COVER INNOVATION Doctor inventor B y S tefan D uBowSki pioneering chiropractor with a Canadian pedigree has invented protective sports gear to help football players reduce the risk of concussions. Over the last five years, Dr. Kevin Jack-son has been developing The Jackson Force Absorption System, which absorbs the energy during collisions that players commonly expe-rience on the field. When players get hit, they can be seriously hurt, notes the Jackson Athletic website. It explains, “Excessive linear or rotational forces in the form of cervical rotation, lateral bending, extension and flexion cause the cervical facet joints to ride up on each other and jam. This can cause the posterior longitudinal ligament to stretch beyond its limits. As a result, the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots, blood vessels and cerebral spinal canal are traumatized to some degree. This trauma can create the same neurological symptoms of a brain concussion. It may contribute to the long-term neurodegenerative changes seen in football players.” A Chiropractor devises gear to help protect football players – and their brains. Dr. Kevin Jackson (right) tests the force absorption system, which connects to the helmet and shoulder pads that football players use. Down the tube The Jackson Force Absorption System uses rubber tubes to help soak up the energy otherwise relayed to the player’s cervical spine, brainstem, spinal cord and blood vessels. The tubes connect to the helmet and the shoulder pads, effectively stopping the player’s neck from overextending. The system clips easily into place, and it’s adjustable to fit players of various shapes and sizes. A range of coloured resistance bands work for players at different levels: purple for peewee, yellow for high school, red for college and green STEFAN DUBOWSKI IS an award-winning freelance writer based in Ottawa. 16 Canadian Chiropractor June 2017 for professional. A BSc graduate of Brock University in St. Catharines, Ont. and DC grad of Life University in Marietta, Georgia, Jackson operates Sigafoose & Jackson Chiropractic in York, Pennsylvania, one of the largest clinics in the state. He traces the idea for the Jackson Force Absorption System back to his rugby-playing days, circa 1987 on the Life campus. He collided with a teammate during practice and got a concus-sion: experiencing dizziness, headaches and ringing in his ears. He was still suffering even after a few months later. One of his teachers recommended getting his upper cervical checked, so Jackson went to see Dr. John Grostic, who spe-cialized in that area. Jackson’s symptoms disappeared almost immediately after treatment. That quick turnaround spurred his interest in the link between the upper neck and concussion-related symptoms. Over time, Jackson’s focus on this area grew. www.canadianchiropractor.ca
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