Where you sit affects extent of whiplash

When you get in the car, either as a passenger or driver, you most likely buckle up – but how many of you check to see where the level of the headrest is? Do you know where it should be? Whiplash is a very painful result of having your head pitch forward and back again in a violent manner. Although many people heal, others end up living with chronic pain or with some lasting effects of the whiplash.

The head rest should be 2 inches or less from the rear of your head.; any more than 4 inches, there is too much room for your head to snap back.

Each time you get into a car, you should adjust the height of the head rest so it’s right behind your head – about the same level as your ears. If it’s at neck level, it’s too low.

That being said, now there’s evidence that women are more vulnerable to  getting whiplash because of where they sit – in fact, the have a 3 times higher risk of getting whiplash. According to the article, Sitting Position Can Influence Risk Of Whiplash, women position their seat closer to the steering wheel and sit up straighter than do me. Apparently, this affects how much room the head has to snap back in case of a collision. Look at the photo (Image: Newscom); look at the distance between the driver’s head and the back of the seat.

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