Resources
FAQs
Upper Cervical FAQs
Q - What is the Nervous System?
A - A system of Nerves that send and receive signals from and to the brain, to every part and cell of your body. It controls the way your body moves, feels and functions.
Q - What is Cervical?
A - The Latin-derived term cervical means "of the neck." The neck supports the weight of the head and is highly flexible, allowing the head to turn and flex in different directions. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebral bones identified as C1 through C7 vertebrae. The first two, C1 and C2, are highly specialized and are given unique names: “Atlas” and “Axis”, respectively. C3 -C7 are more classic vertebrae, having a body, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints.
Q - What is Upper Cervical?
A – The specialization of practice concentrating on the C1-C2 Vertebrae.
C1 and C2 form a unique set of articulations that provide a great degree of mobility for the skull. C1 serves as a ring or washer that the skull rests upon and articulates in a pivot joint with the dens or odontoid process of C2
Q – What makes C1-C2 so special?
A – C1-C2, the Atlas and Axis Vertebrae, are the top two vertebrae bones upon which your head (skull) rests and through which the spinal cord must pass inside a narrow area. The slightest misalignment here can cause nerve (and, or Arterial/Venous) interference that can affect just about any area of the body. In addition, a misalignment may cause the rest of the spin to twist and deform in order to balance your head which, by the way, weighs about 12 -14 pounds.
Q - What is an Upper Cervical Doctor?
A – Typically, it is a Doctor who has undergone advanced training in the Upper Cervical discipline of Chiropractic Practice.
Q - What is “Blair” Upper Cervical?
A – One of several types of advanced Upper Cervical modalities developed by Doctor William G. Blair. Doctors of Chiropractic receive advanced training in the Blair Technique, and are then Certified as Blair Specialists.
Q - How specialized is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
A – Very. While a rapidly growing field, currently there are only about 1500 Chiropractors Certified as Upper Cervical Specialists worldwide.
Q - What conditions can Upper Cervical Care Help?
A – That is quite a long answer. Since there is a nerve for every part of the body that passes through the C1-C2 joint, any part of the body could be affected by an impinged nerve at this location, resulting in either pain or dysfunction or both. It is an often-overlooked, possible area of concern in standard medical diagnosis, and the main reason so many people with so many conditions suffer needlessly often while taking drugs to mask the pain or dysfunction.
Q-Do I have to feel pain in the head, neck or shoulder, to benefit from Upper Cervical Care?
A – No. While pain is what initially brings most people to our office, because the Brain and Nervous System control every part of your body, many other conditions you would never associate with your head or neck, are indeed caused by a subluxation of the C1-C2 vertebrae. A relatively quick check up can rule out or confirm an Upper Cervical problem.
Q - Is it possible to avoid or get off my pain, or other medications, using Upper Cervical treatments?
A – Yes, if, of course, the source of the problem is a dislocation of the Upper Cervical area. Numerous patient reports show root cause conditions formally treated with drugs and other methods have indeed cleared up with Upper Cervical treatments.
Q - How are the diagnosis made?
A – Medical History, Physical Exam, Thermography, and Blair View 3 Dimensional X-Rays.
Q - What makes Blair View 3D X-Rays so special?
A – Using multiple multi-directional views, the Blair 3D X-Rays provide a comprehensive and accurate picture that often escapes conventional X-Ray, MRI, Cat Scans, etc. This is why conventional diagnostics often return “normal” results while the Blair View 3D X-Rays correctly and accurately identify the problem.
Q - How are the Blair View 3D X-Rays used?
A – First, to confirm the initial diagnosis of cervical subluxation. Then, prioritizing precision over force, the exact angles of correction specific to a particular patient are transferred to the patient’s neck so the Doctor can make an accurate low force correction.
Q - How is the Upper Cervical Adjustment made?
A – Using the precise angles indicated from the Blair View 3D X-Rays, the Doctor transfers these coordinates to your neck. You are lying down on an adjustment table with a comfortable articulating headpiece. When set with the precise angle of correction, and his specific hand placement, the Doctor provides a gentle but firm and deliberate push. You will hear the headpiece “click” and you will feel your head move very slightly.
