Upper Cervical Chiropractic techniques (procedures) explained

Upper Cervical Doctors are trained to find upper neck spinal misalignments that interfere with normal neurological function. Objective tests are run to determine whether or not you have a spinal misalignment. If found a precise set of x-rays are taken to determine exactly what direction and how far you have misaligned. Once ascertained the data is used in a precise spinal correction to the offending vertebrae. Once the irritation is removed from the brain-stem the body goes through a healing process.

“Upper Cervical practitioners hypothesize based on their success in addressing many health conditions that the misalignment of the atlas is blocking communication to various parts of the body and thereby affecting the body’s own ability to correct the problem. “ Dr. Drew Hall, Los Angeles, CA

A number of different, but equally effective procedures or techniques are used by Upper Cervical doctors to achieve the results of correcting misalignments – a body imbalance condition. The result of these different approaches is to correct the alignment – restored body balance, so that natural healing body processes are restored.

What is the NUCCA procedure?

The NUCCA procedure is a gentle correction. characterized by a gentle touch and controlled contact on the first vertebrae in the neck that  is designed to restore balance to the spine. Even though the primary focus is the neck, the effects of the correction influences the whole spine and all body systems.

The NUCCA procedure brings several generations of clinical research to correcting the serious problem of the Atlas Subluxation Complex. By using precise and objective x-ray views of the head and neck, mathematical measurement and analysis are made of the misalignment.

Once the misalignment is understood by the doctor, there is no need for further x-rays because correlating the relationship between posture and upper cervical misalignment, allows posture to then be used thereafter to judge alignment. There is also often less need for repeated corrections because returning the bones of the neck to a normal position also normalizes function in the body.

What is the Grostic procedure?

The Grostic procedure is a natural health care system that creates more optimum body function by restoring Body Balance. It is a method within the chiropractic field characterized by a painless spinal correction, which restores body balance and reactivates the body’s natural healing ability.

The Grostic technique is a hugely effective method, which is based on the teachings and research of Dr. John Grostic. This technique was first introduced in the 1940’s to the chiropractic profession. It takes years of dedication and discipline to perfect the Grostic technique and even now, this technique is one of the best methods known for correcting misalignments of the upper cervical spine. The corrections are verified by the spinal x-rays, which are taken before and after the treatment which show measurable improvements in the alignment of the vertebrae in the neck.

What is the Atlas Orthagonal procedure?

Atlas Orthogonal is an engineering term. The Atlas vertebra is also known as C1, and is the top bone in the spine which supports the head. Orthogonal means 90 degrees, and in this case is specifically concerned with the relative position of the atlas in conjunction with the head and the rest of the cervical spine. The atlas supports the weight of the head most efficiently in the orthogonal or neutral position.
Atlas Orthogonal also refers to an upper cervical specific chiropractic adjusting technique invented by Dr. Roy W. Sweat. The history of treating the atlas goes back to the early 1900s when Dr. B.J. Palmer, the developer of chiropractic, spent many years of clinical research in discovering that it was the atlas that controlled the position of the head and the resulting position of the rest of the spine. Dr. Palmer taught to correct the atlas position using the hands with about 40 pounds of force.

The atlas adjustment involves using an instrument designed specifically to adjust the atlas vertebrae, and does not involve the “cracking” or “popping” the of vertebrae into place. The equipment delivers a precise percussion force designed to bring the atlas vertebrae back into alignment.

Atlas Orthogonal Technique is a system of adjusting subluxations of the cervical spine by means of its uppermost vertebra (C1, also known as the “atlas”). The Atlas Orthogonal Program was developed with specificity in mind. A Board Certified Atlas Orthogonal Doctor of Chiropractic uses specific x-ray views to determine the extent and direction of spinal misalignment. This analysis from the x-rays determines the vector or direction the doctor will adjust the spinal segment.

What is the Blair procedure?

The Blair chiropractic technique is a specific system of analyzing and adjusting the upper cervical vertebrae of the spinal column. When these vertebrae misalign in such a way as to interfere with the brain stem and spinal cord as they exit through the floor of the skull and into the neural canal. Special attention is given to the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas, and axis, as they are the most freely moveable vertebrae in the spinal column and the ones most commonly misaligned.

After many years of research and study of all the techniques that were developing at the time, Dr. B.J. Palmer the developer of chiropractic realized that the only place a person could truly have interference to the nervous system was at the level of the base of the skull; and the atlas and axis vertebrae. There are no intervertebral discs between the skull and the atlas, or between the atlas and axis vertebrae. Most movements of the head and neck occur at this level. and the joint surfaces in this area move more on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane as in the rest of the spine. This area is not supplied with the abundance of supporting ligaments that are found in the rest of the spine. As a result of these characteristics of the cervical spine, it becomes the weakest link in the chain when exposed to the forces of trauma such as the birth process, falls, auto accidents, stress etc. When a vertebra misaligns to the extent that it interferes with nerve tissue and reduces the mental impulses it is termed a subluxation. This interference is a state of body imbalance.

A subluxation may be present for months or years before producing any outward signs such as pain or symptoms, causing the body to break down to a state of diseases.

The purpose of the Blair Chiropractic technique is not to diagnose or treat diseases or conditions, but to analyze and correct vertebral subluxations in an accurate, precise and specific manner to allow the body’s intelligence, (see chiropractic philosophy) to mend, repair and maintain health from within – in other words to restore body balance. Dr. Palmer conducted studies in Germany on cadavers and found that the brain stem or medulla, extended into the neural canal down to the level of the lamina of the second cervical vertebrae, at which point it becomes the spinal cord extending downward. The brain stem has been referred to as “Houston Control”. It is the area where nerve cell centers are located that control many of the major functions of the body such as heart beat, respiration, digestion, elimination, our heating and cooling mechanism, constriction and dilation of the veins and arteries, muscle coordination, etc. Most of the functions of the body that we don’t have to consciously think about are controlled at the brain stem level.

The brain stem at the level of the atlas vertebrae consists of approximately ten billion nerve fibers sending messages through the spinal cord to the cells of the body and from the cells back to the brain. These nerve fibers are arranged in small bundles called nerve tracts. These nerve tracts are either sensory or motor. The sensory nerves allow us a function of the organs and systems while moving the body about it’s environment, via the musculoskeletal system. Gray’s Anatomy states, “the nervous system is the master system of the body controlling and coordinating all the functions of the body and relating the individual to his environment.”

What is the knee chest procedure?

Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific (KCUCS) is a precision upper cervical chiropractic procedure that the developer of chiropractic Dr. Bartlett Joshua Palmer researched, developed and then shared with the chiropractic profession in the spring of 1930 and he called it the HIO principle.

  • The proper position to receive the HIO Specific adjustment is in the knee-chest posture.
  • The HIO Specific adjustment is a method of specific vertebral adjusting whereby the subluxated vertebra is restored to its proper position by a specific application of force upon it with the hands, utilizing the natural elasticity and resistance in the spine of the patient.
  • The adjustment is a specific repositioning of the vertebrae to its proper position, removing the interference.