What is UC? Definition and description 
Specific Upper Cervical Chiropractic care is a safe and accurate procedure that corrects 
the position of the top vertebrae of the spine, the atlas and/or axis. The Upper Cervical 
Chiropractor specializes in adjusting the atlas and axis which are located in the neck in 
the cervical spine. The misalignment of these two vertebrae is called Vertebral 
Subluxation Complex. By correcting the misalignment of these vertebrae, the body is 
able to overcome the affects or completely eliminate many different conditions and 
health problems, including pain and disease.  The adjustment allows the entire spine to 
reposition itself and removes interference or compression in the nervous system.


Vertebral Subluxation OR Atlas (c-1) & Axis (C-2) misalignment
The Atlas is a single, 2 oz, doughnut shaped vertebra at the top of the spine. Trillions of 
nerve fibers from the brainstem travel thought the opening in the atlas and flow down 
into the spinal column. The opening through the Atlas is small so  if it is moved out of 
position even a fraction of a degree the nerves become restricted and the messages 
from the brain to different parts of the body are distorted. The result is body imbalance, 
improper nerve function, disease and pain.  Because of where they are located, the top 
two vertebrae are particularly vulnerable to injury, making it the most common location 
for spinal problems to occur.

When a vertebra misaligns with an adjacent vertebra in such a way that it alters normal 
nerve function, it is called Vertebral Subluxation. The misalignment causes the head to 
move off center from the spine which will cause the spine to compensate and shift out 
of its normal position. This, in turn, causes an imbalance in the body from head to toe as 
more weight is shifted to one side of the body than the other. Additionally, when the 
vertebrae shifts or tilts it can pinch or compress the nerves running through the spine from 
the brain to different organs and parts of the body. This compression impedes the passage 
of nerve impulses, or signals, causing restriction or distortion in the nerve messages therefore 
interfering with the body's ability to maintain a healthy state. When the vertebrae are 
rotated out of position, they can twist the entire spinal structure, including the pelvis, so 
that one leg becomes shorter than the other. Not having the atlas corrected to restore 
body balance is like continuing to drive a car that is misaligned. Although the tires can be 
replaced, unless the cars alignment is corrected, they will wear out at a much faster rate, 
costing more money. Over time everything is going to break down. The same is true for 
headaches, ADD and hundreds of other conditions known to respond well to Upper 
Cervical Chiropractic care. Taking medication, doing physical therapy, utilizing medical 
and alternative procedures and techniques may help to improve health conditions,  but if 
the atlas is out of alignment, the condition is not going to go away until the alignment of 
the atlas is corrected. This is because only the symptoms of the problem have been 
addressed, not the cause. In order for the body to function properly it must receive 
uninterrupted signals for the brain. Removing Vertebral Subluxation is critical to overall 
health because the nervous system controls all functions, organs and cells of the body. 
The pathway of the nervous system, within the spine, is critical in allowing these signals to 
be relayed accurately as they control functions throughout the entire body. When the 
structural misalignment of the axis and/or axis occurs, the brain stem is compressed and the 
transmission of messages from the brain is distorted. The result is health problems and pain 
that can be felt in any part of the body. The weight of the head must be repositioned over 
the center of the neck to relieve the problems and pain associated with the misalignment. 
The removal of vertebral Subluxation can influence and optimize the functioning of the 
nervous system and can optimize functioning of all organs in the body. The chiropractor's 
objective is to correct vertebral Subluxation and restore proper nerve function in order to 
activate the healing messages of the brain and allow the body to function at its 
maximum potential.


Brain and Spine Communication through the Nervous System
The human brain communicates through a large and intricate network of nerves 
connecting different organs and systems of the body, much like a computer network 
connecting multiple computers, printers and fax machines. Constant communication 
through this network is critical for the proper function and health of every cell, organ and 
system in the body. If the cells, organs and tissues throughout the body are not receiving 
adequate nerve energy and communication from the brain, they will suffer and degenerate.

The spine transmits information back and forth between the brain and the body and is 
protected by the spinal column. When injuries occur to spinal segments such as trauma 
from automobile accidents, falls, sports injuries and the birth process, the spinal vertebrae 
may misalign and irritate the surrounding nerves.

