The Hidden Connection: How misalignments in the upper neck could be strangling your health

Why is it that some people struggle with health issues that never seem to fully resolve, no matter how many different treatments and modalities they try? Or how some people can get a clean bill of health at their annual checkup, despite still struggling with headaches, fatigue, digestive complaints, and brain fog?

The answer might be closer than you think, the top two bones of the neck(C1 and C2, Atlas and Axis, respectively)

This area of the spine is known as the upper cervical junction and upper cervical chiropractors consider this part of the spine to be the most critical area of the spine that needs to remain free and clear of any neurological interference. And understandably so, these two bones protect and house the part of our nervous system that controls all the basic functions needed to not only thrive but simply survive: basic things like breathing, heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, so on and so forth.

The bones that held up the world

Starting the conversation off with understanding some basic anatomy: C1(Atlas) and C2(Axis), quite literally hold up your world, responsible for 50% of rotation in the entire neck, they protect the very area of the body where the brain connects to the rest of the body.

The Atlas, aptly named after the Greek Titan who held up the world, C1(Atlas) does the same for you, it holds up your head and everywhere your head goes this bone goes with it. C2(Axis) is the pivot point from which C1 can rotate. Even a small misalignment in this area can throw your whole world off kilter, pun intended.

But what truly makes these bones special is not their name or even that they hold up the weight of your head all day(roughly 10-12 pounds), the most special thing about these two bones is that they protect the brainstem.

In short, the brainstem is the seat of the autonomic nervous system, responsible for how well our bodies adapt to stress. Stress is arguably one of the most important factors when it comes to reaching our personal health and wellness goals, and if you have even a small amount of pressure on the brainstem then you’re already starting from a deficit.

When the hands that hold the world fail

Every signal that comes to and from the brain passes through the upper cervical spine, and much like a computer our brain processes hundreds and thousands of signals per second. So when an upper cervical misalignment persists, it doesn’t just interfere with one of these signals, it interferes with all of these hundreds and thousands of signals.

And because our brains are so efficient at processing these signals, initially we might not even notice that the interference is there but over time that interference leads to a cascade of effects affecting the nervous system and various systems of the body.

In short, these misalignments can create an imbalance in the connection between the brain and the body:

1. Nervous System Disruption

By disrupting the communication between the brain and body, upper cervical misalignments can disrupt the autonomic nervous system, the part of your nervous system controlling everything from your blood pressure to your immune system, your digestive system to your endocrine system - for example this type of misalignment could leave your body in an overactive sympathetic state(ex: often feel like you’re stuck in fight or flight mode)

2. Reduced Blood Flow to the Brain

An upper cervical misalignment could lead to restricted blood flow to the brain by way of the vertebral arteries which supply blood flow to the brain. This can result in cognitive impairments that they manifest as brain fog, difficulty concentrating, headaches, or even mood disturbances.

3. Impaired Cerebrospinal Fluid Flow

Proper alignment of the upper cervical spine supports healthy cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) flow to and from the brain. CSF is responsible for providing nutrients to the brain as well as removing toxins, when normal flow is disrupted the result can lead to impaired cognitive function.

4. Chronic Inflammation

As previously discussed, upper cervical misalignments can result in an overactive sympathetic nervous system leaving the body stuck in fight or flight mode; an overly active sympathetic nervous system promotes inflammatory responses throughout the body, not just at the area of the misalignment.

5. Biomechanical dysfunction

Misalignments of the upper cervical spine result in the head sitting off kilter, you may notice that one ear sits higher than the other for example. The result of this misalignment results in compensations throughout the spine and body, for example one shoulder will sit lower than the other, the hips will be off balance, and you may even notice that one leg appears shorter than the other(it’s important to note that an apparent leg length discrepancy is different from an anatomical leg length discrepancy). When an upper cervical misalignment is corrected the result is a reduction in these compensations and a balancing of the leg length.

The compensation through the spine creates a chain reaction of muscular tension, joint stress, and postural imbalances that can lead to pain throughout the body - not just in the neck.

Where’s the evidence?

Upper cervical chiropractic research is not a new concept and has been heavily studied for many decades, and continues to be studied. With newer studies indicating improved cerebral blood flow post-treatment as well as improvements in cerebrospinal fluid flow. These findings indicate and support the ability of specific upper cervical adjustments to enhance the function of the nervous system.

