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If you are looking for an advanced form of chiropractic care, upper cervical chiropractic may be the right choice for you. Upper cervical chiropractic is a specialized form of care that focuses on the craniocervical junction, which is the area where the skull and spine meet. This area is important because it supports and protects the brainstem. If this area becomes misaligned, it can cause problems with nerve function and lead to a variety of health issues. Today, we’re exploring upper cervical chiropractic care and what it can do for you.
What is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment
Upper cervical chiropractors use a variety of techniques to adjust the craniocervical junction, including manual adjustments and instrument-assisted adjustments. The craniocervical junction is a very delicate area, so adjustments must be precise in order to avoid causing further damage. Upper cervical chiropractors are specially trained to adjust this area and they use a variety of techniques to ensure that each patient receives the best possible care.
History of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical chiropractic was first developed in the 1950s by Dr. B.J Palmer, who is known as the developer of modern-day chiropractic practices. To learn more about upper cervical specific techniques and how to better help patients with craniocervical misalignments, Palmer traveled to Switzerland and studied with a chiropractor who specialized in this area.
In 1966, the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA) was founded by chiropractor Ralph Gregory. Mostly based on the work he and John Grostic performed before Grostic’s death in 1964, this new style of targeted chiropractic care and the upper cervical adjusting technique was officially taught in 1966 at the first NUCCA seminar in Monroe, Michigan.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is different from other forms of care because upper cervical doctors focus on correcting the source of the misalignment, rather than only treating symptoms. For example, upper cervical chiropractors do not use forceful thrusts to adjust patients’ spines as standard chiropractors do. Instead, upper cervical chiropractors use a gentle method of care to address the upper cervical spine.
Upper cervical chiropractors undergo extensive training in order to specialize in this field of care. They are also certified by the International Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, which indicates that they have the proper training and expertise to provide upper cervical chiropractic care. In addition to upper cervical chiropractors being specialists in their field, upper cervical chiropractic treatment is also very different from standard chiropractic care for several reasons. This advanced chiropractic care involves specific analysis and x-rays to determine upper cervical misalignment. This is important because upper cervical misalignments are very small and cannot be detected with the naked eye.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care is Different
Standard chiropractic care focuses on correcting problems along the whole length of the spinal column. Upper cervical chiropractic care, on the other hand, specifically targets the craniocervical junction. This area is important because it supports and protects the brainstem. If this area becomes misaligned, it can cause problems with nerve function and lead to a variety of health issues.
The goal of upper cervical chiropractic treatment is to restore proper alignment and improve nerve function. This can help relieve symptoms related to many different conditions, including:
- Back pain
- Sciatica
- Vertigo
- Tinnitus
- Fibromyalgia
- Targeted Chiropractic Care
Today’s upper cervical chiropractors use advanced imaging and analysis to pinpoint the area in need of treatment. Once upper cervical misalignment has been determined, these specialty chiropractors use a variety of techniques to restore proper alignment, including manual adjustments and instrument-assisted adjustments. Upper cervical chiropractic care doctors are very precise in their treatment plans, and they use the latest technology to ensure that misalignments are corrected as quickly as possible
What Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment Can Do For You
Upper cervical chiropractic care can help treat a variety of health conditions, including back pain, sciatica, vertigo, tinnitus, and fibromyalgia. It can also help improve nerve function and relieve symptoms related to these conditions. If you are looking for an advanced form of chiropractic care that can provide long-term relief from your symptoms, upper cervical chiropractic may be the right choice for you.
Upper cervical misalignment can have a ripple effect on the body. These upper spine misalignments can cause problems with nerve function and lead to a variety of health issues. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specialized form of care that focuses on the craniocervical junction, which is the area where the skull and spine meet. This area is important because it supports and protects the brainstem. If this area becomes misaligned, it can affect the entire body.
How does the craniocervical junction get misaligned?
The upper cervical spine can become misaligned due to a variety of factors, including accidents and injuries. Poor posture, improper ergonomics, car crashes, and even aging can contribute to spinal issues. When the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, it allows for optimal nerve function throughout your body. However, when this area becomes misaligned it prevents nerves from functioning at their best and causes problems with your health.
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Chiropractic treatment focused on the upper spine and neck can be highly effective for pain management and symptom reduction. Upper cervical chiropractors use advanced imaging technology to get a detailed view of the upper cervical spine so they can make an accurate diagnosis. This allows them to provide patients with personalized treatment plans based on their needs and health conditions.
How Does Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Work?
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care works by correcting upper cervical misalignments that are causing nerve dysfunction and leading to other health issues. It provides relief from symptoms as well as overall improved wellness. This specialized form of treatment focuses on the upper part of your spine and neck to help relieve many different health conditions by correcting misalignments in this area of the body.
While regular chiropractors use forceful thrusts to adjust patients’ upper spines, upper cervical chiropractors do not. They use a gentle method of care that is focused on aligning the uppermost part of your neck and spine (the upper cervical spine). Upper Cervical Chiropractors are trained in this specialized form of treatment because they know how important it is to treat upper cervical misalignments correctly so patients can experience better health outcomes.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Treatment for Migraines
Upper Cervical Chiropractic spinal corrections work to reduce symptoms for millions of migraine sufferers. By releasing pressure points and alleviating stress along the spine and nervous system, patients experience noticeable results.
According to research from NUCCA in 2015, people who received upper cervical manual adjustments reduced drug consumption by 80% and lowered symptomatic migraine days per month by 97% with 100% of study participants reporting an incredible decrease in pain and functional disability associated with migraines.
Evidence-Based Chiropractic Care to Treat High Blood Pressure
Contemporary research studies show that some advanced chiropractic treatments may lower high blood pressure. According to one study, realigning the C-1 vertebra, also known as the Atlas vertebra, with the spine can restore balance within the body. Researchers focused on how chiropractors use a procedure that adjusts the Atlas vertebra, which is located at the base of the brain.
The Atlas bone is one of two upper cervical vertebrae found at the top of the spinal column. Along with the second vertebra, known as the axis, the Atlas allows for the full range of motion of your head. When this vertebra becomes pinched or locked in a position that’s even just a little out of alignment, that misalignment can have a strong ripple effect that impacts the control centers of the brain.
The findings of one NUCCA study suggest that patients with early-stage high blood pressure who participated in chiropractic manipulation of the upper cervical region experienced lower blood pressure than those who received a placebo chiropractic treatment. People who participated in this hypertension pilot study experienced a proven drop in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure after several weeks of consistent chiropractic care.
Find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in the Atlanta Area
Upper cervical chiropractors can deliver real, noticeable results to patients experiencing general musculoskeletal pain, uncomfortable migraines, persistent vertigo, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, and other chronic conditions. Whether you’ve been injured in an accident or you’re experiencing natural misalignments that come with age and deconditioning, upper cervical chiropractic care can help.
For more information about upper cervical treatments and advanced chiropractic care, contact our office today. When you schedule a consultation you’ll receive a comprehensive personalized chiropractic treatment plan focused on healing your body, not just treating symptoms.
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