Q - How comfortable is an Upper Cervical Adjustment?
A – Very. Because the Blair Method uses precision instead of force, and a special adjustment table that allows the head and neck to move ever so slightly at the precise moment of correction, the dislocated vertebrae glide comfortably past one another into their correct position. On the first visit, most patients typically say, “was that it?” Happily the answer is – Yes.
Q - What can I expect from my first office visit?
A - A review of your Problem/Complaint and Medical History. A Chiropractic Exam including Leg Length Analysis, a Thermography Scan, and a set of Blair View 3 Dimensional X-Rays.
Q - How many office visits will it take to address my problem?
A – That depends on how severe and how long the condition has been present. Some patients respond very quickly with only a few adjustmets needed, others take more time. The body needs time to repair/heal so the correction can hold. In the Upper Cervical Profession the saying is “Holding is Healing”. Depending on the severity and length of time the dislocation has been present a patient may need up to two or three corrections a week for the first few weeks tapering off to one a week, then every other week, then every third week, then once a month and then routine checkups. How long it takes to get to just routine checkups depends on the specific case. It is important to note that most patients feel relief after just the first visit. The goal is to train the body to HOLD the correction.
Q - Are periodic routine checkups and/or adjustments required or recommended?
A – Once your condition is corrected, it makes sense to monitor it so any correction - if any - can be done early. As patients heal, less frequent visits are needed. Two to four routine checkups per year are common. Dr. Mehl will recommend the interval based on your specific condition and history.
Q - Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic treatments covered by insurance?
A - Yes, just like any other Chiropractic Insurance Coverage, it will depend on your policy and if that particular insurer and plan is accepted by our office. Plan participation changes from time to time. Simply call our office to confirm your coverage.
Q - What if I have questions not answered here?
A – Just about any question can be answered during your first free, no-obligation consultation. You can also call our office.
Q - What is the Nervous System?
A - A system of Nerves that send and receive signals from and to the brain, to every part and cell of your body. It controls the way your body moves, feels and functions.
Q - What is Cervical?
A - The Latin-derived term cervical means "of the neck." The neck supports the weight of the head and is highly flexible, allowing the head to turn and flex in different directions. The cervical spine is made up of seven vertebral bones identified as C1 through C7 vertebrae. The first two, C1 and C2, are highly specialized and are given unique names: “Atlas” and “Axis”, respectively. C3 -C7 are more classic vertebrae, having a body, pedicles, laminae, spinous processes, and facet joints.
Q - What is Upper Cervical?
A – The specialization of practice concentrating on the C1-C2 Vertebrae.
C1 and C2 form a unique set of articulations that provide a great degree of mobility for the skull. C1 serves as a ring or washer that the skull rests upon and articulates in a pivot joint with the dens or odontoid process of C2
Q – What makes C1-C2 so special?
A – C1-C2, the Atlas and Axis Vertebrae, are the top two vertebrae bones upon which your head (skull) rests and through which the spinal cord must pass inside a narrow area. The slightest misalignment here can cause nerve (and, or Arterial/Venous) interference that can affect just about any area of the body. In addition, a misalignment may cause the rest of the spin to twist and deform in order to balance your head which, by the way, weighs about 12 -14 pounds.
Q - What is an Upper Cervical Doctor?
A – Typically, it is a Doctor who has undergone advanced training in the Upper Cervical discipline of Chiropractic Practice.
Q - What is “Blair” Upper Cervical?
A – One of several types of advanced Upper Cervical modalities developed by Doctor William G. Blair. Doctors of Chiropractic receive advanced training in the Blair Technique, and are then Certified as Blair Specialists.
Q - How specialized is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
A – Very. While a rapidly growing field, currently there are only about 1500 Chiropractors Certified as Upper Cervical Specialists worldwide.
Q - What conditions can Upper Cervical Care Help?