The atlas and axis have been isolated as the most significant in the spinal column 
because they are located in the critical junction between the brain and the spine.

The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions in our bodies, including our 
immune system. Misalignment in the upper cervical spine causes irritation to the nerves 
passing through from the brain to the entire body below the neck. Any and all functions of 
the body can be affected by the spine at this level therefore creating numerous health 
problems. The irritation or compression on the nerves in the upper cervical spine causes the 
nerve to function improperly and can contribute to other nervous system disorders, poor 
healing of injuries, inflammation, headaches, numerous pain syndromes, decreased immune 
function and stress to the gastrointestinal, endocrine, and cardiovascular systems 
among others.


Benefits if UC Care
The healing that happens when the atlas and/or axis are properly aligned is phenomenal. 
The future of your health depends on it. The adjustment to align the Atlas and Axis does not 
cure anything but the proper alignment restores the brain-to-body communication and 
allows the body the optimal conditions to heal itself. 

History of Chiropractic and UC Care
Doctor D. D. Palmer first discovered the healing power of chiropractic in the late 1800's. 
In 1895 a janitor named Harvey Lillard worked in Palmer's Davenport, Iowa office building. 
One day while lifting a heavy box, Harvey felt a pop in his neck, and slowly proceeded to 
lose almost all of his hearing. Dr. Palmer asked Harvey Lillard if he could examine him even 
though the injury had occurred quite some time before. Palmer found an unusually positioned 
vertebra in Lillards neck. With Lillard's permission, Dr. Palmer "racked the bone back into 
better juxtaposition with the bones around it." In just a few minutes, Lillard reported to once 
again be able to "hear the hooves of the horses on the cobblestones street below the 
window." Palmer thought he had found the cure for deafness and immediately placed large 
advertisements in the Davenport papers. Dozens of hearing impaired people of all ages 
flocked to his office. However, only a few had the same result that Lillard experienced. Many 
did note changes in the functions of other parts of their bodies. Some noted improved 
digestion and elimination; more restful and sound sleep; headaches went away; as did 
asthma and bronchitis and allergies. Couples experiencing fertility issues conceived; and the 
list went on and on. That was the beginning of Chiropractic.

Palmer eventually opened the Palmer School of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa along with 
his son B.J. The main focus for them was the upper cervical portion of the spine. They found 
through careful use and analysis of x-ray pictures of that area, they could determine the 
extent and direction of Subluxation and thus correct it.

Then in the 1930's his son, B.J. Palmer observed that when the Upper Cervical was very 
precisely corrected, it had a dynamic effect on the whole spine and overall health of the 
entire body. That discovery led to the development of the first Upper Cervical procedures 
done by hand. Dr. B.J. Palmer continued to conduct intensive research on this very specific 
form of adjusting the top two vertebrae of the spine: the Atlas (C1) and the Axis (C2).

These difficult procedures developed by Dr. Palmer were called HIO (Hole-in-One), 
Toggle-Recoil and Knee Chest (Note: the knee-chest is not an adjustment of the knee or 
chest. It is simply the position the patient assumes when their Upper Cervical spine is being 
corrected). Other forms of hand adjusting have been developed by other Upper Cervical 
doctors using different approaches to correct the misalignment of C1 and C2. A few of these 
are Grostic, Orthospinology, Blair and NUCCA.  Although all of these procedures differ in 
technique and philosophy, each one has a singular goal, and that is to correct the Upper 
Cervical spine. 

By the mid 20th century, UC chiropractors began investigating instruments to correct the 
Upper Cervical spine. They include: The Life Upper Cervical Instrument by Cecil Laney, D.C., 
The Atlas Orthogonal Instrument by Roy Sweat, DC and the S.O.N.A.R. Instrument by Tom 
Elliott, to name a few. The UC Chiropractic field is on the verge of major innovations and 
discoveries as other forms of UC hand and instrument adjusting techniques are constantly 
being developed.

Upper Cervical chiropractic is perhaps one of the least understood techniques by the public 
and by many Doctors of Chiropractic, too! It is not a procedure that can be learned in a 
single weekend seminar and put into practice on Monday morning. It takes many hours of 
study and practice to completely correct the Atlas Subluxation Complex. The physical 
coordination to do the adjustment takes time to develop. The use of the specialized x-ray 
equipment and accurate analysis of the x-rays takes much practice to master. 


