The Pains in Positioning

Recovery time after a motor vehicle accident (MVA) can range from weeks to years. The severity of your injuries is often determined in the fraction of a second the crash takes place. Studies show that your body’s position at impact has a huge influence on the outcome. At Chambers Medical Group, this is a question I ask during every patient exam. While those details can be a blur for those who have been through a crash, knowing why this information is so important could change your actions if you are ever in that circumstance again. I am Dr. Aaron Workman, a team member of one of the highest rated car accident medical doctor car clinics in Kentucky, and I will explain four positions that matter at the moment of impact.

1. Looking Straight Ahead
   A neutral or slightly extended head position, with the eyes forward is ideal. This posture keeps the natural curve of the neck intact, allowing the spine to act as a “shock absorber” that absorbs impact forces more efficiently. This prevents the force from slamming directly into the discs and joints. Crash test simulations confirm that facing forward and having the back of the head in contact with the headrest significantly lowers the stress placed on the spine.

2. Chin Tucked or Head Down
   Whether looking at an electronic device or bracing for impact, having your chin tucked or head down is going to lead to more pain. When the head is flexed forward, the protective natural curve of the neck is lost. This position allows the force of impact to go directly into your vertebrae compressing them like a hammer driving a nail. This can be linked to higher rates of disc and joint injuries in rear end collisions.

3. Head Rotated
   A turned head is likely to cause significant pain after a car accident. It is common for people to check a side mirror, look at a phone, or watch a child in the back seat while stopped at a light. I see many accidents where the patient was sitting in traffic, or at a red light, and was rear-ended while in this exact posture. This position pre-loads the ligaments and joints on one side of your neck. When you add a rear impact to that position, the neck has nowhere left to go. This restricted motion often results in more ligament tears and lasting neck pain compared to an impact in a neutral position.

4. Head Off the Headrest
   If you have your head forward off the headrest, then the headrest cannot stop a sudden hyperextension that will occur during a rear end crash. Even a few inches forward can change the pain. This space turns the neck into a whip and is a component of whiplash. This creates a much longer recovery time and more pain.

If you have a half second of warning before an impact, the best thing you can do is look straight ahead, press your head firmly back into the headrest, keep your chin level, and tighten your neck and core muscles. You may end up with more sore muscles for a few days, but your discs, ligaments, and nerves will have the best chance of avoiding damage. Unfortunately, most crashes are unexpected, and you have no time to react. This makes getting looked at by a doctor even more important. Chambers Medical Group understands the risks involved with impact postures and should be one of your first steps in identifying your injuries and helping you with a plan for relief. If you are concerned about hidden injuries following an MVA then the doctors at Chambers Medical Group can help.

— This article is written by Aaron Workman, DC, one of the members of Chambers Medical Group’s team of car accident chiropractors who offer a variety of treatments and therapies ranging from diagnostic testing to various soft tissue therapies for car accidents and injuries in Kentucky.

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