All cars and trucks come equipped standard with head restraints. Most of us don’t give them a second thought. We get in, we adjust the seat position, the seat belt, the mirrors and of we go. But what about the head restraint, often referred to simply as the headrest?
Head restraints are there not only as a rest for comfort but to prevent whiplash in case of an impact resulting from an accident so that your body alone does not have to try and absorb the impact. Left on its own the human neck is not built to take a jolt that results from a sudden quick stop, especially when the body is being held firmly in place.
Whiplash is the number one injury that results from auto accidents in the United States. Over $29,000,000,000 annually is spent treating whiplash pain in America alone. Whiplash most often results from a rear end collision though sideways whiplash has been known to occur in a small percentage of cases where the car or truck is hit at an angle, spinning the vehicle as well.
Here is what you need to know to help prevent and protect yourself from whiplash injury.
The key to protection is the proper adjustment of your in auto head restraint. Studies have shown that only 10% of us adjust the restraint properly. That leaves the majority of us at risk.
What Causes Whiplash?
Whiplash occurs at the point of impact when your torso is moving forward in one direction, while your head moves backward, in another. The ligaments in your neck sustain what is equal to hundreds of pounds of force during this motion.
How the Head Restraint Helps
What the restraint does is to eliminate the space in which your head can move if hit. This results in a reduced strain on your neck should a crash happen.
To properly adjust the headrest – here are the steps
1. Set head restraint height to where the back of your head is at the center of the restraint.
2. Position your seat back so that your head restraint is within 2-1/2” off of the back of your head.
If you have already been in a crash, don’t wait to get medical treatment. In the state of Florida, the law on PIP (Personal Injury Protection) within your auto insurance only allows for 13 days. After that, your resulting medical bills will not be covered.
Call the office of Dr. Jason Kaster, D.C. today at 239-332-2555. Serving Fort Myers, Florida and the surrounding areas.
Chiropractor & Nutritionist in Fort Myers, FL.
Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent them before they start?
Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor, and nutritionist in Fort Myers can help you and your family achieve their optimal health.