A system for reducing trauma in the head or neck of a living being caused by acceleration of the head relative to a torso of the living being within a range of motion. The system includes a support engaging at least one of the head, neck, and shoulder of the living being without limiting the range of motion of the head or neck relative to the torso; a sensor in electrical communication with the system; a user interface in electrical communication with the sensor; and a damper associated with the support that is configured to mitigate the position, speed or acceleration of the head relative to the torso in response to information received by the sensor or user interface.