While advances in automobile design to reduce  injuries can also pose unique problems for the driver or passenger.  One of the most common product liabilities found in the automobile today is the 3-point seat belt restraint. The 3-point system has been instrumental in reducing fatalities, but can also contribute to injuries such as rib fracture, shoulder dislocation and spinal fracture.  Very little research has been published on these cases and the mechanism of injury.   Nourbakhsh, Patil, Vannemreddy and Smith (2009) reported their research in, “A Noncontiguous 2-Level Spinal Injury in a Young Female Driver Due to a 3-Point Seat Belt Restraint,” a paper published in a peer reviewed medically indexed scientific journal.   This paper’s focus was “to describe noncontiguous fracture and dislocations of the thoracolumbosacral spine in a 23-year-old female driver with a 3-point seat belt restraint” (Nourbakhsh et al., 2009,  p.

Numerous studies have shown that spinal manipulations performed by a chiropractor can help improve a range of pain symptoms, there remains some mystery about how the process works.  Two new studies shed some light on how spinal manipulation may affect various biochemical and neurological pathways in the body, by regulating hormone levels and immune response.

Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial for Lower Back Pain: In the study published by Spine, 115 patients experiencing lower back pain for at least 13 weeks duration were randomly assigned to receive one of three interventions: medication, needle acupuncture or chiropractic manipulation.  Patients randomized to the acupuncture or spinal manipulation group were given an initial physical examination by the treating clinician to determine which form of acupuncture needle placement and needling would take place, or what type of spinal manipulation would be performed, respectively. Patients randomized to the medication group were given Celebrex, unless the patient had used it previously. The next drug of choice was Vioxx, followed by paracetamol (up to 4g/day).

Dizziness caused by neck problems is called cervical vertigo. The degree of dizziness varies from fleeting and mild to long lasting and debilitating. As there seems to be no practical and effective drug treatment, patients often seek alternative therapies, like chiropractic

Dizziness caused by neck problems is called cervical vertigo. The degree of dizziness varies from fleeting and mild to long lasting and debilitating.

Strain/sprains can be permanent. There are 3 grades of sprain/strain: Grade 1: Overstretching of the ligament that is a transient condition that resolves

It has often been said that if an accident victim has pre-existing arthritis (degenerative joint disease- sponylosis), that the ensuing bodily injury was most likely pre-existing.

It has been widely reported that the majority of automobiles deform or crush, as per the manufacturers rating at 5mph, and as a result, occupants can not be hurt at such a low velocity of impact. The Spine Research Institute of San Diego, who crashed dozens of cars in an independent study, found a flaw in the manufacturer’s rating.

It has been widely reported that the majority of automobiles deform or crush, as per the manufacturers rating at 5mph, and as a result, occupants can not be hurt at such a low velocity of impact.