Automobile Accident Results Whiplash Trauma!

The term whiplash was first coined in 1928. Though primarily used to describe the type of injury suffered in rear-impact automobile accidents, over the years whiplash has also been used to refer to any neck injury caused by sudden motion of the head. Because of problems associated with the term whiplash, other phrases have emerged in recent years to try to better describe this type of injury, such as "cervical acceleration/deceleration (CAD) injury" and "cervical hyperextension/hyperflexion injury". All these terms have short-comings, and as a result whiplash still remains an integral part of medical jargon.

One of the most controversial issues in the study of whiplash - and one of profound interest to both the insurance and legal fields - revolves around injuries reportedly sustained in low speed rear-impact crashes. Can such collisions cause occupant injury? A study by Brault published in ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION (1998) gives support to the claim soft tissue injury can occur as a result of low speed rear-impact collisions, despite the fact crash velocities are often so slow as to produce no damage to either vehicle.

In this study, human volunteer subjects underwent rear-impact collisions in which the crash velocities were set at 2.5 and 5 miles per hour. Of particular significance is these volunteers were first screened for any pre-existing spinal conditions, then seated in optimal positions with headrests positioned correctly, and finally were aware of the impending crash. In real-life accidents it is exceptionally rare to have all of these conditions in the occupant's favour. For this reason, the results of this study are especially compelling. Under laboratory conditions designed to minimize injury, a significant 29% of occupants were found to have sustained injury at a crash velocity of 2.5 mph, and fully 38% sustained injury at 5 mph.

In the real world, victims of rear-impact collisions were often not anticipating the impact, their head may have been turned, their seated posture was very likely poor resulting in their head being too far from the headrest, and frequently their headrests were positioned too low. Each of these factors amplify and compound the trauma that occurs to muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves, blood vessels and bone. Now add to this list a spine that may not have optimal alignment, optimal curvature, or may have some other pre-existing abnormality or health condition. Perhaps this may not be the first such accident an individual has been involved in.

As our understanding of whiplash trauma evolves, and more studies like this one support the contention low speed rear-end collisions do cause injury, the controversy regarding authenticity of such injuries may finally be put to rest.

For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

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For Good Spinal Hygiene - Do Regular Chiropractic Care!

Imagine when you were born you were a given a shiny, new car. You were told this car had to last your entire lifetime, it was the only car you would have and that many of the critical components were irreplaceable. How would you care for this car? Would you inspect it regularly with loving maintenance, or wait for the engine to seize before checking the oil? Most likely, you would look after this car like your life depended on it! Your life does depend upon the health and well-being of your spine, and your spine has to last a lifetime.

 Many families choose to benefit from regular chiropractic care because they recognize the value and wisdom of good spinal hygiene. They understand a healthy spine begins with correct, balanced posture and normal spinal alignment. They know incorrect spinal alignment effects the nervous system, increasing susceptibility to many health problems. They appreciate that poor alignment also causes premature aging through accelerated spinal decay, disc and joint degeneration, reduced muscle function, and loss of mobility, energy, vitality and general well-being. Above all, families who choose regular chiropractic care understand that maintaining spinal health is an on-going process, as necessary as good dental hygiene or regular car maintenance.

 The goal of chiropractic care is to keep people healthy. Unfortunately, many people wait until they are in pain before going to their chiropractor, unaware that spinal conditions, like other health problems, can be symptom-free for weeks or years before pain develops. These people mistakenly confuse health with absence of pain. Think: if simply being pain-free meant you were healthy, and then wouldn't painkillers make you healthy? The healthiest people would be those taking the most painkillers!

 The reality is true health does not mean simply being free of symptoms. Ask anyone who has survived a sudden heart attack. Preventative care, whether it's for the heart, teeth or spine, helps detect and correct silent problems before a crisis occurs. On the other hand, the "crisis management" approach to health is analogous to waiting for the engine to seize before checking the oil. It is painful, costly and usually preventable. Regular chiropractic care can help avoid health crises, and provide the foundation for a wellness approach to healthy living.

 Do it for yourself. Do it for your family. Do it because it's smart!
For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.

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Spinal Degeneration Not Only An Aging Process!

“Joints don’t break down with age alone, but rather with disuse, misuse, or no use. It just so happens as we get older we have more and more opportunity to do less and less”. Murray Allen, M.D.


Despite medicine’s best efforts, degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis, continues to be one of our society’s most common – and tragic – degenerative diseases. By age 30, about one third of the population will show osteoarthritic changes on spinal x-ray, and by 70 years of age degenerative joint disease is almost universal.


