5.4 Persistent headache attributed to whiplash

Description:

Headache of more than 3 months’ duration caused by whiplash.

Diagnostic criteria:
  1. Any headache fulfilling criteria C and D
  2. Whiplash1, associated at the time with neck pain and/or headache, has occurred
  3. Headache developed within 7 days after the whiplash
  4. Headache persists for >3 months after its onset
  5. Not better accounted for by another ICHD-3 diagnosis2.
Notes:
  1. Whiplash is defined as sudden and inadequately restrained acceleration/deceleration movements of the head with flexion/extension of the neck. Whiplash may occur after either high or low impact forces.
  2. When headache following whiplash becomes persistent, the possibility of 8.2 Medication-overuse headache needs to be considered.