HEAD REST POSITION AND MOTOR VEHICLE COLLISIONS
Head rest position plays an important role in reducing neck injury during a motor vehicle collision. When a head rest is too low or too far behind the head, it may not adequately support the neck during a rear-end impact. This can allow excessive motion between the head and torso, contributing to strain of the cervical spine and surrounding soft tissues, commonly associated with whiplash injuries. Symptoms may include neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and shoulder discomfort. Chiropractic and manual therapies focus on improving joint mobility, reducing muscle tension, and supporting healthy cervical alignment to decrease stress on injured tissues.
Key Insight:
Proper head rest alignment may help limit excessive neck motion during a collision and reduce injury risk.
Contact us if you’d like to explore conservative, personalized care options for neck pain following a motor vehicle collision.
Contact Us:
Dr. Peter Britton, DC & Dr. Alyssa Lenox, DC
1111 N. Northgate Way
Seattle, WA 98133
Phone: 206-523-2225
Appointments can be made on our website: https://intouchwithhealthseattle.com/home
Sources:
Farmer CM, Wells JK, Lund AK. Effects of head restraint positioning on neck injury in rear-end crashes. Accid Anal Prev. 1999;31(6):719–728.
Stemper BD, Yoganandan N, Pintar FA. Effects of head restraint geometry on head–neck kinematics in rear impacts. Traffic Inj Prev. 2005;6(1):1–8.
