What is Upper Cervical?
Upper cervical chiropractic is a precise, research-driven approach that focuses exclusively on the alignment of the top two vertebrae in your spine — the atlas (C1) and axis (C2).
These two bones surround and protect the brainstem, the part of your nervous system responsible for regulating heart rate, blood pressure, balance, posture, pain processing, and immune function.
Because the atlas and axis allow for the greatest range of motion in the entire spine, they're also the most vulnerable to misalignment — from whiplash, sports injuries, falls, poor posture, or even the birth process itself.
When this area shifts even slightly out of alignment (a condition called an upper cervical subluxation), it can interfere with the signals traveling between your brain and the rest of your body.
Unlike general chiropractic adjustments, which may address the entire spine with manual manipulation, upper cervical correction is measured, calculated, and delivered with extremely low force — often described by patients as barely perceptible.
There is no twisting, no cracking, and no popping. The goal isn't to move a lot of bone. It's to move the right bone, by the right amount, in the right direction.
Who This Helps
Patients seek out upper cervical chiropractic specifically — often after other approaches haven't resolved their symptoms — for conditions including:
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Chronic or recurring headaches and migraines, especially those originating at the base of the skull
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Vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders, including cervicogenic dizziness and some cases of BPPV
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Neck pain and stiffness that hasn't responded to general chiropractic, massage, or physical therapy
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Chronic pain conditions where the nervous system appears to be in a persistent state of dysregulation
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Trigeminal neuralgia, in coordination with a neurologist, where cervical involvement may be a contributing factor
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Anxiety and nervous system dysregulation, particularly when physical tension and hypervigilance are present
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Post-concussion symptoms and history of whiplash or head/neck trauma
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Pregnancy-related tension and nervous system support, alongside Webster Technique care
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Patients who want proactive, precise wellness care and are sensitive to or wary of traditional 'cracking' adjustments
Why the Upper Cervical Spine Matters
The brainstem sits directly behind the atlas and axis. It houses the reticular activating system (which regulates alertness and sleep), the autonomic centers that control heart rate and blood pressure, and the pathways that relay sensory and motor information between your brain and body.
The vagus nerve — your body's primary parasympathetic ('rest and digest') pathway — also exits the skull and passes directly through this region.
When the atlas is misaligned, even slightly, it can create tension on the brainstem and surrounding structures, irritate the vertebral arteries that supply blood to the brain, and disrupt the proprioceptive signals that tell your brain where your body is in space.
This is why upper cervical misalignment has been associated with such a wide range of seemingly unrelated symptoms — headaches, dizziness, fatigue, anxiety, and chronic pain can all trace back to dysfunction at this single, critical junction.
This is also why patients are often surprised by what improves after upper cervical correction. A patient being treated for headaches may also notice better sleep.
A patient focused on vertigo may notice reduced anxiety. This isn't incidental — it's a reflection of how centrally important this region is to total nervous system function.
Our Process
1. Precision Analysis, Not Guesswork
Every upper cervical evaluation begins with objective measurement. Dr. Goodman uses Tytron infrared thermography to scan for temperature asymmetries along the spine — a reliable indicator of nervous system stress — combined with postural analysis and a detailed orthopedic and neurological exam. This builds a precise, individualized picture of exactly how your atlas and axis are positioned and how that's affecting your nervous system.
2. A Calculated, Specific Correction
Based on the analysis, Dr. Goodman delivers a precise correction tailored to your unique misalignment — not a generic adjustment applied the same way to every patient. The correction itself is low-force - most patients describe it as gentle, even surprisingly so.
3. Hold and Stability Monitoring
Unlike general adjustments that may need to be repeated frequently, a well-delivered upper cervical correction is designed to hold — sometimes for days, weeks, or longer. Dr. Goodman monitors how well each correction holds using follow-up thermography scans, and other protocols which informs the pace of your care plan. Some patients need corrections weekly at first; many transition to much less frequent visits as their spine and nervous system stabilize.
4. Whole-Person Integration
Because upper cervical care affects the nervous system broadly, Dr. Goodman integrates it with your other goals — whether that's resolving headaches, supporting a healthy pregnancy, reducing chronic pain, or simply pursuing a higher baseline of wellness. Care plans are individualized, transparent, and re-evaluated regularly so you always know why you're being seen and what progress looks like.
Some Common Questions:
Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic safe?
Yes. Upper cervical techniques are among the gentlest in chiropractic care, using calculated, low-force corrections based on precise measurement rather than generalized manipulation. Dr. Goodman conducts a thorough exam before any correction to confirm it's appropriate for your presentation.
How is this different from a regular chiropractic adjustment?
General chiropractic often addresses the whole spine with broader manual adjustments, sometimes producing an audible release or 'cracking' sound. Upper cervical chiropractic focuses specifically on the atlas and axis, uses objective measurement (like thermography) to guide the correction, and is delivered with significantly less force — often without any sound or sensation of 'cracking' at all.
What conditions does Upper Cervical Chiropractic help with?
Patients most commonly seek upper cervical care for chronic headaches and migraines, vertigo and dizziness, neck pain, chronic pain conditions, and nervous system dysregulation including anxiety and stress-related tension. It's also used as part of a broader wellness and prevention approach.
Upper Cervical Doctors are who many Chiropractors seek for their own care.
How many visits will I need?
This varies by individual and the chronicity of the misalignment. Many patients are seen more frequently in the first few weeks while the body learns to hold the correction, then transition to a maintenance schedule as stability improves. Dr. Goodman tracks this objectively with follow-up thermography rather than relying on a fixed, generic schedule.
Do you take insurance?
Flow State is a cash-pay practice. We provide an invoice of services accrued upon request that you may be able to submit for out-of-network reimbursement or use with an HSA/FSA account. This model allows for longer visits, more individualized attention, and care decisions based purely on what you need — not on insurance billing codes.
Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic backed by research?
Upper cervical techniques have a growing body of clinical literature, including studies on outcomes for cervicogenic headache, blood pressure regulation, and vertigo. As with much of musculoskeletal medicine, research continues to evolve. Dr. Goodman is happy to discuss the evidence base relevant to your specific condition during your consultation as well as any other questions regarding your case or the physiology of the human body.
