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Add On Head Rest Provides Improved Comfort and Safety for Most Cars

21 April 1998

Add On Head Rest Provides Improved Comfort and Safety for Most Cars

    Wedge Support Products Responds To The Needs Of Millions Of Americans
Suffering From Back Pain With The Add On Head Rest(TM), An Effective
Therapeutic And Safety Device For Cars That Provides Comfort And Significantly
                 Reduces Injuries Associated With `Whiplash'

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 21 -- Wedge Support Products today
announced immediate availability of its patented Add On Head Rest(TM),
designed to work with and improve the comfort And safety of existing head
restraints in most makes and models of passenger vehicles.
    Although automobile manufacturers have made improvements, all too often
seats are designed more for their appearance than for their effect on the
body.  The American Medical Association reports that you can significantly
reduce the great pressure on the spine by resting the weight of the upper body
against a support.  The Add On Head Rest's unique wedge-shape imitates the
curvature of the cervical spine and fills the space between the seat and
occupant's upper body.  This provides full support and helps relieve tension
and fatigue of the lower back and postural muscles.
    "It allows you to assume a more neutral posture, that will take the load
off the postural muscles and decrease your fatigue and increase your comfort
while driving," adds Dr. Thomas Skraitz, a chiropractic physician specializing
in auto accidents.  "A simple, cost effective measure that can easily be
incorporated to reduce the potentially damaging effects of whiplash."
    Whiplash studies have repeatedly shown that an effective head restraint
will reduce the "whiplash" motion and its associated injury and that the large
majority of head restraints in current passenger vehicles are not effective in
preventing injury.  A major reason for this is that the head restraint is too
far back behind the head, allowing injury to occur before the passive head
restraint is contacted.
    Claims to improve driving safety have been substantiated in at least one
independent crash test.  Biomechanical Research & Testing, LLC of California
working in conjunction with Texas A&M's Accident Reconstruction Program
documented significant decreases in the forces generated in a rear-impact
collision while using the Add On Head Rest.  Rusty Haight, adjunct faculty for
Texas A&M, who has performed over 320 crash tests, stated it simply, "what I
like about the Add On Head Rest is that it prevents the head from rotating
backward."
    Dr. Daniel J. Murphy, a leading authority who has studied spinal trauma as
a consequence of "whiplash" injury for more than 20 years, agrees, "the Add On
Head Rest appears to be a significant improvement over factory head restraints
in the effort to reduce the injuries associated with the "whiplash" event.
Consequently, I have been recommending it for my patients and at my seminars."
    It is estimated that more than one million people suffer whiplash related
injuries annually and is expected to double by the year 2001.  In the most
comprehensive study published, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
determined that more than half the vehicles measured have "poor" head
restraint designs and only 3% are rated "good."  "A sad showing," according to
Institute President Brian O'Neill.  "This issue hasn't been a priority among
automakers."
    A low cost ($24.95 retail), easy to use device, the Add On Head Rest is
sold through catalog sales and dealers in both the medical and automotive
industries.  Customers include leading medical professionals, HESSCO, and
AAA's Marketplace catalog.  Wedge Support Products is actively looking for
additional dealers in the U.S. market and can be reached by visiting its web
site at http://suite1.hht.com/addonheadrest.  Readers who want additional
information should contact Wedge Support Products at (888) 800-7117.

SOURCE  Wedge Support Products