Did you know that there are much gentler and safer procedures that do not involve any twisting or “popping” of the spine or neck? Upper Cervical chiropractic is one of the few such techniques.

Upper Cervical spinal adjustments are very gentle, high specific, and safe. During the adjustment you are in a side lying position on a special table, and your neck is in a neutral position. There is no twisting of the head or neck. Aided by a movable headpiece, the adjustment is a quick tap to move the vertebra back into place.

Easy, safe, and painless. Even kids love getting adjusted!

How is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Different: A Focus on One Area to Benefit the Whole Body

Upper Cervical doctors concentrate primarily on the top two vertebrae of the neck (called C1 and C2) to affect the rest of the spine and body as a whole. When these vertebrae are out of alignment, it unbalances the head causing the whole spine and body to compensate.

Watch this video to learn more about how such imbalance can adversely affect your health.

This area of the spine is critical to the proper function of the body. Your chiropractor should check this area first before addressing other areas. There is no point adjusting a misalignment that is a compensation for that in the upper cervical region (upper neck) – the source of the problem.

When you correct the top, the rest will follow.

How is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Different: Personally Tailored Chiropractic Adjustments

Upper Cervical chiropractors use highly specialized X-rays and adjustments that are specifically tailored to your anatomy. No two people are the same, every individual is unique and therefore has different needs.

Such specialized X-rays allow the doctor to pinpoint which vertebrae are out of alignment and where in space it has moved. No other traditional chiropractor uses this system of analysis except for Upper Cervical doctors.

How is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Different:

Removing Stress on the Brain Stem is Our Specialty

The top two vertebrae of the neck have a very intimate relationship with the brain and nervous system that the rest of the spine does not. Problems with these vertebrae can result in dysfunction of the brain particularly the brain stem, which controls millions of functions in the body.

Stress on the brain stem can result in problems with the heart, such as an irregular heartbeat and abnormal changes in blood pressure. In the lungs, it can cause shortness of breath or chronic congestion in the lungs. Problems with balance, movement, tingling and numbness in the arms and legs, headaches, migraines, and low back pain are just some of the few conditions that can arise.

To see a more complete list of conditions that respond to Upper Cervical chiropractic, click here (coming soon!).

How is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Different: Cutting Edge Technology

Upper Cervical doctors use a state of the art thermographic scan called the Tytron Scanner to detect imbalance within the nervous system. The Tytron C-5000 (used in our office) can accurately scan the entire spine in less than 15 seconds. A specific heat pattern for the individual patient can be reflective of an upper cervical misalignment.

How is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Different: Knowing When & When NOT to Adjust

This is one aspect that surprises patients the most about Upper Cervical care – Upper Cervical doctors assess for when to adjust but also know when NOT to adjust the spine.

Results from the Tytron thermographic scan and specific physical tests will tell an Upper Cervical doctor if the body is in a natural state of healing or if there is interference and an adjustment is needed. Often times, the body does not need help in repairing the tissues and an ill-timed adjustment can do a lot more damage than good.

Call today for a free consultation with Dr. Mercedes Cook! (858) 577-0662