Frequently Asked Questions About Upper Cervical Health Care
What is Body Imbalance, and how do I know if it's happened to me?
Body Imbalance occurs when the C1 (Atlas) and/or C2 (Axis) — the top two vertebrae in your neck — shift out of their proper position. This misalignment can happen in many ways:
- During childbirth — the pressure on a baby's head and neck as it passes through the birth canal can move the Atlas out of position
- Childhood accidents — falls from a bike, skates, or a tree
- Adult injuries — sporting accidents, car accidents (even minor rear-end collisions), or slips and falls
- Other causes — emotional trauma or chemical toxicity in the body
Some common signs that your Atlas may be out of position include:
- One leg appears slightly shorter than the other
- One shoulder sits higher than the other when you look in a mirror
- One hip is higher than the other
- You have unexplained symptoms that haven't shown up on medical tests
How can Body Imbalance cause physical problems throughout my body?
The Atlas is a donut-shaped bone that your skull rests on. Your brainstem and spinal cord pass directly through the center of that "donut." At that point, trillions of nerve fibers bottleneck through a very small opening before branching out to carry signals to every part of your body.
When the Atlas shifts even slightly out of position, it can irritate, compress, or disrupt those nerve signals. The result can be muscle or joint pain, organ dysfunction, a weakened immune system, and many other conditions you might never connect to a problem in your neck.
Why is it called "Body Imbalance" instead of "neck imbalance"?
Because the effects reach your entire spine and body — not just your neck.
Your head moves wherever your Atlas moves. If that top bone shifts even a tiny amount — no more than the thickness of a fingernail — your head moves off-center. To compensate and keep your head balanced over your body, your entire spine and pelvis twist. That pulls one hip up and one leg with it, so you're effectively walking on one leg that's shorter than the other.
This uneven weight distribution puts extra stress on one side of your body — similar to driving a car with wheels out of alignment. Over time, that wear and tear can cause muscle and joint pain anywhere in the body.
When the imbalance continues long-term, disrupted nerve flow can also lead to cell degeneration in organs, potentially causing internal health problems that may not appear for years.
Is the correction painful?
No — the Upper Cervical correction is gentle. Depending on the technique used, it may feel like:
- A light, precise pressure applied to the side of the neck just below the earlobe
- A brisk but controlled thrust
- A light tap
- A gentle massage on the side of the neck
You may hear a pop or a series of small clicks as the bone moves back into place. There is no twisting of the neck.
The correction is designed to reposition the weight of your head (10–14 pounds) back over the center of your body. Once that happens, muscles begin to relax, blood and oxygen circulation improves, and your brain can communicate more effectively with the rest of your body — allowing your natural healing process to begin.
Does it need to be corrected often?
It depends on your body. Some people hold their correction for several months or even a year. Others need a correction once or twice a week at first, then taper to once or twice a month. Everyone is different.
The goal of your Upper Cervical chiropractor is to make the most precise correction possible — and then help you maintain that correction with as few visits as needed. If you're holding your correction and your body is in balance, you won't be adjusted that visit.
Think of periodic Upper Cervical check-ups the same way you think of dental check-ups or annual physicals — a smart part of your preventive health care routine.
How soon should children receive Upper Cervical care?
As soon after birth as possible, and then periodically as they grow. Ensuring that the brainstem — the organ that controls all other organs and body functions — is free from interference is one of the most valuable things you can do for your child's long-term health.
How much does it cost?
Upper Cervical care is comparable in cost to other forms of chiropractic care. There is some upfront expense for the specialized X-rays needed to analyze your specific misalignment, but payment plans are available to help you and your family get started as soon as possible.
Insurance: If your plan covers chiropractic care, it should cover Upper Cervical care as well. Some HMOs and PPOs limit you to specific in-network providers, and those providers may not be trained in precision Upper Cervical techniques. We're happy to help you understand your coverage — just ask our front desk.
Why haven't I heard about Upper Cervical care before?
Upper Cervical chiropractic is a specialized area within chiropractic care, and awareness of it has been growing steadily. More and more health care providers are learning about its benefits and referring patients to Upper Cervical doctors. Many of these providers recognize that it offers a safe, science-based option that can complement the care they already provide.
If you haven't heard of it until now, you're not alone — but that's changing. We're glad you're here.