India, May 31 -- M ost people think the back headrest in a car is meant only for comfort or for resting one's head when the vehicle stops at a signal. But the headrest is in fact an important safety feature designed to protect the neck during sudden impact, especially in rear-end collisions. No. The correct term is head restraint, not just headrest. Its main purpose is to prevent sudden backward movement of the head during a collision. When a vehicle is hit from behind, the head may suddenly jerk backwards and then forward. This can strain or injure the neck. Whiplash is a neck injury caused by a sudden, forceful movement of the head, like the cracking of a whip. The cervical spine acts like a bridge between the heavier head and the chest. In a rear-end collision, the head is first thrown backwards and then forwards, causing stress on muscles, ligaments, discs, nerves and joints of the neck. No. Whiplash injury can also occur during contact sports, sudden falls, physical assault, or any incident where the head and neck move violently. Elderly people are at a higher risk, because age-related narrowing of the spinal canal or degeneration in the neck can make even a minor jerk serious. People with previous neck injury, cervical spondylosis, disc disease, or existing nerve compression should be extra careful. Common symptoms include neck pain, stiffness, headache from the base of the skull, shoulder pain, tingling or numbness in the arms, dizziness, fatigue, blurred vision, sleep disturbance, memory issues and sometimes an electric shock-like sensation in the limbs when bending the neck. Symptoms may appear immediately or after 12-24 hours. Medical help is necessary if there is severe neck pain, tenderness over the neck or shoulders, weakness spreading to the arms or legs, difficulty walking, breathing difficulty, giddiness, imbalance, or trouble passing urine. These may indicate nerve or spinal cord involvement. The neck should be kept still. Avoid sudden movement, massage, forceful stretching, or trying to 'crack' the neck. A temporary cervical collar may help in selected cases under medical advice. Doctors examine neck movement, tenderness, muscle spasm, nerve function, sensation, power and reflexes. Depending on symptoms, X-ray, CT scan or MRI may be advised to rule out fracture, disc injury, spinal cord compression or nerve damage. Treatment focuses on pain relief, reducing inflammation and restoring movement. Doctors may advise medicines, short-term neck support, cold and heat application, and graded physiotherapy. Long-term collar use is usually avoided. We always advise patients that collar use should be guided by a healthcare professional. Rarely, severe neurological injuries may require admission and surgical intervention. Yes. Extra cushions, decorative accessories, hangers, hooks or hard objects attached to the headrest can increase injury risk during sudden impact. The head restraint should remain clear, correctly adjusted and close to the back of the head. Yes, Indian vehicle safety rules include requirements for seats, anchorages and head restraints for several vehicle categories. Rule 125 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules refers to head restraints and seat safety standards for categories including M2, M3, N1, N2 and N3 vehicles. In crowded Delhi-NCR and other metros, where people spend long hours in traffic, correct use of head restraints is not a small detail - it is a daily safety necessity. Beware of the late onset of symptoms and seek medical advice in time. HTC...