Exam and adjustment procedure (technique)
The initial exam requires identifying the alignment of the atlas and axis. A standard X-ray is not 
effective in determining this so precision, laser aligned x-ray equipment is used since it can be 
adjusted for accuracy. The equipment includes a specialized frame designed to maintain it's 
alignment as the patient is positioned by a laser system that eliminate image distortion. 
The x-rays are then examined to determine if Subluxation exists.

In addition to using x-rays to determine the vertebras alignment, Paraspinal Digital 
Infrared Imaging is used to detect irritation in the central nervous system. The equipment
is painless and non-invasive. It consists of a highly sensitive computerized thermo graphic 
(heat-measuring) instrument that is gently rolled along the back of the neck. The instrument's 
scanning capabilities assist in diagnosing spinal injuries and also aid in determining whether 
an individual's spine is misaligned or properly positioned.

If Subluxation is identified (initially from the x-rays and at subsequent visits from the infrared 
scan) then the atlas will be repositioned either by hand or instrument. There are several 
techniques within the Upper Cervical field and how your atlas is adjusted will depend on 
which technique your doctor has been trained to perform. The doctor applies slight pressure 
on one side of the neck to gently reposition the head over the center of the neck. The 
process feels like a light tap, a brisk thrust, or a soft massage at the side of the neck as the 
atlas is moved back into place. The patient feels no twisting, jerking motion or cracking of 
the neck. Patients are often surprised how anticlimactic the procedure is but over a period 
of tine they notice and feel their bodies healing. The procedure itself cures nothing. It simply 
restores body balance and brain-to-body communication so that the organs, limbs and 
tissues can resume normal functioning. The body can heal itself when the atlas and axis are 
precisely aligned. This is why so many different conditions respond to the same procedure.


Maintenance and spine care
It is very important to be checked by an upper cervical chiropractor to determine first of 
all whether or not you have Subluxation. If your atlas and axis are not properly aligned and 
remain out of position for years, degeneration of organ, muscle and cell tissue results. Over 
time the problems could become more serious. Often pain is the last symptom to occur 
when a problem exists somewhere in the body. Unfortunately, many of us wait too long to 
get our atlases corrected. The reason is that many of us simply do not understand or know 
about the vital role the atlas plays in the health of the entire body throughout our lifetime. 
It is important that parents have their children checked for Subluxation soon after birth and 
follow with periodic checks throughout their childhood as countless problems could be 
avoided entirely. A correctly aligned atlas is fundamental to good health from birth till the 
end of ones life.

Upper Cervical chiropractic care is most beneficial when used as part of a preventative 
maintenance health care program, along with regular exercise and proper nutrition. Much 
like a car requires maintenance such as oil changes and teeth require brushing and flossing, 
maintaining correct spinal alignment can greatly improve your health and eliminate or 
alleviate symptoms. It is best to prevent rather than treat symptoms since symptoms are 
often late stages of abnormal functions in the body. Correcting vertebral Subluxation can 
result in fewer health problems since the body is best prepared to fight off disease and 
maintain normal function. In the long run it is far more cost effective than treating illness, 
disease and pain.

Although the benefits of chiropractic care can seem like a miracle, the chiropractor is not 
a miracle worker. If the body has undergone years of symptoms it may take time for the 
body to respond and heal. The process and results can vary among individuals based on 
a variety of health and genetic factors. No one, not even the chiropractor, can give you 
a timeline or promise any particular result. Your body must do the healing, the chiropractor 
simply removes vertebral Subluxation so that the healing can begin. Continued care 
ensures the healing can continue.

Find An Upper Cervical Doctor
If you live in the St. Louis area, I highly recommend Dr. Vishon & Dr. LaGarce of Specific 
Chiropractic. They have an office in Chesterfield and another in O'Fallon. They use the 
knee-chest technique.

If you live in the Seattle area, highly recommend Dr. Brett Bolton of Chiropractic USA. His office is in Bellevue. He uses the Blair technique. I also recommend Dr. Abramson in Snohomish. He uses the NUCCA approach.

If you live in the Tucson area, I highly recommend Dr. Camacho. He uses the knee-chest technique.

To find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor in your area visit the following websites:

©2001 keely.net All rights reserved.