Who's tried Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
 

I've seen a few people mention UCC, so I did a bit of research on it and it seems like it may in fact be able to help me.

I actually didn't get my concussion from hitting my head, I got it from whiplash in a car accident (a stupid kid, who was crossing the highway I was driving on, and speeding, blew through the stop sign without looking and I hit him, going from 55mph to almost 0mph pretty much instantly).

This is part of the reason why I think UCC might be right for me, because it to me would make sense if the cause of some/all of my symptoms is from an injured neck due to the whiplash.

I just figured I'd ask and see how many people have tried UCC and how or if it worked for you.

Thanks!

My daughter has been seeing a NUCCA doctor. I think it has helped. She has had a decrease in headaches, more engery (not not totally back to normal but better) and was able to start exercising again. Before seeing the NUCCA doctor - increased heart rate would worsen symptoms.

I've also been seeing the same doctor and I have noticed a difference in how I feel when my body is properly aligned. It's worth a shot and if it doesn't help - you can always stop going.

I have RSI/TOS and some long time minor misalignments 40+ yrs worth- car accident , horse fall concussion @ 15, roughhousing, sports...:eek:

My chiro does upper cervical as needed, at first appts were quite often due to RSI & muscle spasms and such - but now I just go for monthly maintenance appts for my chronic issues.

Thanks for your reply nancy.

I could definately use more energy...I've been extremely fatigued almost all the time lately, and an increased heartrate does seem to make my symptoms worse as well. It's good to know your daughter has benefited from UCC. I suppose you're right, it wouldn't hurt to try.

Best wishes to you and your daughter, I hope her symptoms continue to improve :)

Thanks for the info. Would you say that the UCC has helped much? I'm assuming it has if you are going less often than you were initially. Basically I'm just wondering if you'd reccommend it.

I dont know have heard several stories about upper cervical adjustments that are done so quickly they tear the vertebral artery. :eek:

There is an big difference between what an Upper Cervical Chiropractor does and what a generic chiropractor does who does twist and pop neck adjustments.

The twist and pop upper neck adjustment can easily be too traumatic for the atlas/cranium joint. UCC's use a much more gentle technique similar to an Activator, which is a tool that exerts a controlled about of force for a very short time.

Personally, I am very hesitant to let any chiropractor do a twist and pop neck adjustment on me. I am also hesitant to see a chiropractor who wants to do maintenance adjustments on a specific time interval.

The best chiropractors I have seen have taught me how to recognize when I need a tweak. We had a chiro who offered a flat fee for the entire family (five of us). It was not uncommon for one or two of us to not need any adjusting. We usually knew that he would likely not find any problems.

An Upper Cervical Chiropractor is a specialty within a specialty.

It is great if your chiropractor takes the time to help you learn to understand your body. Then you can be an active participant in your own health.

This was important in my family because we paid out of pocket (my pocket) for all chiro work.

Yes I would recommend it, but seek out a very good chiro.
Some have lots of high tech equipment to use for adjusting the c1 & c2.

Mine does it by observation, feel and leg alignment/length testing.


Shelley, the upper cervical adjustment technique that my chiro does is amazingly very gentle. It only takes a very slight tweak at the correct angle to make a change.

here are some videos showing it being done-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seS77UPLFt4

Jo Mar,

Does your chiro use the Activator tool to adjust your neck? Leg check is a part of the Activator technique. The Activator tool fits in the hand and delivers a gentle bump.

Some UC Chiros use a larger machine that gently administers the tweak.

He does have an activator tool , I've seen it on the cart, but hasn't used it for me.
Maybe he uses for people with specific needs or those concerned about hands on adjusting.

I see an Atlas Orthogonal upper cervical Chiropractor and it has been helpful.

My Upper Cerivcal Chiro helped me alot, but I needed to get beyond the in-and-out-again sequence by strengthening the neck with exercises. I have been at it for over a year now, and have noticed a lot of improvement. It is a slow process, as you go backwards if you overdo it.

I am seeing an upper cervical chiro in Singapore who does manipulations by cracking and popping the neck.I know its way too harsh but I don't have an option but to continue with his treatment . he does 3 sessions per week . I wonder if cracking my neck 3 times in a week is safe . is it too fast and rushing things? I feel kinda sleepy and dizzy after he twists and pops my neck. He tells me that's normal

Is that one the only chiro around, if he is mostly grabbing & yanking , I'd try to find another that takes more care, is gentle and is precise in adjustments..

A true upper cervical adjustment on c1 & c2 is a very tiny and precise.
You won't even hear any pop or anything.

What you describe sounds more like general lower c spine adjusting.

Has he ever done a precise small adjustment like with his hand right under your ear?
that is where mine did the c1 c2 and you won't feel a thing not even pressure just a very quick movement - mine used a mini drop table ?/ under my head to help with the adjust.

Then he checks leg length & hip for eveness to see if corrected or not.
If your guy isn't doing that it probably isn’t true upper cervical adjusting.

Then there are the high tech upper cervical that have x rays and special machines to really be super precise..$$$

If you feel sleepy and dizzy after he pops your neck, it sounds like he is causing inflammation. If you are going to continue with him, I suggest you ice after every treatment to reduce inflammation caused by the treatment.

Just want to give an update because I recently started seeing an Atlas Orthogonal chiropractor.

It took several adjustments before my atlas actually held the adjustment. He actually had to re-take the x-rays and "adjust" the adjustment, and then it finally held. During this time I thought he was scamming me, but after the adjustment held for several days, I did feel some improvement.

I have had reduced neck stiffness and pain. The "brain sensitivity" (sensitivity to road bumps, jogging, jumping, etc...) has greatly diminished. My dizziness has decreased and my energy level has increased. Also, some of my vision static cleared up!

It is not a quick fix, and it has not brought me to 100% where I want to be, but I do believe it is helping me heal and I will keep going back as long as I keep feeling results.

Best of luck to anyone that tries it.

If you have muscle spasms in the neck, or had a long time misalignment it will often take some tries before the adjustment hold s at the proper place.

And it may slip out easily for awhile, or even after another bump or head hit.

I get pain and tension where my neck meets the back of my head around top of ear height so I'm considering and ao adjustment. I thought chiro was quack medicine. Do physios do anything for c1 and c2?

I have seen significant changes in my tinnitus and sensitivity to jerks and bumps issue after getting my atlas and spine adjusted for about a month. Unfortunately I haven't been able to continue with the treatment in Singapore as I had to come back to my country and we had a limited period stay over there.

Now back in my country chiropractic treatment is still in its preliminary stage and it's hard to find specialities like upper cervical chiros. There are some general chiropractic associations but I doubt it will help me. I will get started with the general chiro treatment anyway and ask them to concentrate on my upper cervical area. I dont have any other option. Those of you who have access to upper cervical chiropractic care should consider themselves lucky and explore it seriously as many of our symptoms are indeed neck related. Give it a try it's worth it! You will he surprised that even if our necks dont have aches and pains it still can cause debeliating problems