neck problems for fourteen years prior to this accident.
The record reveals that Mrs. Leal's current injuries were manifested shortly after the accident. Mrs. Leal testified that she was in pain immediately following the accident. After the pain did not subside in two days, she sought medical treatment at University Medical Center. At that time she complained of neck, shoulder and arm pain, as well as headaches. The examining physician, Dr. James Simon, observed bruising at her shoulder and mild tenderness in her muscles. He diagnosed her with soft tissue bruising.
The record includes testimony of several expert medical witnesses. Dr. David Eugster, a chiropractor with the Pinhook Chiropractic Clinic, testified that Mrs. Leal was treated by his office on October 14, 1996, for complaints of neck pain, muscle spasms,irritability, tension, loss of sleep, and headaches. Following an examination by Dr. David Barczyk, it was determined that Mrs. Leal's test results indicated that her pain was not related to a cervical disc problem. She was examined again at their clinic on October 15, 1996. Following x-rays, the doctors diagnosed Mrs. Leal with a cervical sprain/strain injury causing cerviocobrachial syndrome (pain radiating down her shoulder and arm) along with headaches and neck pain. They made the same treatment and diagnosis again the next day. Dr. Eugster's final prognosis was that Mrs. Leal had received maximum benefit from chiropractic care and discharged her. He prescribed a program of daily therapeutic exercises. Finally, Dr. Eugster noted that he believed Mrs. Leal's injuries were "directly caused" by her automobile accident on