Yes, some neck injuries will show in imaging. But, many with what I and others have termed Subtle Neck Injuries, similar to Subtle Brain Injuries, manifest symptoms with no imageable cause. The instabilities at C-1 to Occiput are very difficult to image. There is a full motion imaging system that can show some instability.

Most orthopedists and radiologists do not recognize the minor misalignments as indicative of an injury. A chiro will look and see a problem but MDs will say, No problems observed.

NUCCA and Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic and other upper cervical therapies helps some.

The concept is to try to treat the symptoms rather than treat an injury.

For me, a year of upper back to upper neck therapy slowly saw improvements. It took time for the ligaments to strengthen.