As a patient, it’s important that you understand the different types of care your chiropractor may offer. Not all chiropractors offer the same services, and not all services are appropriate for every patient.
That’s why we’re here to help you learn about the different types of upper cervical chiropractic care. We’ll explain the basics of each type of care and help you determine which is right for you.
What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specific type of chiropractic treatment that focuses on the top two vertebrae in your cervical spine. These vertebrae, called the atlas and axis, are responsible for the movement and stability of your head.
If they’re out of alignment, it can cause a range of health problems including neck pain, headaches, and even vertigo. Upper cervical chiropractors specialize in correcting these problems and restoring the alignment of the atlas and axis. This can help relieve pain and other symptoms, and improve your overall health.
The Different Types of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Techenque
Atlas/Axis Adjustment
When it comes to upper cervical chiropractic care, the atlas and axis are two of the most important bones in the spinal column. The atlas is the topmost bone in the neck, and the axis sits right below it.
These two bones play a crucial role in your overall health, as they help to support your head and neck. If they’re not properly aligned, it can cause all sorts of problems, from chronic pain to migraines and even digestive issues.
That’s where an atlas/axis adjustment comes in. This is a specific type of chiropractic care that is used to correct any misalignments in these two bones. It’s a gentle and safe procedure that can provide relief for many common health problems.
The Diversified Technique
When you go in for your upper cervical chiropractic care, the first thing your doctor is likely to do is perform a Diversified Technique. This is the most common type of adjustment and is used to correct misalignments in the neck. It relies on a manual thrust that is applied to the vertebrae in order to restore proper alignment.
The Gonstead Method
The fourth type of upper cervical chiropractic care is the Gonstead Method. It was developed by Dr. Clarence Gonstead, a national chiropractic leader, in the 1930s. The Gonstead Method is focused on using precise and detailed analysis to identify and correct problems in the spine.
To perform this type of adjustment, the chiropractor will use their hands to apply specific torque and force in precise angles. This helps to bring the vertebrae back into alignment, which can restore natural movement of the neck and reduce pain.
The main goal of this method is to deliver a specific, precise, and accurate correction that will address the underlying issue causing your neck pain or discomfort. Because it’s so specific, practitioners who use this method must have extensive training and experience for it to be effective.
Activator Methods Technique
Activator Methods Technique is a type of upper cervical chiropractic care that, while similar to other techniques, differs in its use of an instrument known as the Activator Adjusting Instrument. This instrument is designed to give a low force adjustment designed to realign the vertebrae and reduce tissue tension, improving the overall function of the body.
The pre-set force used by the Activator Adjusting Instrument allows for more precision when targeting joints which helps reduce any excess stress on other nearby areas of your body, making it a great choice if you’re apprehensive about manual adjustments.
Plus, the Activator Adjusting Instrument also helps create a very gentle and specific adjustment without any popping or cracking sounds (which can be off-putting to some patients). At the same time as being gentle, it’s still powerful enough to correct vertebral misalignment and improve range of motion, reducing pain and promoting better overall health.
Blair Upper Cervical Technique
The Blair Upper Cervical Technique is a form of specific upper cervical chiropractic care that focuses on the top two vertebrae (C1 and C2) of the neck. It is based on the theory that misalignments in these vertebrae can cause problems with the nervous system and ultimately result in various health conditions.
This particular technique uses a combination of light force adjustments, x-rays, and palpation. Chiropractors use adjusting instruments to detect misalignment in joints while they are in motion. Once a misalignment has been detected, gentle force is applied to restore normal movement and positioning of the neck vertebrae.
What sets this technique apart from other upper cervical techniques is its focus on precision and accuracy. The procedure has been documented extensively to ensure that chiropractors can maintain high standards for patient safety and care, as well as ensure optimal results. This makes Blair Upper Cervical a great choice for those who want a precise form of upper cervical care with long-term benefits.
Benefits of Each Type of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
So what are the benefits from each type of upper cervical Chiropractic care? Let’s take a look at the most common types.
NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) utilizes a very specific and gentle adjustment to align your atlas vertebra, which is the topmost bone of your spine. It also encourages whole body balance and proper functioning.
KST (Koren Specific Technique) is a whole-body balancing technique that looks at the structural and emotional components of health so that your body can heal itself instead of needing regular adjustments or manual manipulations.
Networking uses principles of NUCCA but applies them to the rest of the spine (not just the atlas). It is a gentle technique that works to restore the natural curvature of your spine and bones so that they can properly support your body.
Overall, each method has its own different set of benefits depending on your specific health issues and needs. It’s important for you to understand how each type works before making any decisions about treatment.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are a few different types of upper cervical chiropractic care. If you’re curious about any of them, be sure to speak with your chiropractor to get more information.
