How Untreated Neck Injuries After Concussion Lead to Years of Headaches

Omaha’s Best Sports Chiropractor

Headaches that persist after a CONCUSSION are often blamed on “brain healing,” but in many cases the real driver is biomechanical dysfunction in the cervical spine. When the neck is injured, several changes occur that directly contribute to chronic head pain:

1. Loss of normal cervical curve
Impact can force the neck into a straighter or even reversed curve. This increases mechanical stress on the spinal cord and nerves, often triggering headaches.

2. Muscle tension and guarding
Injured tissues cause the deep stabilizing muscles to weaken while surface muscles tighten. This imbalance pulls the head forward into forward head posture, creating constant strain on the upper neck and base of the skull.

3. Irritated joints and nerves
The upper cervical joints (C0-C2) are highly sensitive and intimately involved in headache pathways. Even small misalignments can irritate these structures.

4. Reduced blood flow and nerve communication
Biomechanical issues disrupt normal nerve function and vascular flow from the neck to the head, contributing to throbbing or pressure-type headaches.

When these issues are left untreated, the body adapts in unhealthy ways. Patients often develop chronic migraines, tension headaches, or daily headaches that persist for years—even when brain scans are “normal.”

At Green Chiropractic, we specialize in identifying these overlooked structural problems. Through advanced postural imaging, chiropractic evaluation, and targeted corrective care, we help patients restore proper alignment and reduce the mechanical stress that drives headaches long after the concussion.

If your headaches never fully went away, it may not be your brain—it may be your neck.