Why Do I Still Have Headaches After a Concussion?
Headaches are one of the most frustrating symptoms of concussion.
You may have expected your headache to disappear within days or weeks.
Instead, months later, you may still be dealing with:
Daily headaches
Headaches after exercise
Headaches after looking at a screen
Pressure around your head
Migraine-like headaches
Neck-related headaches
Headaches triggered by light or noise
Headaches that worsen as the day goes on
If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering:
Why am I still getting headaches months after my concussion?
Persistent headaches are common among people with post-concussion symptoms, and the pattern can vary considerably from person to person.
One important point is that there isn't necessarily one cause of post-concussion headaches.
What Causes Headaches After a Concussion?
A concussion can affect several systems that may contribute to headaches.
These can include:
The neck
The visual system
The vestibular system
Exercise tolerance
Sleep
Sensory sensitivity
Migraine-related mechanisms
Stress and cognitive overload
This means that treating the headache alone may not address everything contributing to it.
Can a Neck Injury Cause Headaches After a Concussion?
Yes.
A concussion can occur along with a neck injury.
The muscles and joints of the neck provide sensory information to the brain and can also contribute to headache symptoms when irritated or not functioning normally.
You may notice that your headache is worse when:
Turning your head
Looking down
Sitting at your computer
Driving
Holding one position for a long time
Moving your neck
If neck symptoms are contributing to your headaches, addressing the neck may be an important part of rehabilitation.
Why Does Exercise Give Me a Headache?
If exercise triggers a headache, several factors may be involved.
Your heart rate and blood pressure change during exercise.
Your neck moves.
Your vestibular system processes movement.
Your visual system processes your environment.
Your overall physical and cognitive demands increase.
If one of these systems is not tolerating the increased demand, a headache may appear.
This is one reason exercise intolerance can be an important part of persistent concussion symptoms.
Related article: Why Does Exercise Make My Concussion Symptoms Worse?
Why Does Looking at a Screen Give Me a Headache?
If your headaches appear after computer work, phone use, reading, or watching television, your visual system may be contributing.
You may also notice:
Eye strain
Blurry vision
Difficulty focusing
Dizziness
Nausea
Light sensitivity
Increased brain fog
The headache may be the final symptom you notice, but the trigger could involve visual or cognitive overload.
Related article: How Much Screen Time After Concussion?
Can Dizziness and Headaches Be Connected?
Yes.
Your vestibular and visual systems work closely with your brain's processing systems.
If movement or visual information is difficult to process, it may contribute to dizziness, nausea, eye strain, and headache.
This is one reason it can be helpful to consider the entire symptom pattern rather than treating the headache as an isolated problem.
Related article: Why Am I Still Dizzy After a Concussion?
Why Are My Headaches Worse at the End of the Day?
You may start your day feeling relatively good and then notice your headache gradually building.
This may happen because demands accumulate throughout the day.
You may spend hours:
Looking at screens
Reading
Talking
Driving
Exercising
Working
Managing noise
Processing visual information
If your current tolerance is lower than it was before your concussion, the cumulative effect may eventually trigger symptoms.
This is one reason pacing can be an important part of concussion rehabilitation.
Related Article: Why Do I Have Brain Fog After a Concussion?
What Is a Post-Traumatic Headache?
A post-traumatic headache is a headache that develops following a head or neck injury.
Post-traumatic headaches can resemble different types of headaches, including migraine-like or tension-type headaches.
Because headache patterns can vary, the appropriate evaluation and treatment can also vary.
If your headaches are persistent, severe, changing, or interfering with your daily life, it's important to discuss them with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Why Isn't Taking Pain Medication Enough?
Medication may be appropriate for some people, depending on the type of headache and individual medical circumstances.
But medication doesn't necessarily address every factor that may be contributing to a post-concussion headache.
If your headache is consistently triggered by exercise, screen use, neck movement, poor sleep, or sensory overload, identifying and addressing those triggers may also be important.
Your healthcare professional can help determine the appropriate treatment approach.
What Can I Do About Persistent Concussion Headaches?
Start by paying attention to the pattern.
Ask:
When does my headache occur?
What makes it worse?
Does exercise trigger it?
Does screen time trigger it?
Does neck movement affect it?
Does dizziness occur at the same time?
Is it worse when I'm tired?
These details can help identify potential contributors.
Depending on your symptoms, rehabilitation may include exercise progression, vestibular strategies, visual exercises, neck treatment, pacing, sleep strategies, and other individualized approaches.
How The Concussion Solution Addresses Headache Triggers
The Concussion Solution takes a broader approach to persistent concussion symptoms.
Rather than focusing exclusively on headaches, the program addresses several systems that may contribute to the overall symptom picture.
This includes:
Exercise progression
Autonomic regulation
Vestibular strategies
Visual and cognitive exercises
Neck mobility and headache strategies
Sleep
Pacing
Relaxation and meditation
The goal is to help you better understand what may be contributing to your symptoms and give you a structured approach for working on them.
Learn More About The Concussion Solution
Don't Just Chase the Headache
If your headache keeps returning, it may be worth looking beyond the headache itself.
What triggers it?
What makes it better?
What other symptoms occur at the same time?
Dizziness?
Brain fog?
Visual sensitivity?
Neck pain?
Exercise intolerance?
Sleep problems?
These symptoms may be interconnected.
Understanding the bigger picture can be an important part of concussion rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Headaches After Concussion
How long can headaches last after a concussion?
Headaches can persist for weeks or months in some people with persistent post-concussion symptoms. The pattern varies from person to person.
Why won't my concussion headaches go away?
Persistent headaches can have multiple contributors, including migraine-like mechanisms, neck problems, visual demands, exercise intolerance, sleep issues, and sensory sensitivity.
Can a concussion cause migraines?
Some post-traumatic headaches can resemble migraines, including symptoms such as light sensitivity, nausea, and throbbing pain. A healthcare professional can help determine the type of headache you are experiencing.
Can neck problems cause headaches after a concussion?
Yes. Neck injury or dysfunction can contribute to headache symptoms following a concussion or other head injury.
Why does exercise trigger my concussion headache?
Exercise increases physical demands and may expose problems with exercise tolerance, autonomic regulation, the neck, vestibular system, or other contributors.
When should I see a doctor about a concussion headache?
Persistent headaches should be evaluated, especially if they interfere with daily activities or are changing or worsening. A sudden, severe headache or headache accompanied by concerning neurological symptoms requires prompt medical evaluation.
If you want a structured, step-by-step approach to recovery, you can learn more below.
