Mercer Times

The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) illuminated the exteriors of the Brower Student Center and Trenton Hall in teal on October 25 to raise awareness for Occipital Neuralgia (ON). This chronic nerve pain condition is often linked to concussions or whiplash injuries. For Matt Smock, a management major at TCNJ, the cause is personal.

Smock's sister experienced a life-altering softball injury as a child, leading to years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatments for her head pain. "When she was 13, my sister Kayla collided with a teammate and sustained a head injury," Smock explained. The journey involved traveling across seven states and consulting over 50 specialists before identifying that compressed nerves were causing her symptoms. This struggle inspired Kayla to establish the first nonprofit organization dedicated to ON.

Smock highlighted the importance of awareness among students engaged in athletics and physical activities, noting that ON is frequently mistaken for other conditions like post-concussion syndrome or migraines. "Students need to be aware that if symptoms persist, it could be ON," he said.

In addition to TCNJ's efforts, nearly 70 landmarks worldwide are participating in this awareness campaign by lighting up in teal. These include Niagara Falls, One World Trade Center, and several National Football League stadiums such as those belonging to the Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots, and Baltimore Ravens. "We made an extra effort to encourage NFL stadiums to participate," Smock stated.

He emphasized the significance of timely diagnosis for better treatment outcomes: "Patients who receive a diagnosis in a timely manner experience better results from appropriate treatments." By increasing awareness about ON, Smock hopes to build a supportive community dedicated to achieving quick and lasting relief for sufferers.