Upper Cervical Chiropractic
Upper Cervical Chiropractic
Upper Cervical Chiropractic focuses on restoring balance and stability to the upper cervical spine while supporting the entire spine from top to bottom. This approach uses ultra-technical, low-force chiropractic adjustments without popping, twisting, or cracking, making it ideal for patients seeking a gentle yet highly effective method. Each visit includes a detailed structural and neurological analysis, incorporating QSM3 (Quantum Spinal Mechanics³) principles and laser postural analysis to understand how upper cervical imbalances influence the myofascial system and the body’s interconnected Anatomy Train patterns.
In addition to this specialized work, treatment may include full-spine chiropractic techniques such as flexion–distraction for disc issues, Y-strap spinal decompression, and traditional corrective methods from Gonstead, Thompson, and Palmer Package systems. Care also integrates sports-specific extremity adjusting along with precise instrument-assisted and hands-on manual chiropractic adjustments. The result is a calm, precise, and highly individualized experience that promotes postural balance, improved mobility, and long-lasting nervous-system regulation.
Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from Spinal Misalignments
Radiating pain up to the back and/or top of the head.
Pain in the temple and/or behind the eyes and/or ears.
Numbness or abnormal sensation on one side of the face and/or tongue.
Sensitivity to light.
Fatigue.
Dizziness
Nausea.
Patients have experienced relief from neck pain, headaches, chronic fatigue, numbness and pain in the shoulders and hands to name a few. Clearing the upper cervical subluxation is one of the most import and power keys to allowing the healing power within the body to do its magic.
Evidence-Informed Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care isn't simply about “cracking your back.” Modern chiropractic care combines careful examination, spinal and joint assessment, movement evaluation, and targeted manual treatment.
A growing body of clinical research has evaluated spinal manipulation for common musculoskeletal conditions.
Low Back Pain
Spinal manipulation is one of several evidence-based conservative approaches used for low-back pain.
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in JAMA found spinal manipulative therapy was associated with modest improvements in pain and function in people experiencing acute low-back pain.¹
For chronic low-back pain, a major BMJ systematic review of 47 randomized trials involving more than 9,000 patients found spinal manipulation produced similar outcomes to other recommended therapies and showed improvements in function in some comparisons.²
A 2026 Cochrane systematic review involving 76 studies and 11,866 participants similarly found that spinal manipulation may improve pain and function in adults with chronic low-back pain, although the certainty and magnitude of benefit varied depending on what treatment it was compared with.³
Headaches Related to the Neck
Chiropractic and manual therapy may also be helpful for certain headaches originating from structures of the neck.
In a randomized clinical trial of 110 patients with cervicogenic headache, upper-cervical and upper-thoracic manipulation produced greater improvements in headache intensity and disability than mobilization and exercise. Patients receiving manipulation also reported reduced headache frequency and duration at three-month follow-up.⁴
Our Approach
At Tickel Chiropractic, we don't believe every patient needs the same adjustment—or that chiropractic care is the answer to every health problem.
Our approach combines QSM3 upper-cervical care, postural and functional assessment, full-spine chiropractic when appropriate, movement, bodywork, and other therapeutic techniques to create care specific to the individual.
The goal is simple:
Improve movement. Reduce pain. Restore function. Help you get back to living.
Research
Paige NM, et al. Association of Spinal Manipulative Therapy With Clinical Benefit and Harm for Acute Low Back Pain: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2017;317(14):1451–1460.
Rubinstein SM, et al. Benefits and harms of spinal manipulative therapy for the treatment of chronic low back pain: systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. BMJ. 2019;364.
de Zoete A, et al. Spinal manipulative therapy for adults with chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2026; Issue 1.
Dunning JR, et al. Upper cervical and upper thoracic manipulation versus mobilization and exercise in patients with cervicogenic headache: a multi-center randomized clinical trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2016;17:64.
Research findings represent population-level outcomes and do not guarantee individual results. Treatment recommendations are based on each patient's history, examination, presentation, and clinical needs.