A recent study has shown that chiropractic care in the United States is on the rise. This is largely due to shifts in healthcare consumers having access to the data they need to make more informed healthcare decisions and seeking more holistic approaches to health. Chances are that if you’ve been struggling with chronic pain or chronic illness you’ve likely considered chiropractic care for relief, but maybe you’re unsure where to go. After all, there are different aspects of chiropractic care.
Perhaps in your search for relief, you’ve come across the terms upper cervical chiropractic and general chiropractic. Both types of chiropractic have their similarities, but each offers a different form of treatment. Learning more about the two types of chiropractic and the benefits of each can help you find the right care. At Atlas Specific, our goal is to help on your journey towards healthy living, and that’s why we’ve compiled some information on upper cervical chiropractic vs. general chiropractic treatment below.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic vs. General Chiropractic Care
The goal of both of these chiropractic care options is to provide patients with relief, but they each work in a slightly different manner. Before we get started, it’s important to note that all upper cervical chiropractic doctors are first trained as general chiropractors. The difference is that once they have completed this initial training they receive additional training and education in working with the delicate C1 (Atlas) and C2 (Axis) vertebrae in the neck.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Upper cervical chiropractic is a form of chiropractic care that focuses on the vital connection between your neck, brainstem, and central nervous system. That’s why upper cervical care can improve a variety of surprising conditions, including but not limited to:
Minor to chronic pain throughout the body
Digestion problems
Headaches or migraines
TMJ
Inner ear disorders
Chronic diseases (fibromyalgia, diabetes, hypertension, and others)
Difficulty sleeping
Healthy pregnancy
Advanced Imaging Technology
Another major difference between upper cervical care and general chiropractic is the use of advanced medical imaging technology called Digital Infrared Paraspinal Thermography. This technology allows for extremely precise and measurable thermal readings of the cervical spine. Once scanned the doctor will perform an in-depth analysis of your spine before making any adjustments. After an upper cervical alignment, the same Digital Infrared Paraspinal Thermography will be used to measure the success of the procedure and guide your doctor throughout your treatment process.
Gentle and Precise Corrections
Once your upper cervical chiropractor identifies the precise location and degree of misalignment in your cervical spine, they can perform gently highly accurate corrections with very little force to bring your C1 and C2 vertebrae back into an exact alignment, ensuring that this critical communication hub between your brain and the rest of your body is functioning at optimal levels.
General Chiropractic Care
General chiropractic is a form of chiropractic care that focuses on the relief of pain within different body parts. There is no specialized focus on one specific part like in the case of upper cervical chiropractic care. General chiropractic care can improve a variety of conditions, including but not limited to:
Lower back and Sacroiliac pain
Neck pain
Headaches and migraine
Whiplash
Shoulder pain
Knee pain
Localized Adjustments, Localized Relief
General chiropractic relies on palpation and other techniques to identify spinal misalignments in specific areas of the body. After your initial consultation, the chiropractor will create a treatment plan to manage pain by adjusting the affected area. Depending on the patient’s needs, this may be the only treatment that they need to feel healthy and happy. However, each case is different and some patients may require a series of treatments.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic vs. Regular Chiropractic Care: Who to See?
The appropriate type of care will of course differ from person to person. However, since an upper cervical chiropractor is trained in general chiropractic care, you can seek guidance from an upper cervical chiropractor first. Not only that, even the slightest misalignment or subluxation of the C1 or C2 vertebrae can have a ripple effect throughout the entire body. And, the negative consequences are not limited to back or neck pain. In fact, your entire hormone, digestive, circulatory, and immune systems rely on the proper functioning of this vital junction. At your initial consultation, the doctor will conduct a comprehensive examination, complete with x-rays and physical examination to determine if upper cervical care is indeed right for you.
A Focus on Compassionate Care and Holistic Health
Whether you choose to opt for general chiropractic treatment or more specialized upper cervical treatment, what you can expect is that your doctor will treat you like a whole person and review your case history with care. A chiropractor’s focus is on the body as a whole system and their goal is overall wellbeing and wellness.
A chiropractor’s approach to health won’t start with pharmaceuticals to mask symptoms or invasive and costly surgeries and you won’t walk out of the office with a handful of prescriptions or a surgery date. But, you can rest assured that their goal is to help your body heal itself.
Do you Need Upper Cervical Care?
Upper cervical chiropractic care is one of the most effective paths to pain relief for Durango, Colorado, area residents. At Atlas Specific, we offer effective, non-invasive relief through both types of chiropractic care for a variety of conditions. If you’re interested in learning more about upper cervical or general chiropractic care, Dr. Tim will be happy to answer your questions at his office located at 1800 E 3rd Ave #108, in Durango. You can also call them at 970 – 259 – 6803 or click the link below to schedule a free consultation.
Notice of Disclaimer:
We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of the patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.
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