Is this the first time that you are hearing about upper cervical chiropractic care?
I want to help you understand more about this subspecialty of chiropractic so that you can make an informed decision about your healthcare. To start, you need the answer to the most basic question: What is upper cervical chiropractic care? In order to answer this question, we are going to break down the upper cervical process into its most basic components...
The first big difference when it comes to upper cervical chiropractic care is that the focus is placed on adjusting just the top two bones in the neck. These bones are called the C1 and C2 vertebrae or the atlas and axis. They play a very specialized role and are unique from all of the other vertebrae.
Because they balance the head, even a slight misalignment in these two bones can result in changes throughout the spine. Also, because they are part of the cervical spine (7 neck bones), they help to facilitate blood flow to the brain via the vertebral foramen (tiny bone loops that offer safe passage to vertebral arteries).
The atlas plays an even more important role. It surrounds and protects the brainstem right at the vital juncture where it meets the spinal cord. Therefore, even the tiniest misalignment can affect the function of the central nervous system by putting pressure on the brainstem and reducing blood flow.
Precisely Measuring the Upper Cervical Spine
You may wonder how upper cervical chiropractors are able to target the C1 and C2 vertebrae precisely. After all, it is clear how vital this area of the body is.
This is why upper cervical practitioners use modern diagnostic imaging techniques. You will often have three x-rays taken of your upper neck to give the doctor a three-dimensional look at the misalignment. Then, it is a matter of calculating the perfect adjustment. For this reason, you probably will not have your first adjustment the same day as your examination. The practitioner will need time to customize an adjustment to meet your exact needs.
Low Force Corrections for Precision and Safety
It’s finally the big day! The calculations have been performed and you are ready to get the benefits of an adjustment. You lay on the table, and the doctor applies some gentle pressure by hand or maybe uses an adjustment instrument. The next thing you know, it is time to schedule your next appointment. What happened? Some patients may wonder if the practitioner even did anything.
Then you start to feel the effects. While some patients may not notice anything until the coming days when weeks when long-term problems get better or go away completely. Other more sensitive patients may immediately notice things such as the fact that both legs are the same length after perhaps years of being slightly off balance. Whether you notice the effects instantly or in the weeks to come, the same thing holds true – the adjustments are very gentle and safe. The precise measurements that were taken translate into long-term benefits.
The Long-Lasting Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Your practitioner may provide you with some tips for helping the adjustment last longer. Once the soft tissue around your atlas and axis stabilize, you can start to space out your appointments. However, the benefits will continue working. Therefore, this becomes a very cost-effective way to get safe and natural care. But what sorts of health problems may clear up when upper cervical care is received?
Here are just a few of the conditions that upper cervical chiropractic can help. Following the links to see more articles about how upper cervical chiropractic care can benefit you if you are suffering from the following:
Neck pain
Back pain
Migraines or headaches
Vertigo and Meniere’s disease
Post-concussion syndrome
Fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome
TMJ Disorders or trigeminal neuralgia
