From the Guidelines

Post-traumatic headache is likely caused by a combination of factors, including physical trauma, stress, and individual susceptibility.

Physical trauma, such as a head injury, can trigger post-traumatic headache [ 1 ]
Stress and emotional factors may also contribute to the development of post-traumatic headache
Individual susceptibility, including genetic predisposition and underlying medical conditions, may play a role in the development of post-traumatic headache

The exact pathophysiology of post-traumatic headache is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve changes in brain chemistry and function [ 1 ]
Trauma can cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels, leading to headache [ 1 ]
Stress and emotional factors can also affect brain chemistry and contribute to headache

Treatment for post-traumatic headache typically involves a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions [ 1 ]
Pharmacological options may include pain relievers, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and preventive medications, such as topiramate or valproate [ 1 ]
Non-pharmacological interventions, such as physical therapy, exercise, and stress management, may also be helpful in managing post-traumatic headache [ 1 ]

From the Research

Post-traumatic headache (PTH) is a common and debilitating consequence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can occur over one year after the head impact event 2.
The main risk factors for PTHs include a history of migraines or headaches, female gender, younger age, greater severity of the head injury, and co-occurring psychological symptoms, such as anxiety and depression 2.
PTH may be considered a secondary headache, which is linked to severe disability and psychosocial impairment, and is often associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 3.
Static/dynamic functional connectivity differences, white matter tract abnormalities, and morphology changes were found between PTH and migraine in brain regions involved in pain processing 3.
The predictors for persistent acute traumatic injury to the head were female gender, persistent symptoms related to mild post-traumatic brain injury (mTBI), PTSD, elevated inflammatory markers, prior mild traumatic brain injury, being injured while suffering from alcohol abuse 3.

The pathophysiology of PTH is not fully understood, but it is thought to involve structural, functional, metabolic, and neuroinflammatory mechanisms 4.
Pre-clinical animal studies and human imaging studies have implicated these mechanisms in the development of PTH 4.
The relation between migraine and PTH needs to be considered bidirectionally, but PTSD may play a critical role in this relation 3.

PTH clinical profiles vary based on onset, duration, and severity, and can include tension-type headache, migraine headaches, cervicogenic headache, occipital neuralgia, and new daily persistent headache 2.
The most common clinical presentations of PTH are migraine-like or tension type (TTH)-like headache, neck pain, cognitive complaints, and psychological/psychiatric symptoms 5.
PTH often resolves within the first few days of onset, whereas it persists for at least 3 months in 30-50% of cases 4.