The Headrest in Your Car... It's Not for Comfort!
What is commonly referred to as the headrest in a car is actually a head restraint. It’s purpose is to stop your head from moving in the backward direction when you are in an auto accident. The head restraint should be pulled up high enough so that the top of it is at least above the middle of your head. The best fit is one which reaches the top of your head. This is because in a rear end collision your head will ramp up and then back. If your head restraint is too low it will act as a fulcrum and as your head extends back over the head restraint it will increase the extension (rearward movement) of your head. A properly positioned head restraint will only allow minimal rearward movement thereby minimizing your injury.
Next time you get into your car lift the head restraint up so that the top of it is at the top of your head, or as close to that as you can get it. Also, when you are a passenger in someone else’s vehicle take the moment before you buckle up to quickly adjust the head restraint. You will quickly realize that not all head restraints are made the same. There are many manufacturers whose seats are not able to lift up sufficiently to accommodate taller people. For now you will have to make due with what you have, but next time you are in the market for a new car I suggest you check out the head restraints in the cars you are looking at. They are as important as airbags and other safety systems. You can check out various safety ratings at www.highwaysafety.org
All auto accidents cause a trauma to the body, particularly the spine. Even slow speed impacts have the potential to lead to significant health problems. So, regardless of the damage done to your vehicle, or how minor you think your symptoms are it is always a great idea to get a proper spinal exam following any type of trauma to assess whether an injury occurred.
4 Out of 5 Child Car Seats Are Used Incorrectly
Fortunately there are certified Car Seat Experts who can help you to choose a car seat to fit your needs and to help you install it properly. I recommend that you have your child’s car seat installed by a certified car seat expert. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration trains people to install seats correctly. The CHP usually has a trained officer. I also recommend that you put a seat into each vehicle you use to transport your child and leave it there to avoid inadvertently reinstalling it incorrectly when moving it.
Danger of Flying Objects
If you should happen to be involved in an automobile accident items that are in your car can pose a serious threat to you. Anything that is unrestrained can and will fly around during impact. Heavy objects such as non-seat belted passengers, dogs, and boxes can be lethal even in a low impact crash. The weight of the object and the speed of the crash can cause the object to strike you at a seriously high velocity. It is important that you also realize that smaller objects like your children’s toys or groceries can cause serious injury as well. If it’s heavier than a small book or has sharp edges play it safe and find a way to restrain it.
Kids and Their Backpacks
Studies show that heavy backpacks can lead to both back pain and poor posture in school children underscore the need for parents to educate their children on the proper use of backpacks.
The first study, published in the May 2003 issue of the journal, Spine, found that the uses of backpacks during the school day –and the weights of the backpacks are associated with back pain. A second study, presented by researcher Dr. Heidi Orloff at a May 28 meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, concluded that children actually hunch their bodies forward and lower their heads to accommodate the burden of wearing heavy backpacks.
The ACA offers the following tips to help prevent the needless pain that backpack misuse could cause the students in your household:
- The backpack should weight no more than 10% of a child’s bodyweight.
- The backpack should never hang more than 4 inches below the waistline.
- A backpack with individualized compartments helps in positioning the contents most effectively.
Your Pillow and Your Health
A good pillow provides your head and neck with proper support while you sleep. It helps to maintain normal alignment of your spine and allows the muscles in your neck to relax. A bad choice in pillows can cause you to spend excessive amounts of time in a bad position causing you discomfort and potentially leading to permanent structural changes which can negatively affect your health.
Many people realize that a cervical pillow provides you with better support than a typical pillow. However, not all cervical pillows are the same and one size does not fit all. I recommend one particular brand of cervical pillow in my office which comes in various sizes to suit most patients young and old, small and large. To determine how good your current pillow is lie on your side and see if your head dips down toward the bed or angles up away from it. It shouldn’t do either; your head and spine should be in a straight line. Following is a test which will help you determine if your pillow is doing its job. If you answer yes to any of these questions I would recommend contacting me to get a pillow that is better suited to your size. Of all the patients I have had switch to the cervical pillow I supply in my office not one was willing to go back to their old pillow because they love the new one so much.
Could a Cervical Support Pillow Help You?
Take this easy test:
- Do you feel pain or stiffness in your neck, back, arm or shoulder when you wake up?
- Do you get frequent tension headaches?
- Do you suffer from arthritis?
- Have you been in a whiplash accident, or have you had any prior injuries to your neck, shoulder or back?
- Do you weigh more than is recommended for your height and build?
- Do your hands or arms frequently “fall asleep” during the night?
- Do you toss and turn throughout the night, trying to get comfortable?
- Do you clench or grind your teeth while sleeping?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions you could benefit from a cervical support pillow.
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