Mountain State Wellness

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I know if I am a candidate for upper cervical spinal care?

Any person, regardless of age, can benefit from having their spine evaluated by an upper cervical chiropractor. More specifically, every person that has experienced an accident or injury, of any type, should have their spine evaluated for a spinal misalignment. The effects of the spinal misalignment and spinal cord injury can be devastating and we encourage potential patients to have their spine checked as soon as possible.

2. How did I get a spinal misalignment?

There are three specific causes to the spinal misalignment (Atlas Subluxation Complex).

3. Can an upper cervical chiropractor help me if I have had minimal results with other types of healthcare?

Please remember, the spinal misalignment (Atlas Subluxation Complex) can cause many complications in your health. An upper cervical chiropractor is trained to detect and correct a very specific condition (Atlas Subluxation Complex) which removes irritation to your nervous system and allows your body to recover. Other types of healthcare such as medicine, physical therapy, rehabilitation, massage therapy, and acupuncture are not equipped to detect and correct the spinal misalignment. Therefore, if you have sought other types of healthcare and not received any relief, we would encourage you to have your spine evaluated by an upper cervical chiropractor as soon as possible. Upper cervical chiropractic care is specifically designed to correct the root cause of body imbalance and diminished health.

4. Is upper cervical spinal care painful?

NO! NO! and NO! The spinal correction does not involve any twisting, popping or cracking of your head, neck or back. It is extremely gentle and many people, including babies, fall asleep on the table while they are being adjusted. Unlike other types of healthcare, we do not hurt you while we help you!

5. How safe is upper cervical spinal care?

Upper cervical spinal care is one of the safest types of healthcare available today. Patients do not experience any risk or discomfort during the adjustment. People under our care do not experience any negative side effects or irreversible dangers that many other types of modern healthcare may include. The upper cervical spinal correction is very gentle and every precaution is taken to ensure safety and effectiveness.

6. I am worried about x-ray exposure, are x-rays necessary and what safety precautions are taken to limit x-ray exposure?

Your concern about x-ray exposure is valid, but please try to understand that the x-ray exposure is very minimal. Our clinical experience has revealed that the spinal misalignment (Atlas Subluxation Complex) creates much more destructive effects on the human body than the x-ray exposure from 5 cervical spine x-rays. The x-ray series is necessary to determine which direction your spine has been injured and how severely it has been injured. Upper cervical doctors use safety equipment and policies to limit your x-ray exposure and our x-ray machine is inspected regularly by the West Virginia Bureau of Public Health.

Listed below are the amounts of x-ray exposure from various type of healthcare.

7. Why are x-rays taken before and after the upper cervical spinal correction?

The pre/post x-ray process is what distinguishes the upper cervical care from other types of healthcare. The pre-adjustment x-rays allow the doctor to deteremine how severely and in which direction your spine has misaligned. This information is critical for the doctor to perform the best spinal correction possible. Immediately following the spinal correction, the doctor will perform a series of post-adjustment x-rays. These x-rays verify that a favorable correction has been successfully accomplished. The best spinal alignment possible is necessary for your full recovery. The x-rays allow the doctor to see if proper alignment has occurred....we will not guess with your health.

8. Are x-rays necessary on follow-up visits?

No. Typically, the initial series of x-rays will provide the doctor with all the information that is necessary to care for you. Although, if a current patient experiences a new accident/injury, it may be necessary to perform a new series of x-rays so the patient can continue to recover as expected.

9. Why does the doctor adjust the upper area of my neck when my problem is in my hands/arms, mid-back, low-back, or legs?

The spinal misalignment is most easily detected, measured and corrected by using the top bone of the spine as a lever to re-align the skull, the entire spine and the pelvis. When the spine is not in proper alignment, injury and irritation to the nervous system (especially the brainstem) can occur at any level within the spine. Therefore, uncomfortable symptoms and improper function can occur anywhere within the human body. The upper cervical doctor is merely using the top of the spine as an entry point to correct the entire structure.

10. Why do I not always get adjusted when I am feeling bad?

The primary goal of upper cervical spinal care is to detect and correct the spinal misalignment. Sometimes the spine can begin to maintain proper alignment faster than patients experience relief from their specific complaint. If an upper cervical doctor checks your spinal alignment and discovers that you are maintaining your alignment, you can remain confident that your body will continue to recover over time. Remember, recovery is a process not an event!

11. Why do I sometimes get adjusted when I am feeling good?

The sooner your spine is corrected after losing your alignment, the less likely you are to experience uncomfortable symptoms. Your upper cervical doctor may recommend another spinal correction because your spine is not in proper alignment even though you have not begun to feel symptoms. By maintaining your alignment with periodic check-ups, you can prevent future problems from recurring. Your complete health is greatly enhanced by your committment to keeping your spine in proper alignment for your entire lifetime.

