Headrest and Whiplash

Christina Medlin

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When you are involved in a car accident most people suffer from acute to severe whiplash. Whiplash is injury to the spine caused by an abrupt jerking motion, either backward, forward or from the side. The pain associated with whiplash stems from the stretching or tearing of the soft tissue from the head jerking in a particular direction. Vehicles come equipped with headrest in hopes of preventing whiplash. The problem is that most headrests are not adjusted properly to prevent injury.

A new study from Consumer Reports suggests that a properly adjusted headrest can prevent whiplash. "Consumer Reports said the restraints should be at least 29½ inches above the seat cushion. Also, the person in the middle of the read seat should have a headrest - something many cars do not offer." According to Consumer Reports, to work well, the top of the restraint should reach at least as high as the top of your ears and be relatively close--3 inches or less--to the back of your head.

Click here to Read Consumer Reports article on headrest and whiplash.

For more information on this subject matter, please refer to the section on Car and Motorcycle Accidents.