How do I know if it has happened to me?

Atlas Vertebral Subluxation Complex occurs when the Atlas (C 1), and/or rarely Axis (C 2), the top two vertebra in the neck, are misaligned and out of their proper position. This can occur as a result of an accident, emotional trauma, or chemical toxicity in the body. Childbirth itself can move the Atlas out of position because of the massive amounts of pressure on the head and neck of the baby as it passes down the birth canal. Or childhood accidents like falling from a tree, bike or skates can misalign it. In adulthood, the Atlas can be shoved out of position during minor or major accidents such as sporting accidents, automobile accidents or slips and falls. Some of the worst cases of Atlas misalignment and resulting pain have been caused by minor car accidents such as being rear-ended. One simple indication of an Atlas Vertebral Subluxation Complex is having one leg slightly shorter than the other. You may also notice that when you stand in front of a mirror one shoulder is slightly higher than another, and one hip is higher than the other. Another indication your Atlas may be out of position is by having different symptoms in your body that your MEDICAL DOCTOR CANNOT EXPLAIN or find the cause for on any tests.


Is it painful or dangerous to correct?

Fortunately, no. The SPECIFIC CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENT can be described as a brisk thrust applied to the Atlas (C 1) to the region behind the ear. This thrust is accompanied by a loud drop of the headpiece where the head was postioned. There is never any twisting and/or cracking of the neck. This correction is engineered to reposition the weight of the head (10 to 14 pounds) over the center of the body in order to restore body balance and restore brain to body communication. When the correction is made, muscles begin to relax, blood and oxygen circulation is increased, the brain is able to communicate with the affected area, and the body's natural healing process begins. The healing process continues as long as body balance is maintained and the brain can communicate with all parts of the body.

Does it have to be corrected often?

That depends on your own body and the physical demands you place upon it. Some people can hold their correction for several months, even a year at a time. Others have to be corrected once every two to three weeks in the beginning, then one or twice a month. Everyone is made different, therefore everyone will respond diferently. Our objective is to make as precise correction in order for you to maintain the correction with as few corrections as possible so that you may live pain free and enjoy a better quality of life. Periodic checkups are essential, just like dental checkups and physicals, should be part of your personal preventive health care program. If you are maintaining your correction and no neurological pressure is present, then there is no need for an adjustment.


Are radiologic films (x-rays) necessary?

Yes, they are the cornerstone of our practice and we are very specialized in the latest radiologic proceedures. Our offices are equiped with 3-D laser aligned "computerized radiography" units with leaded protection, thus keeping radiation down to a minimum. In other words, in order for our doctors to CORRECTLY analyze the area of clinical interest, we must first examine all skeletal structures in the neck. Any shift the Atlas makes can cause multiple health problems. But sometimes that shift in position is no greater than a couple of millimeters. Our doctors have to rely on radiographic images to determine the exact position your Atlas vertebrae has misaligned. The specific analysis of the radiographic images will allow the doctor how to reposition your Atlas is the correct direction. Our doctors will make the correction only after an intensive analysis of how far out of position your Atlas veretebrae is.

How much does it cost?

A fraction of what you have probably already spent in your quest to get well. There will be some expense at the beginning because of the initial examinations and radiographic images necessary. But our facility provides various payment programs that enables you and your family to get affordable care as soon as possible. Since insurance companies do not distinguish between one form of chiropractic procedure or another, if you have insurance that covers chiropractic care, then it should cover our servies as well. If you you are not sure as to whether your specific insurance policy covers chiropractic care, then please feel free to contact our offices in order to better determine coverage.


If the Upper Cervical Chiropractic is so good, why haven't I heard about it before?

There are specific reasons why you have never heard about this before, and unfortunately, they are political. First, everyone is aware of the war that has been going on between the medical profession and the chiropractic profession over the last 100 years. Whenever there is a war, there is always a black out of information to the public at large. For example, 6 years ago when we tried to discuss upper cervical chiropractic care with any medical facility, the moment we mentioned the word "chiropractic", a thick wall went up. We never were given the chance to describe how advanced chiropractic at large as become and there are phenomenal procedures like this one available to people today. The medical prejudice we encountered prevented us from being able to share this information with doctors and nurses who work with people who desperately needed this information, the very information that would have helped their patients avoid surgery in many cases and avoid the consumption of drugs with dangerous side effects. Because the doctors and nurses themselves did not know about this type of healthcare, and in some cases, they chose not to know, their patients have paid a high price for their MEDICAL PROFESSION"S IGNORANCE. Fortunately, through chiropractic research and public information more and more people are discovering what upper cervical chiropractic care is and are referring more and more of their patients to upper cervical chiropractic facilties. The scientific community has ACKNOWLEDGED that constantly prescribing medication and pharmaceuticals are ineffective and is actually creating additional problems in the world population. Some progressive medical doctors are now becoming some of our greatest allies. One day we sincerely hope that the medical and chiropractic professions will work side-by-side for the benefit of public health. The second reason you've never heard about this procedure before is because of certain laws which prevent chiropractors of any particular procedure, from freely advertising the procedure they have dedicated their lives to learning. If a chiropractor does this, he could be severely fined and/or threatened with the loss of his license. The unfortunate result of these laws, however, is that it has produced such fear in chiropractors who practice almost exclusively a specific type of chiropractic, that they simply are forced to remain silent about the benefits of their procedure. A law meant to protect the public has actually created a moratorium on vital information that could be of tremendous benefit and cost savings to the public.