Skip to content

3 Reasons to Allow the Neck to Extend

3 Reasons to Allow the Neck to Extend

Michelle L. Lange, OTR/L, ABDA, ATP/SMS

Updated 9/25/2022

In previous blogs, we have discussed clinical indicators for providing dynamic movement at the hips and knees. Another location dynamic movement can be provided is at the neck through Dynamic Head Support Hardware. Most dynamic options allow movement into neck extension and then facilitate return to an upright and aligned posture. So when is a dynamic head support clinically indicated?

Here are three reasons:

1. Maintaining Alignment and protecting Hardware

First, dynamic components can prevent the head support from moving out of alignment and even prevent damage to the head support mounting hardware. Some clients extend with such momentary, repeated, or sustained forces that the wheelchair head support hardware actually breaks. By absorbing and diffusing these forces, the head support remains in position and is protected from damage.

2. Preventing Client Injury

Second, if the client is exerting enough force to break head support hardware, we can assume that the client could injure their neck or even the brain. The force exerted against the wheelchair head support can be as great as forces occurring in sports collisions, which can lead to concussions.

3. Diffusing Overall Force

Third, by absorbing and diffusing force, overall extension may be reduced. A dynamic head support can also be used in combination with a dynamic back and dynamic footrests to absorb and diffuse forces at multiple areas for greater impact.

What about contra-indicators? Some clients respond to any neck extension beyond upright with postural insecurity or a startle, Moro, other reflexive responses. If the dynamic component allows a large amount of movement, the client may even injure their neck by extending excessively beyond the back of the seating system. It is important to ensure that the client does not move into neck hyperextension, as well.

Check out our next blog to learn how dynamic head support design addresses these clinical issues!

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.