Abstract: A system for obtaining biomechanical data for the cervical spine of a subject is described. The system includes a display showing a figure representative of the subject. The figure may be displayed in substantially real time relative to the subject's movement The figure may be viewed from a selected one of a plurality of views.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for determining the dynamic biomechanical characteristics (frequency response functions and natural frequency) of a musculoskeletal structure is provided. The method generally comprises exciting the musculoskeletal structure over a broad range of frequencies with a low amplitude, high velocity impulsive input force, measuring the input force with a force transducer, detecting the output motion response with an output transducer, processing input force and output response data into time-signal histories with a data acquisition and analysis means or digital computer, transforming the time-signal histories from the time domain to the frequency domain by applying Fourier analysis; and calculating a frequency response function and the natural frequency from the input force and dynamic output response time-signal histories.

Abstract: An improved chiropractic adjusting instrument and method is provided for use in spinal manipulative therapy and for exciting a human spine at its natural frequency. The chiropractic adjusting instrument includes a thrust element for delivering an input force, a body contact member removably attached to the thrust element, a spring member for propelling the thrust element and the body contact member outwardly, and an adjustment knob arranged on the thrust element for adjusting the amount of potential energy imposed on the spring member and for controlling the magnitude of the resulting input force. In use, the input force is mechanically tuned to the natural frequency of a musculoskeletal structure (e.g., a human spine) by positioning a shaped mass on the thrust element, by varying the stiffness of the removable body contact member, and/or by varying the stiffness of the spring member. The input force is then delivered to the musculoskeletal structure at its natural frequency.

Abstract: An improved chiropractic adjusting instrument is provided for use in spinal manipulative therapy and for exciting a human spine at its natural frequency. The chiropractic adjusting instrument includes a thrust element for delivering an input force, a body contact member removably attached to the thrust element, a spring means for propelling the thrust element and the body contact member outwardly, and an adjustment knob arranged on the thrust element for adjusting the amount of potential energy imposed on the spring means and for controlling the magnitude of the resulting input force. In use, the input force is mechanically tuned to a desired frequency (e.g., the natural frequency of a human spine) by positioning a shaped mass on the thrust element. By mechanically tuning the chiropractic adjusting instrument in this way, the dynamic output response of the spine is maximized while the requisite impact force is minimized.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for determining kinematic movement of the cervical spine. The method compares biomechanical pathways of a human patient's head free range of motion in space with either standardized biomechanical pathway data or previously determined biomechanical pathway data of the same person to determine the nature and extent of abnormal kinematic movement.

Abstract: A chiropractic adjusting instrument in the form of a manually operated and controlled device having a body contact member to apply a thrust force in a specific line of drive at a very rapid speed with this instrument replacing the previous technique of using thumb thrust having the speed generated by rapid movement of the elbows together. The instrument includes a longitudinally reciprocal spring biased member having a resilient body contact element on the end thereof and a manually movable handle connected thereto for compressing the resilient spring with adjustable means being provided for releasing the spring and contact after a predetermined compression of the spring, thereby enabling a controlled force of adjustment to be applied at a rapid speed and in a precise line of drive.