Journalism of Courage
Experts feel that it is important to buy a helmet of the right size and fit to avoid discomfort and chronic pain
If you have ever experienced comfort or relief after you removed your helmet then its time to re-check you helmet! A wrong fit helmet creates added weight to the head leading to poor stooping posture,muscle fatigue and neck pain.
A recent survey showed that 42 per cent of fatal road accidents annually are reported of people driving two wheelers. Helmet use is,thus,a very vital aspect of safe driving as it is a protective headgear,used to protect the rider’s head during impact,preventing or reducing head injury or saving the rider’s life. In many cities,helmet use has now become compulsory.
However doctors have asked whether people are wearing the right type of helmet. “Wearing a helmet can add stress to our neck while our muscles contract constantly to maintain a balanced posture while driving,” says Dr Kiran Shete,founder and director of Spinalogy Clinic.
Shete pointed out that in their recent retrospective analysis,out of 100 patients in age group 25 to 40 who reported neck and shoulder pain,almost 60 per cent of patients were daily two wheeler users and 28 per cent of them were wearing helmets. The findings reported that of the 28 per cent who wore helmets,71 per cent had problems because of wrong usage,choice or model of helmet. They were then guided for ideal helmet selection and usage along with exercises and most of the participants were soon pain-free.
