RAISE THAT CAR HEADREST TO PREVENT WHIPLASH
As Americans take to the highways for their summer vacations, the American
Chiropractic Association warns that most auto headrests and seat belts are misused. Although
automotive safety regulations require headrests and seat belts, reliable studies show that
many of the estimated 20 million car accident victims in North America suffering whiplash
injuries could prevent that injury if their headrests are positioned properly.
Victims who feel pain or discomfort immediately after an accident often seek out chiropractic
care, but there are other cases where the cervical damage done by the thrust is not noticed for
some time. This is not unusual, as sometimes symptoms may not present themselves until as much
as two years after the trauma has occurred. And in some cases, the effects may be felt in some
other body area than the neck region.
The American Chiropractic Association cites studies which show that 74 percent to 90 percent of
drivers have their car headrests set too low to be protective. In some cases, headrests are set
so low that they exacerbate the problem. The sudden force of an accident whiplashes the head,
often causing nerve, tissue and vertebrae damage in the neck. Sometimes even a fast start or
stop, or a simple rear-end tap, can cause a whiplash injury.
Should you be involved in an auto accident, it is wise to have a health examination to make
certain you have not suffered whiplash or some other structural injury.
IF INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, DO NOT NEGLECT HAVING A STRUCTURAL EXAMINATION
The Correct Position For A Headrest
Is Even With The Head.
Most people never bother to adjust the headrest. They just leave it the way it came when they bought the car.
The correct position for a headrest is even with the head and no more than two inches behind the
center of the back of the head. If the headrest is too low (behind the neck), the force of an
accident could bend the head back over the headrest, causing serious injury to the cervical
(neck) area.
Occupants of a car should not recline their seats while the car is in motion because it
increases the distance between the head and the restraint, and in addition, puts the occupant
in a more hazardous position should an accident occur.
Unfortunately, safety devices offered in most cars, while adjustable, are not fully adaptable
to the varying heights of occupants. Many car seat head restraints don't extend high enough
for a tall person or far enough forward to really offer the support required in an accident.
With many models of cars, safety has been given up for style. The owner of an auto cannot be
expected to reconstruct the seats, but he or she should be more aware of the safety devices,
try to adjust or correct them, and then use them for the purpose they were designed.
WHIPLASH-INDUCED CONDITIONS RESPOND EFFECTIVELY TO CHIROPRACTIC PROCEDURE
This information is brought to you as a service of the American Chiropractic Association
and
Tri-County Chiropractic Association.
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