you're playing sports, doing physical activities, or just being cautious:
- Wear seatbelts when you're in the car.
- Use helmets that fit well when biking, skating, horseback riding, or similar activities.
- Wear the proper protective gear when playing sports, especially for your head.
- Install handrails, grab bars, and safety gates around your home.
- Use non-slip mats in the bathroom and other areas that can get wet and slippery.
- Put non-slip strips on stairs.
- Improve lighting in dark areas to avoid tripping or falling.
- Avoid using wobbly chairs or ladders that could make you lose your balance and fall.
Upper Cervical Care for Neck Pain and Concussion
Uneven weight distribution can cause various health problems. For example, if a head injury causes your head to be off-center, it disrupts the balance of your spine, shoulders, and hips. This imbalance starts with the misalignment of the bones in your upper neck, which can affect your brain function and blood flow.
Upper cervical chiropractor, Dr. Berner going over x-rays with a patient.
Upper cervical chiropractors use safe and gentle methods to treat concussions and neck pain in both adults and children. First, they adjust to help the prominent bones in your neck move back into place. Once this misalignment is fixed, your body will begin to recover, and you'll feel relief from post-concussion symptoms.
If you've recently had a fall or head injury and suspect a concussion, find an upper cervical chiropractor who specializes in correcting misalignments of your C1 and C2 vertebrae. Don't wait for your symptoms to worsen—set up an appointment with a doctor immediately by clicking this link.
Disclaimer:
Dr. Berner does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any medical diseases or conditions; instead, he analyzes and corrects the structure of his patients with Foundational Corrections to improve their overall quality of life. He works with their physicians, who regulate their medications. This blog post is not designed to provide medical advice, professional diagnosis, opinion, treatment, or services to you or any other individual. The information provided in this post or through linkages to other sites is not a substitute for medical or professional care. You should not use the information in place of a visit, consultation, or the advice of your physician or another healthcare provider. Foundation Chiropractic and Dr. Brett Berner are not liable or responsible for any advice, the course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other information, services, or products you obtain through this article or others.