A – That is quite a long answer. Since there is a nerve for every part of the body that passes through the C1-C2 joint, any part of the body could be affected by an impinged nerve at this location, resulting in either pain or dysfunction or both. It is an often-overlooked, possible area of concern in standard medical diagnosis, and the main reason so many people with so many conditions suffer needlessly often while taking drugs to mask the pain or dysfunction.
Q-Do I have to feel pain in the head, neck or shoulder, to benefit from Upper Cervical Care?
A – No. While pain is what initially brings most people to our office, because the Brain and Nervous System control every part of your body, many other conditions you would never associate with your head or neck, are indeed caused by a subluxation of the C1-C2 vertebrae. A relatively quick check up can rule out or confirm an Upper Cervical problem.
Q - Is it possible to avoid or get off my pain, or other medications, using Upper Cervical treatments?
A – Yes, if, of course, the source of the problem is a dislocation of the Upper Cervical area. Numerous patient reports show root cause conditions formally treated with drugs and other methods have indeed cleared up with Upper Cervical treatments.
Q - How are the diagnosis made?
A – Medical History, Physical Exam, Thermography, and Blair View 3 Dimensional X-Rays.
Q - What makes Blair View 3D X-Rays so special?
A – Using multiple multi-directional views, the Blair 3D X-Rays provide a comprehensive and accurate picture that often escapes conventional X-Ray, MRI, Cat Scans, etc. This is why conventional diagnostics often return “normal” results while the Blair View 3D X-Rays correctly and accurately identify the problem.
Q - How are the Blair View 3D X-Rays used?
A – First, to confirm the initial diagnosis of cervical subluxation. Then, prioritizing precision over force, the exact angles of correction specific to a particular patient are transferred to the patient’s neck so the Doctor can make an accurate low force correction.
Q - How is the Upper Cervical Adjustment made?
A – Using the precise angles indicated from the Blair View 3D X-Rays, the Doctor transfers these coordinates to your neck. You are lying down on an adjustment table with a comfortable articulating headpiece. When set with the precise angle of correction, and his specific hand placement, the Doctor provides a gentle but firm and deliberate push. You will hear the headpiece “click” and you will feel your head move very slightly.
Q - How comfortable is an Upper Cervical Adjustment?
A – Very. Because the Blair Method uses precision instead of force, and a special adjustment table that allows the head and neck to move ever so slightly at the precise moment of correction, the dislocated vertebrae glide comfortably past one another into their correct position. On the first visit, most patients typically say, “was that it?” Happily the answer is – Yes.
Q - What can I expect from my first office visit?
A - A review of your Problem/Complaint and Medical History. A Chiropractic Exam including Leg Length Analysis, a Thermography Scan, and a set of Blair View 3 Dimensional X-Rays.
Q - How many office visits will it take to address my problem?
A – That depends on how severe and how long the condition has been present. Some patients respond very quickly with only a few adjustmets needed, others take more time. The body needs time to repair/heal so the correction can hold. In the Upper Cervical Profession the saying is “Holding is Healing”. Depending on the severity and length of time the dislocation has been present a patient may need up to two or three corrections a week for the first few weeks tapering off to one a week, then every other week, then every third week, then once a month and then routine checkups. How long it takes to get to just routine checkups depends on the specific case. It is important to note that most patients feel relief after just the first visit. The goal is to train the body to HOLD the correction.
Q - Are periodic routine checkups and/or adjustments required or recommended?
A – Once your condition is corrected, it makes sense to monitor it so any correction - if any - can be done early. As patients heal, less frequent visits are needed. Two to four routine checkups per year are common. Dr. Mehl will recommend the interval based on your specific condition and history.
Q - Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic treatments covered by insurance?
A - Yes, just like any other Chiropractic Insurance Coverage, it will depend on your policy and if that particular insurer and plan is accepted by our office. Plan participation changes from time to time. Simply call our office to confirm your coverage.
Q - What if I have questions not answered here?
A – Just about any question can be answered during your first free, no-obligation consultation. You can also call our office.
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