Why I Love Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care has been a major part of my life since I was 18 years old. I became a Chiropractic Assistant back in 1991 when I graduated high school. I just didn’t really feel like college was something I wanted to pursue after my initial experience at The University of Houston and the University of North Texas. So, I got a job…
When I became a chiropractic assistant, that’s when my love for chiropractic began. Since I was an early teen, I suffered from severe migraines. They were so bad that when they occurred, sometimes once per week, it would cause not just a pain so bad in my head I thought it would explode, but nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. It was a nightmare that typically lasted 24 hours.
As an assistant, I received chiropractic care and the migraines got substantially less frequent and less severe, yet they did not completely subside. During my initial chiropractic journey, I was under wonderful care by some fantastic, dedicated, and skilled doctors, but once I experienced the amazing benefits of upper cervical chiropractic, did I see how amazing, versatile, and life-changing this specialty in chiropractic truly was.
What is the most effective chiropractic technique?
In case you haven’t noticed, there are Chiropractic offices on virtually every block. While all provide Chiropractic care, we all utilize different techniques within the field.
There are over 200 different techniques and many of which are variations of themselves, but the most researched, but unfortunately, under-utilized is Upper Cervical Chiropractic. Referring to the origins of upper cervical techniques, Dan Murphy, DC, DABCO, wrote: “Over the past 100 years, the practice of chiropractic has branched into dozens of specialty techniques. However, historically, for a third of this time, from the 1930s into the 1960s, the predominant practice of chiropractic involved primarily the upper cervical spine.”
Why is Upper Cervical Chiropractic so under-utilized?
- Chiropractic education encompasses many areas, including many of the most popular techniques in the field, however, only two schools, Sherman College in South Carolina and Life University in Georgia and California, teach, as a required course, upper cervical techniques.
- Because only two schools teach these techniques as a core curriculum, students and doctors in the field need to seek out these courses either on an elective basis while in school or after they graduate while they are trying to establish a practice. Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a very precise technique that requires a lot of skill, practice, and study to master. Therefore not many doctors have the ability or the time to spend trying to build and maintain a practice.
- It takes a special x-ray and adjusting equipment to perform these gentle and precise adjustments.
With that said, finding an upper cervical chiropractor is sometimes not an easy task and the fact that I stumbled upon such a treasure in my early chiropractic career, I feel so very blessed.
Upper cervical corrective care is a logical, effective, safe, and scientifically proven procedure in the chiropractic profession. It is designed to restore Atlas/C1 Alignment (Body Balance) to remove interference at the point where the head and neck join, in order to re-activate the body’s natural self-healing process by relieving pain and discomfort within the musculoskeletal and neuromuscular systems. Anytime our body experiences pain, this causes extreme stress within and can cascade into other inflammatory issues or can even exacerbate existing health conditions.
Chiropractic and medical experts agree that electrical and chemical messages control, monitor and maintain all body functions. These messages also direct all body healing. These messages leave the brain by way of the brainstem, pass through the top two bones in the neck (C1/C2), down the spinal cord, and throughout the entire nervous system to all parts of the body.
Atlas/C1 misalignment can cause interference at the point where the head and neck join and disrupt or distort the flow of these vital health and healing messages to any part of the body. Disrupted or distorted brain messages will allow pain and other problems to develop. At HealthWorks Family Chiropractic our objective is to restore Atlas/C1 alignment and reactivate the efficient flow of neuromuscular and musculoskeletal health and healing messages to the affected part of the body so its natural self-healing process can regain and maintain optimal nervous system health.
When an Atlas/C1 misalignment is corrected and body balance is restored so healing messages can flow uninterrupted to the affected area, muscles begin to relax immediately, blood and oxygen circulation is increased, and the body’s natural self-healing process begins. When there is pain or suffering, always check for Atlas/C1 misalignment to determine if the brain is efficiently communicating with all parts of the body.
Any part of the body that cannot communicate efficiently with the brain will develop health problems. Therefore, it would be logical to say, the proper diagnosis for health problems that respond to the Upper Cervical Correction is “Head/Neck Misalignment.”
Does upper cervical chiropractic really work?
Here’s a list of common issues that respond very well to Upper Cervical Correction:
- Arthritis
- Arm pain
- Athletic injuries
- Back pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Headaches (all types)
- Herniated disc
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Leg pain
- Loss of sleep due to pain
- Low back pain
- Migraine headaches
- Muscle spasms
- Neck pain
- Neuralgia
- Neuritis
- Numbness
- Pain (chronic)
- Restlessness
- Scoliosis
- Shoulder pain
- Tendonitis
- Tight muscles
- Tingling Sensations
- T.M.J. Syndrome
- Whiplash
And so many, many more!