12. How will I know when I lose my spinal alignment?

After a person has had their spine properly aligned, they commonly experience many positive changes within their health. During the recovery process, people notice a reduction of symptoms and the restoration of proper body functions. Typically, after several weeks of care, the spine begins to maintain proper alignment and symptoms are usually completely resolved. If a patient were to lose their alignment at this point in their recovery, they would begin to experience similar symptoms. We greatly encourage you to have your spine checked by an upper cervical doctor immediately if you begin to experience uncomfortable symptoms. The longer your spine remains out of alignment, the more severe the symptoms will become and the sooner you have your spine corrected, the sooner you can experience life without discomfort and dysfunction.

13. How often should I get my spinal alignment checked after I have been released from scheduled visits?

After being released from scheduled visits and educated on wellness care, we recommend having your spine checked by an upper cervical doctor at least once every three months (4 check-ups/year), similar to dental check-ups! Please remember, your commitment to maintaining your spinal alignment can have life changing effects upon your health. We recommend lifetime family spinal care for everyone...your teeth are replaceable, but your spine and nervous system are not!

14. How long will it take for me to feel better?

Most patients experience a noticeable change in how they feel immediately after their first spinal correction. During the first week after beginning upper cervical spinal care, most patients continue to experience many positive benefits such as: extended pain relief, more restful sleep, more energy, and proper organ function. Most patients will experience complete recovery from their primary complaint within 4-6 weeks from their initial spinal correction. Long term benefits of maintaining your alignment are a greatly enhanced immune system, higher energy levels, no stress/tension in your body, properly functioning organs, increased performance and mental clarity, a strong feeling of vitality and the prevention of future health problems.

15. How many visits will I need to correct the problem?

You can be confident that when you leave our office from your first spinal correction that we have achieved the best spinal alignment possible. This is what ensures your quickest and complete recovery. Our standard protocol for initial care is to check your spine and monitor your improvement once per week for 4-6 weeks. (This may be shorter or longer depending on the severity of your condition) After this time period, we usually perform a re-evaluation to determine the need for additional care and make recommendations to you that should decrease your recovery time.

16. How long will I need upper cervical spinal care?

You only need upper cervical spinal care until your primary complaint has been resolved and you have achieved your individual health related goals. But, we hope that by experiencing upper cervical spinal care and understanding the benefits of maintaining your alignment, that you will want to keep you spine corrected. As mentioned in a previous question, the long term benefits of upper cervical spinal care are profound.

17. Why is complete recovery not a faster process?

The underlying principle behind upper cervical spinal care is that the human body can heal and maintain itself...if it is cared for properly. Once the spine is corrected and the irritation is removed from the nervous system, the amazing human body is able to heal and recover. Every person's recovery time is different, but we can assure you that by having a positive mindset and patience, your chances of experiencing complete recovery are greatly enhanced. Also, your upper cervical doctor may make other recommendations (nutrition, exercise, rest and lifestyle behaviors) to help decrease your recovery time. The more you become involved in your care, the quicker you will recover!

18. Is it safe to care for pregnant women with upper cervical care?

Yes! Upper cervical spinal corrections are very safe for a pregnant woman, and it is very important for pregnant women to have their spines adjusted. Having their spine aligned has no dangerous side effects and the benefits for better health influence both the expectant mom and the baby. The importance of the spinal correction during pregnancy is vital because the nervous system controls and coordinates all body functions including the growth and development of the baby. For the baby to grow and develop to its fullest potential, the women's nervous system needs to be functioning at an optimal level. Upper cervical spinal care will facilitate the optimal functioning of the pregnant women's nervous system. Also, most women under upper cervical spinal care have easier childbirth and less medical intervention during the delivery of their child!

19. Is it safe to x-ray pregnant women?

Yes. Upper cervical spinal care relies upon x-rays to detect and correct the spinal misalignment and several precautions are implemented to insure the safety of the woman and the developing baby. The x-rays focus on the head and neck region of the body and therefore the x-ray exposure is very limited. A full lead apron is used as a precaution to protect the baby from receiving any radiation. All women are encouraged to have their spine checked and corrected before becoming pregnant to facilitate the entire experience. Pregnant women experience many benefits from having their spine aligned and the precautions used prevent any harmful effects to the baby. In fact, the baby will benefit with proper growth and development and an easier delivery.

20. Do you care for babies and children with the upper cervical care?

Absolutely! Children grow, develop and heal through their nervous system. Therefore, their nervous system must be functioning at optimal levels for proper growth, development and healing to occur. In fact, it is most important for young children to have their spines checked for misalignment because the long term effects of nervous system distress are devastating. Many research studies are indicating that children who have their spines checked and corrected experience positive life-long effects in their health and well-being. After understanding the safety and positive effects of upper cervical spinal care, you may ask youself, "Why would anyone not have their child's spine checked for a misalignment?" It is safe, painless, drug-free and it greatly enhances your childs' ability to grow, develop and heal.