UPPER CERVICAL CHIROPRACTIC CARE PART 6: Which Upper Cervical Technique is Right for You?
In Part 6 we take a look at the different techniques under the umbrella of Upper Cervical and if it matters which one you receive. We also share insight into how to find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor near you.
A summary of what we’ll cover:
> The Common Objective of All Upper Cervical Techniques
> Techniques Under the Umbrella of Upper Cervical Care
> Does it Matter Which Upper Cervical Technique You Choose?
> What Adjustments Feel Like from Different Upper Cervical Techniques
> How Do I Find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor Near Me?
>
Recap:
> PART 1: The difference between regular Chiropractic and Upper Cervical
> PART 2: The Scanner - Computerized Infrared Thermography
> PART 5: What to expect in your Upper Cervical Care Program
Up next:
> PART 7: The most FAQs about Upper Cervical care
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The Common Objective of All Upper Cervical Techniques
If you’ve been reading this whole series then you already know that Upper Cervical care is a specialisation within Chiropractic. Under the umbrella of Upper Cervical there are numerous techniques, and you may have read about or seen some of them on the internet.
All Upper Cervical techniques have the same objective; to assess for pressure on the brainstem in the Occipital-Atlas-Axis area (also known as the Upper Cervical region of your spine) and facilitate a reduction of this pressure so that there is minimal interference to your central nervous system operating optimally.
Behind this scientific explanation also lies a deep chiropractic philosophy which is based on 33 core principles.
Our philosophy is that there is an innate intelligence within the body, that is actively organising the material (think physical) aspect of your body throughout your entire life. This can be interfered with by a vertebral subluxation.
A vertebral subluxation is a change in the biomechanics (movements) of one of your vertebra that creates an interference to your innate intelligence communicating freely through and over your nervous system.
This interference leads to a state of ‘dis-ease’ within you and your body. For us to be healing, functioning and living optimally we need ‘ease’ in our nervous system and body.
The overall aim of Upper Cervical Chiropractic care is to reduce pressure on the brainstem, which reduces interference to the autonomic nervous system function and allows the body to return from a state of dis-ease to a state of ease.
With an optimally functioning nervous system, free from interference, your body’s innate intelligence is free to do what it does best; run the show, keep you adapting to everyday life and stressors, bouncing back in a healthy, resilient way.
Techniques Under the Umbrella of Upper Cervical Care
While there are numerous Upper Cervical techniques, some of the most common ones you may have come across in your research are:
Blair
NUCCA
Knee Chest (Specific or KCUS)
Atlas Orthogonal
Toggle Recoil
Does it Matter Which Upper Cervical Technique You Choose?
The short answer is no.
The more nuanced answer is, maybe - depending on your symptom history (and maybe your preference).
Lets dive into it.
Whilst all approaches of delivering Upper Cervical care are great for anyone with an Upper Cervical subluxation, and having it taken care of is going to benefit you regardless, having spoken to numerous colleagues we all have come to a similar conclusion about a certain group of clients.
What we have seen from experience is that people with more sensitive systems, and clients with symptoms such as tinnitus, Meniere’s disease and auto-immune type issues tend to (and this is obviously a generalisation but I want to be as transparent as possible in sharing information with you) respond better to the lighter style adjustments used within NUCCA and Blair or the instrument delivered adjustments in Atlas Orthogonal. They also seem to respond better to Toggle Recoil.
Knee Chest specific can be a heavier adjustment and we believe its sometimes too stimulating for these clients. At KOEO, we adapt the intensity and style of the Upper Cervical adjustment according to the clients needs. I regularly interchange between a Toggle Recoil style adjustment and Knee Chest depending on whats going to best for your body.
For everyone else, any Upper Cervical technique is going to be great.
Important: Something to note (especially if you are switching between Upper Cervical Chiropractors) due to moving countries, for example.
Each technique feels slightly or significantly different to receive. If you are used to one style of adjustment it can feel quite alien to receive one from a different technique. This doesn’t mean its not working or wrong, its just a very different experience with how it feels to receive. The objective and outcome is the same.
What Adjustments Feel Like from Different Upper Cervical Techniques
This again is so personal, but my aim here is to give you an overview, to the best of my knowledge, so that you know what to expect
From my experience and talking with many clients about this, the common observations around how the different techniques feel are:
Blair and NUCCA feel very light, almost as if you are barely being touched. There is no pushing or popping sounds.
Atlas Orthogonal is also super light, however the adjustment itself its made with a very fine instrument. There is no pushing or popping sounds.
With Toggle Recoil you feel the part of the table underneath your head drop away, and this can sound quite noisy. There is rarely any popping sound and although the table drops it feels like a light and fast pressure.
Knee Chest you feel more of a push however it is very quick. It can create the release of gas from the joint when the adjustment is made, which if it happens can sound super loud as where the adjustment made in the top of your neck, is very close to your ear.
If you aren’t used to this gas ‘popping’ or ‘cracking’ noise it can be scary the first time if no-one warned you (although I’m sure your Chiropractor is amazing and definitely let you know what to expect).
So now you’re ready to embark on your Upper Cervical journey, the next question is:
How Do I Find an Upper Cervical Chiropractor Near Me?
Before we dive into the main ways we know of, its important to know that whilst Upper Cervical Chiropractic is super common across the USA, in all other countries there are very few chiropractors practising in this specialised way. It may not be possible to find someone super close to you and you might have to travel some distance to your nearest Upper Cervical Chiropractor.
We hope more Chiropractors chose to dedicate themselves to this beautiful way of taking care of people in the future, so one there is much more easy access to care. If you’re a Chiropractor and want to speak to us about your interest in Upper Cervical Chiropractic, drop Sophie an email!
Website - There are a few websites that dedicate themselves to being directories of Upper Cervical Chiropractors.
Europe - Facebook Page - One of our amazing clients who travels from Norway for care decided to create a Facebook page dedicated to sharing about Upper Cervical Chiropractors across Europe.
Ask Us - If you’re struggling to find anyone nearby send us an email with your city, country and postal code. We will happily reach out to our network of colleagues across the world and do our best to find you a great Upper Cervical Chiropractor.
Consider A Trip to Barcelona - we regularly have clients travel from countries across Europe for 1-3 week intensive care programs. Whilst this can feel daunting we have experience with formulating the best possible care program for all our international clients who do not live nearby. Drop us an email or book in for a complimentary 15 minute phone consultation to discuss your situation with Sophie.
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