01/27/2026
Whiplash Injuries from Motor Vehicle Collisions
Whiplash affects the spine, tendons, muscles and ligaments of the neck and upper back regions following a MVC. Whiplash actually happens within .8 milliseconds of impact. A MVC is a physics equation that measures the amount of Force and Kinetic Energy and the change in direction of that Energy. Force is created from the mass of one or more vehicles and the velocity of each vehicle it travels at and the Change of Force between each vehicle. (F=Mass x Acceleration). That Force or Kinetic Energy is transmitted through each vehicle and the occupants. The foremost authority on whiplash is Dr. Arthur Croft, Chiropractor. He had to do a reconstruction of a MVC in which the occupant of one vehicle was injured while stopped and the opposing vehicle rear-ended them at a 7mph. He put a grid behind the one vehicle that was at a complete stop to measure occupant movement and had a track that the other vehicle was on. They got the opposing car traveling at 7mp and measured the Forces of impact using the equation above. The occupant of the vehicle that was at rest had 12G's of Force that traveled through the vehicle and them. When they slowed down the film with the grid behind the occupant of the stationary vehicle, you could see the person's neck ramp up and go into hyperextension within the .8 milliseconds. The occupant was a researcher, she actually recieve a disc herniation in the experiment. Just for reference, a fighter jet at take off registers about 9-10 G's worth of Force. Whiplash causes damage to the spine of the ligaments and muscles, and alters the motion of the spine. If you do not treat the areas affected and you allow it to just heal and wait for the pain to go away. In a matter of 2-3 years you can begin to see degenerative changes to the spine where the injury occurred. You need to restore the motion and function of those damaged joints in order to reduce the degenerative process from occurring. Chiropractic care is the best solution.
If you have been involved in a MVC, stop in and have Dr. John check you out and get ou back to your pre-injury state.
