Is It Safe to Install Additional Pillows in a Car?
2 Answers
Installing additional pillows in a car is safe. Car headrests are both a comfort-enhancing accessory and a safety protective device. The functions of car seat headrests include: 1. Effectively protecting the cervical spine, thereby preventing muscle spasms in the neck; 2. Effectively promoting local blood circulation, eliminating local inflammatory pathogenic factors, and preventing stiffness and tightness in the neck and shoulder muscles; 3. Helping to maintain proper neck posture, avoiding excessive forward tilting of the cervical spine, preserving the normal physiological curvature of the cervical spine, and preventing it from becoming straight or even developing a reverse curve; 4. Effectively slowing down the occurrence of degenerative cervical spine conditions, playing a significant role in preventing cervical spondylosis.
I just researched this topic recently. I bought several memory foam neck pillows claiming to be ergonomic for my car, but my technician friend poured cold water on it. He said crash tests show that the biggest problem with these additional neck pillows is that they alter the original structural cushioning of the car's headrest. During a rear-end collision, the neck is supposed to bear force evenly within the range of the headrest, but an extra neck pillow causes the head to bear force prematurely, increasing the risk of whiplash injury. Now, I only keep a safety-certified shoulder pad for the seatbelt that can detach quickly. Comfort is important, but in the event of an accident, the original design tested millions of times is more reliable. I recommend everyone to look for the ECER129 certification mark when purchasing.
