What are the long term health effects of whiplash for residents in Clifton, NJ? We’re glad you asked. Getting into an accident is one of those terrible experiences none of us wish to go through. But sooner or later, most of us do. When that happens, getting whiplash is notably the most common side effect.

If it happens to you - do consider treatment. As you’ll see here, it’s a common but serious injury. At the Chiropractic Center of Styertowne, you’ve got a helping hand to get you past your injuries.

• Call Dr. Lou today at (973) 777-6995...make an appointment or just ask him your questions.

You Survive The Crash

When your car slams into an obstacle, it stops and your body continues to move in the direction your were traveling at the speed you were going. That means your most flexible part - your neck joints - are moving very fast. This speed is multiplied by the the weight of your head. It pulls the joints down in a chain reaction that begins with the jolt of collision.

The Physics of Whiplash

Imagine the motion your body makes when throwing a baseball. Your arm becomes a fluid whip, generating incredible speed and power as you bring energy from your entire body to cock your arm back and propel it forward, launching the ball.

It’s the same way people get force in martial arts and boxing.

The problem is it’s also the way you generate force during a crash; the target isn’t a pitcher’s mound or somebody’s chin - but your own neck. As the force of the impact drives your entire body to move, it takes your head forward or back. The resulting motion descends into your cervical vertebrae creating an acute arch that can momentarily pummel your bones, and always stretches or lacerates their surrounding soft tissue.

Your Spinal Cord

But that’s not all. It would be enough if the painful phenomenon whiplash remained in your soft tissue. Rather, in bad cases it extends to your spinal cord and perhaps even the blood that flows into your brain.

First, ALL of your spinal cord runs through your neck. As it descends into your back, the cord passes off more of its function, running off into branches that exit through your vertebrae. By the time you get to the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebra, the cord has morphed into the form of a horse tail - the cauda equina.

Concussion, It’s from Your Neck

An injury to the pelvis and coccyx bone is therefore less imperative than an injury to your neck - even an injury in which no external object hit you. The damage from movement alone is enough to leave you with soft tissue lacerations, inflammation and headaches.

Hard whiplash can even cause a concussion, which is when your brain impacts your inner skull. In such a case, it’s important that you get a medical check up, so you’ll be sure that everything is alright. It probably will be…but multiple concussions back to back can be fatal. It’s important that you know what you’ve had.

If you feel dizzy, nauseous or stiff-necked, you have a high likelihood of recovery if you seek both initial and follow-up medical treatment.

Dr. Lou can help you. Call today at (973) 777-6995.