This is why I call it the Greatest Healthcare Secret! An atlas/C1 adjustment is the most comprehensive and “full-body” adjustment you’ll ever receive! Imagine, just one tiny bone at the top of your neck could cause all these symptoms AND one very precise and gentle adjustment could help you feel like you’re no longer tied up in knots. SIGN ME UP!
How do our patients feel about upper cervical chiropractic care?
“I started seeing Dr. Taylor in late 2020 after being struck by a landscape trailer in 2019, during which time I suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) including two hematomas. Recovery has been slow, and my neurologist tells me I may not fully recover the short-term memory that I lost due to the accident. Conventional doctors haven’t been much help in aiding me past the residual frustration and anger issues I have faced since the accident.
I was particularly glad to find a practitioner who understands and actually treats persons with TBI such as myself. Dr. Taylor’s certification in Upper Cervical treatment was the key element in my decision to seek chiropractic care from HealthWorks. It is my understanding that Dr. Taylor’s Diplomate of Chiropractic Craniocervical Junction Procedures (DCCJP) certification is unique and that she is the only such diplomate in the DFW Metroplex.
The care I have received at HealthWorks has been superlative, and I have experienced improvements in my mood and cervical spinal issues. Each of the doctors are friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable, as is the staff. I always feel that this team’s number one focus is on healing, a refreshing change from typical conventional medical practices.”
Jane C.
“Your facility is wonderful and everyone is kind and patient. When I first came in I wasn’t able to stand for more than 20 minutes without sitting down or kneeling. I could feel a lot of pressure in my back and as soon as my first adjustment was done I felt like a normal person and was able to stand without the pain. Now I am able to focus much better because I am not having to think about the pain traveling up my back. You guys are a lifesaver and thank you for everything that you have done for me and my family.”
Thanks, Chris Hesson
“I’d have to give a short history of my health and my previous chiropractors, to fully bring to the picture the impact of what Healthworks Family Chiropractic gave me.
My first experience of lower back pain was around 6 years back when I finished assembling my TV stand. I was living in the San Francisco Bay Area then, and I was trying to find a good chiropractor. But sadly, all of my chiro’s were giving me adjustments that gave me temporary relief. They made me believe that it was going to be a long way to feel and get better. My previous chiro, in fact, knew I had 1 short leg and scoliosis, but did not tell me if we needed to check the Atlas bone alignment. He told me I had to wear padding in my shoes on the short leg. I knew that this was not right. My lower back pain and knee pain and overall fatigue were dampeners when it came to living a normal life, including playing with my kids (8yr old boy, and 4 yr old girl). But, you know, God has a plan for us. My work and family brought me to Dallas, and through Jenny, I came to know about Healthworks.
I visited the Healthworks website and read about the write-ups from Dr. Taylor and Dr. Christy. Your stories gave me faith and I thus embarked on a journey with Healthworks Family Chiropractic.
Dr. Taylor corrected my Atlas bone, and this corrected my hip alignment. Dr. Christy gives me weekly adjustments, and I’m amazed at how the doctors know which bones or muscles need correction by just moving the neck, arms, and legs. This has reduced my overall body pain, knee pain, and lower back pain. I can lead a normal life now, sit and get up normally without knee pain, and play with my kids as long as I want.
I also have my inflammation reduced by laser therapy and get the regular machine massage on my hips and lower back. That really relaxes my lower back a lot. Immense thanks to CJ for his help. I have my once a month Organ reflex exam by Dr. Taylor, where I get to know what nutritional corrections I need to make, and now I feel a lot better than I was 3 months ago. I have also started to follow a healthy diet and regular exercise. I feel strong and healthy now. I also get the ion cleanse by CJ, which helps to cleanse out toxins from my internal organs. The benefits of knowledgeable chiropractic care cannot be summed up in just words alone.
Aside from the chiropractic care, I’m treated like family by the doctors, Kaitlyn, and CJ, and it is always a joy to come to Healthworks Family Chiropractic, knowing you are in good hands. I do really feel a lot more flexible and stronger now and that is because, again I reiterate, due to the knowledgeable chiropractic care at Healthworks Family Chiropractic.”
Sincerely, Shinoj Yohannan
Our promise to you
HealthWorks Family Chiropractic is dedicated to a comprehensive and specific approach to taking care of spinal and nervous system needs. Let us help you find out how taking care of the most important system in the body will create optimal health that will last a lifetime!
If we find we’re not the best to help with your condition, we promise to refer you to someone who is.