subject: Specific Questions to Ask an Upper Cervical Chiropractor [print this page] Specific Questions to Ask an Upper Cervical Chiropractor
It is hard to tell how someone practices just from their website, so I have come up with a list of six characteristics to look for when searching for someone to help you.
What technique do they utilize?
Some of the various upper cervical techniques are Atlas and Advanced Orthogonal (AO), Blair, HIO Toggle/Palmer Specific, Knee Chest (Kale, KCUCS, IUCCA, The Specific Chiropractic Centers), NUCCA, and Orthospinology. Some differences in the techniques are:
- Blair uses x-rays based on assymetry from the left to the right of the upper cervical spine.
- Atlas Orthogonal, Orthospinology, and NUCCA use a structural x-ray analysis.
- Advanced Orthogonal utilizes x-rays that incorporate both assymetry and structure in their x-ray analysis.
- HIO Toggle/Palmer Specific and Knee Chest utilize HIO x-ray analysis.
- Blair, HIO Toggle/Palmer Specific, Orthospinology, Knee Chest, and NUCCA utilize hand adjustments. AO and Orthospinology utilize instrument adjustments. No that is not a typo. Orthospinology does utilize a hand and tool adjustment... it just depends on the doctor as to which one you will get.
Do they take/use/analyze x-rays?
X-rays are used to determine how the atlas and/or axis is misaligned. Without x-rays, it's very difficult to determine which way C1 or C2 has moved.
Do they use any pre- and post-analysis?
Pre- and post-analysis are very important in upper cervical work. Pre-analysis is needed to determine if an adjustment is needed. Post analysis is used to determine if interference to the nervous system was properly removed. This is a must.
If the answer to the previous question is yes, what forms of pre- and post-analysis do they use?
Techniques such as AO, Orthospinology, and NUCCA take post x-rays after the first adjustment to determine if they moved the bone correctly. Supine (laying on your back) leg checks are utilized by NUCCA, Orthospinology, AO, and HIO Toggle/Palmer Specific chiropractors. Prone leg checks are utilized by Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractors.
AO chiropractors use scanning palpation to determine inflammatory areas in the upper cervical spine before and after an adjustment. Thermography is the primary form of analysis for Blair, HIO/Palmer Specific, and Knee Chest Chiropractors, though other Upper Cervical Chiropractors do use this technology as well. Thermography is usually carried out via NeuroCaloGraph or Computed Infrared Thermography i.e. Tytron C-3000, C-5000, etc.
Do they utilize therapies and/or modalities in their practice?
An Upper Cervical Chiropractor usually trusts in the capability of the patient's Innate Intelligence to restore proper healing, not the reduction of symptoms. Using one of these "additional treatments" focuses on the patient's symptoms, and only temporarily covers up the problem. Covering up the symptoms is the typical medical approach to health, and does nothing to address the cause of the symptoms. If you are not interested in a therapeutic or electrical "band-aid," make sure you ask this question.
Will they check children?
Some doctors have a hard time with kids and do not see them often, or at all, in their practice. In my opinion, if the parent is getting checked on a regular basis and not bringing their kids in to the office as well, both the parent and the doctor are short-changing the children's health.
Vertebral subluxations can and do usually occur at birth. Without having that subluxation removed, how much harder will that child's life be? Things like ear infections, asthma, and ADD/ADHD might not even occur if the nervous system is free of interference. I believe we as chiropractors have a responsibility to check kids and ensure they can grow up subluxation-free.
You can learn more about Upper Cervical Chiropractic and how it can positively affect your health at The Atlas of Life.