The prevalence of osteoarthritis has lead to two widespread misconceptions. Many people attribute back or neck pain to the presence of spinal degeneration. Similarly, many believe spinal degeneration is a normal and inevitable aging process. Both these traditional beliefs are now starting to be questioned as more, and better, research is expanding our knowledge of this condition.


Although recent medical research has identified a possible genetic component to certain forms of osteoarthritis in certain individuals, spinal degeneration is still considered largely a “wear and tear” condition. In the simplest terms, the spine is comprised of vertebra separated from one another by discs (analogous to cushions or sponges). As we age, these discs undergo subtle biochemical changes resulting in a loss of thickness and cushioning ability. Evidence now suggests these biochemical alterations in the disc may be a product of chronic undernourishment due to faulty spinal mechanics, rather than an inevitable part of the aging phenomenon. Faulty spinal mechanics is primarily the result of accidents, microtrauma and postural distortions. Trauma and abnormal posture produces malalignment of the spine, further contributing to spinal wear and tear.


The major significance of spinal osteoarthritis, however, lies in its effect on the nervous system. Studies show even minor changes in spinal configuration – the beginning stages of the degeneration process – result in compromise of the spinal cord and associated nerve function. As the arthritic changes progress in severity so does nervous system compromise. The potential implications of this are enormous, as science confirms the nervous system controls every tissue, organ and system in the body. For example, evidence shows there is a direct connection between the nervous and immune systems.


The process of spinal degeneration may not be an inevitable part of aging. This is evident from the fact many older people have healthy, well-preserved discs and no sign of disc or joint degeneration. Yet severe degenerative change can be seen in young adults if there has been trauma or prolonged, abnormal spinal stress, such as the result of postural distortion and malalignment.


Chiropractic care can significantly benefit osteoarthritis sufferers by gradually improving movement in dysfunctional joints and through restoring normal spinal curves and alignment. In addition to relieving pain, chiropractic may also assist in preventing further degeneration from occurring. The most important contribution chiropractic care can have to spinal health, however, may lie in prevention. Through maintaining optimum joint movement and spinal alignment, regular chiropractic care can help prevent spinal degeneration from starting in the first place.


An ounce of prevention…


For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information.


Dr. Marc Browner chiropractor Plantation that provides spinal decompression Plantation therapy for lower back pain. Also providing chiropractic services for headaches, low back pain, neck pain, pain relief, sports massage, massage therapy and more.

Suffering From Chronic Back Pain – A Chiropractor Can Help you with Relief!

Fear of the unknown is the primary reason many people delay seeking the help of a chiropractic doctor. What can you expect when visiting a chiropractor for the first time?


As a new chiropractic patient the office staff will welcome and acquaint you to the office. They will take a detailed history of your complaint and health status, including other symptoms or health problems, and past accidents, injuries and illnesses that may have had an effect on your present condition. A good history is important for an accurate diagnosis of your problem. 


On your first visit the chiropractor will do a thorough examination of your complaint. This will include a postural assessment, pertinent orthopedic, neurological and other tests, and specific joint and muscle evaluation. X-rays may be taken if they are considered to be necessary. Your doctor will then discuss the findings of the examination and x-rays.


Providing you with an easily understood diagnosis of your condition is an important part of your chiropractic care. Your chiropractic doctor will then discuss the various treatment options available to you. A well-informed patient is one of the main goals of every chiropractor, and you will be encouraged to ask questions throughout your care.


Following the review of your examination findings, the diagnosis of your condition and discussion of treatment, the doctor will provide you with recommendations for care, which will include a detailed plan of treatment and reassessment. Chiropractors consider the re-examination to be a very important component of patient care for it enables a consistent and objective evaluation of a patient’s progress.


Once you have given an informed consent to chiropractic care, the doctor will initiate treatment. Chiropractic treatment encompasses a wide variety of specialized procedures, many of which involve hands-on techniques called chiropractic adjustments. These are designed specifically to improve spinal position and joint function. When delivered by chiropractors, chiropractic adjustments have been found to be extremely safe, gentle and virtually painless. Your chiropractor may supplement the adjustment with the use of other techniques, therapies or exercises, depending upon your particular case. Before leaving the office you will often be given suggestions for home care so that you can play an active role in helping to restore your health. 


For a consultation or more information you can reach Dr. Browner & Dr. Behar at Windmill Health Center, Weston 954-217-4881. We also have two additional locations to serve you in Pembroke Pines and Plantation, contact our Weston location for more information. 


Dr. Marc Browner chiropractor Plantation that provides you a pain free life with chiropractic services. Chiropractic services for headaches, low back pain, neck pain, pain relief, back pain Plantation, sports massage and massage therapy and more.