Whiplash neck injury is related to forces the neck is subject to which commonly happens in rear end car crashes

Common symptoms of whiplash injury are neck pain from mild muscle strain or minor tearing of muscles and/or ligaments. In more sever cases, this type of neck injury may include nerve damage, disc damage, and in the most severe cases ruptures of ligaments in the neck and fractures of the neck bones. Minor whiplash neck injuries are usually associated with pain and limited motion of the head and neck. These symptoms are usually temporary, but occasionally they may persist and include headaches, dizziness, and tingling in the arms indicating pain may be more than a minor neck strain or sprain.

When a car is struck from the rear it is accelerated forward which causes the seatback to push against the body and propel it forward while the head lags behind until the neck reaches its structural limit. The head is then suddenly accelerated by the neck like the tip of a whip which is where the term "whiplash" originates. Properly constructed and adjusted head rests (restraints) limit the damage to the neck before the head starts to follow the body.

The neck being thrown back and forth beyond its normal range of motion (distortion) results from sudden movement of the head relative to the body probably explains most whiplash injuries, but experimental and field studies suggest that nerve damage and associated long term symptoms can occur with even mild levels of neck distortion. It is possible that damage to the nerves and the joints is caused by motion of neck bones during a crash or that the nerve damage is caused by sudden changes in spinal fluid pressure from neck distortions. Neck sprains and strains are the most frequently reported injuries in insurance claims.

What are some factors that increase your risk of having a whiplash neck injury in a car accident?

Females are about 2 times more at risk of whiplash neck injury in all types of collisions and are more likely to develop long term symptoms. Fifty five percent of females with whiplash injuries develop long term symptoms compared with about 40 percent of males. Possible reasons are that males have stronger neck muscles than females for about the same size head and females tend to sit farther away from their seats than males which means the head must travel more before reaching the head restraint.

Drivers have a higher risk of whiplash neck injury than passengers possibly because they tend to move forward and away from the seat as they reach for the steering wheel and observe traffic, while passengers are more relaxed and lean further back in their seats, putting the head closer to the restraint. Persons in the rear seats are less likely to sustain neck injuries.

How can the headrest influence whiplash neck injury?

Many people refer to the head restraint as a head rest - a comfort feature, however, head restraints/headrests are installed in vehicles as a safety feature like seat belts. Good head restraints reduce the rearward motion of the head in a rear end crash and decrease the chances of sustaining a whiplash neck injury. In fact, you're more likely to need the protection of a good head restraint than the other safety devices in your vehicle because rear end crashes are so common.

Findings show that head restraints positioned at or above the head's center of gravity can reduce reported neck pain after a whiplash neck injury. Drivers with such restraints reported 40% fewer instances of neck pain than those with poorly positioned restraints.

Having a poorly adjusted head restraint or one that cannot be adjusted properly to the height of your head in your vehicle is a major risk factor for increasing the severity of whiplash neck injury during a rear end collision. This is when the car seat head support can help. View the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Head Restraint Rating to get an idea of how your car's head restraint rates.

Take the time to adjust your head restraint if you have a good one, or use the car seat head support if you do not. This may prevent a lifetime of disability.

Step 1: Adjusting the Height of Your Car Seat Head Restraint: A low car seat head restraint can cause injury as the head pivots over the top in a rear end collision. The first step is ensuring the correct height. Adjust the head restraint up or down until the center of the head restraint at least meets the center of the back of your head or higher.

Step 2: Check for Forward Head: Every inch your head sits forward of the restraint magnifies the force of injury to your neck. In one recent crash test performed by the Center for Research into Automotive Safety and Health, having the head forward by two inches significantly magnifies the force on the head.

The the distance between your head and the head restraint (backset) should not be more than 4 finger breaths. If you can’t get your head that close, then consider the Car Seat Head Support as an add-on to your headrest for proper comfort and protection

If a head restraint isn't behind and close to the back of an occupant's head, it can't prevent a "whiplash" injury in a rear-end collision. Institute researchers regularly evaluate the geometry of head restraints in passenger vehicles based on the height and backset relative to an average-size male. A restraint should be at least as high as the head's center of gravity, or about 9 centimeters (3.5 inches) below the top of the head. The backset, or distance behind the head, should be as small as possible. Backsets of more than 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) have been associated with increased symptoms of neck injury in crashes. For more see the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Review

The car seat head support places the headrest close enough to the back of your head, which is where it needs to be to provide protection in rear end crashes. Especially poor designs are adjustable restraints that, in their lowest positions, couldn’t protect most people and, at maximum height, still aren’t high enough for many people. Some of these poorly designed restraints don’t even lock in the full vertical, or up, position so even when they’re adjusted, they can be pushed down in a crash.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) told automakers the head restraints in their passenger vehicles will have to extend higher and fit closer to the backs of people’s heads. For the first time, the new standard addresses the backset. Head restraints will have to be within about 2 inches behind the head. Unfortunately, it is not effective untill the beginning of 2009. Fortunately, there are some products which can help protect you now!

Learn to Reduce Risk: While at a stop, having your head or body turned during a collision can increase your chances of a significant injury. Keep your eyes on the road and your head straight. If you know you’re going to get hit, then reduce the distance between your head and the head restraint (backset) by moving your head back. The car neck pillow reduces the backset distance and increases your level of safety.

Crashes involving whiplash neck injuries happen at lightning-fast speeds, but if you have time to prepare: Put your head and your neck all the way back so that you're in contact with the seat back and the properly adjusted head restraint. Straight-arm the steering wheel and get a good grip. If you are stopped, put your foot on the brake as hard as you can. Look straight ahead, not in the rearview mirror - don't have your head turned at all. Put your neck back slightly so your eyes are looking level up at about the top of the windshield. Scrunch your shoulders up toward your ears and then brace.

More about whiplash as it relates to specific neck problems in the article; whiplash and neck pain.