Neck-Related Headache vs. Migraine: How to Tell the Difference After a Car Accident or Concussion

Neck-Related Headache vs. Migraine: How to Tell the Difference After a Car Accident or Concussion

Not all headaches are the same — and if you've had a car accident, concussion, or whiplash injury, your pain might be coming from your neck, not your brain.

At our Kansas City auto injury clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC helps patients get the right diagnosis and treatment by identifying whether their headaches are cervicogenic (neck-related) or true migraines — because treatment strategies are very different for each.

Why This Matters: Migraine Treatment Won’t Fix a Neck Headache

If your headaches haven’t responded to rest, medications, or migraine protocols — and you also have neck stiffness, pain with movement, or headaches that start at the base of your skull — you might be misdiagnosed.

Many patients we see from Overland Park, Lee’s Summit, and North Kansas City have been treated for migraines, but actually have cervicogenic headaches caused by irritated joints and muscles in the upper cervical spine (C1–C3).

Why Cervical Headaches Are Common After Concussion or Car Accidents

Even without direct impact, the force of a car crash or fall can cause:

• Whiplash to the upper cervical spine

• Irritation of the facet joints (especially C2–C3)

• Strain in the suboccipital muscles and SCM

• Reflex dysfunction (COR and VOR mismatch)

• Poor posture and compensatory tension

These changes send pain signals to the head — often mimicking migraine, but with clear musculoskeletal causes.

How We Diagnose and Treat Cervicogenic Headaches in Kansas City

At our clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC performs a detailed evaluation including:

✅ Cervical joint palpation and mobility testing
✅ Muscle tension and trigger point assessment
✅ Headache reproduction with neck movement or compression
✅ Visual and vestibular integration tests
✅ Posture and screen-use analysis

If the source is your neck, we use:

• Manual therapy and mobilization of the C1–C3 region

• Trigger point release of suboccipitals and upper traps

• Neck-eye coordination drills to restore reflex balance

• Proprioceptive retraining and posture correction

• Vestibular and visual rehab if needed

Stop Treating the Wrong Headache

If you’ve been diagnosed with migraines — but your headaches started after a car crash, involve neck pain, or don’t improve with medication — you may be dealing with a cervicogenic headache that needs a different approach.

At our Kansas City clinic, Dr. Lance Stevenson, DC helps patients from Blue Springs, Gladstone, The Plaza, Shawnee, and surrounding areas finally get relief by identifying the real cause of their pain.

Call 816-226-7476 today to schedule a full post-concussion or neck evaluation and find out what’s really behind your headaches.

Special thanks to Complete Concussions for their training and educational resources. To learn more about comprehensive concussion treatment options, visit completeconcussions.com.

Disclaimer:

This blog is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical advice. If you have experienced a concussion or other injury, please consult a qualified healthcare provider. Always follow the advice and treatment plan given by your medical professional.

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