Studies have suggested that precise chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine specifically have helped lower cases of high blood pressure. The medical doctor working alongside one study likened the effect of an upper cervical adjustment to the effects of two blood pressure medications combined.

Another interesting connection to the upper cervical spine involves mental health and the findings that specific chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine cause the release of various neurotrophins(including neurotrophic factor, which is derived from the brain and stimulates the growth of nerves), considered essential to the treatment of depression. Upper cervical chiropractic care has been shown to promote hormone regulation, through increasing hormone levels like dopamine and norepinephrine that help elevate mood.

The Benefits: What improvements to expect?

How can upper cervical chiropractic improve your life? People who receive upper cervical chiropractic care often report improvements in:

Physical Health:

Decreased severity and reduced frequency of migraines as well as other types of headaches through alleviating nerve compression and improving vascular flow

• Relief from chronic neck and back pain

• Improved breathing in patients with asthma

• Improved digestion/ gut health

• Reduced sciatica symptoms

• Improved sleep quality

Mental and Cognitive Function:

• Enhanced mental clarity and sharper focus from improved blood flow and communication of the nervous system

• Reduced brain fog symptoms with improved circulation and reduced neurological interference to support healthy cognitive function

• Improved emotional regulation by restoring balance to autonomic nervous system; helping with management of stress, anxiety, and mood shifts more effectively

• Improved memory and cognitive performance

• Research has also shown that upper cervical chiropractic care is effective for treating symptoms of ADHD

Overall Wellness:

• By supporting an optimal nervous system, we are helping to ensure that our immune system can respond efficiently and quickly to help fight off infections and illness

• Increased energy and vitality

• Better stress management

• Improved sleep quality through the promotion of relaxation to the nervous system

• Increased athletic performance and recovery

The Upper Cervical Difference

Many people, when they think of chiropractic, imagine something akin to a move Steven Seagal or Arnold Schwarzenegger would have done in an 80’s action movie, a sharp whip of the head followed by numerous cracks in the neck.

This style of adjusting is more geared toward improving mobility but can often lack specificity in the direction that bones are being moved in. This lack of specificity is what separates the traditional chiropractic techniques from upper cervical techniques.

An upper cervical chiropractic adjustment requires the highest level of specificity, with the goal of moving one bone in one specific direction so that pressure can be removed from the nervous system and create ease and relaxation throughout not just the entire spine but also the rest of the body.

Upper cervical chiropractic requires lots of objectivity and tools to measure progress as well as any persistence of neurological insult. Some of these tools include x-ray(for analysis of misalignments and how to correct), thermographic scans(to quickly measure autonomic function pre/post treatment), leg length discrepancy(also used pre/post treatment), as well as heart rate variability(a great long term measure of health/wellness specifically affected by the autonomic nervous system.

Upper cervical chiropractic is:

Precise: Through the use of diagnostic imaging tools such as X-ray, each adjustment is calculated based on your unique anatomy and specific misalignment pattern, and performed gently.

Gentle: Without the need for any large manipulations that involve any kind of forceful twisting or popping of the neck, upper cervical chiropractic is gentle as it is precise.

Scientific: Upper cervical practitioners are very knowledgeable on the anatomy and physiology of the upper cervical spine and its contents the brainstem, this knowledge guides upper cervical chiropractors to research new areas that this type of treatment can help.

Focused: Upper cervical chiropractors understand the importance of the entire spine and still treat the entire spine by concentrating on the area that will have the most profound effect on your nervous system—the atlas and axis vertebrae.

Expectations: First time visiting an upper cervical chiropractor

If you're curious about upper cervical care, here's what a typical experience looks like:

Initial Consultation

You'll discuss your health history, symptoms, and wellness goals. Your chiropractor will listen carefully to understand not just what hurts, but how your symptoms are affecting your life.

Comprehensive Examination

During the examination, your chiropractor will take a series of X-rays and may use diagnostic imaging tools to guide the adjustment process. This isn't just about finding problems—it's about understanding exactly how your body is compensating for misalignment.

Detailed Analysis

Your chiropractor will analyze your images and examination findings to create a precise correction strategy tailored to your body.

The Adjustment

The actual adjustment is surprisingly gentle. You'll rest comfortably while your chiropractor delivers a specific, calculated correction to realign your upper cervical spine. Many people feel immediate changes—some describe a sense of relief, relaxation, or even improved clarity.

Rest and Integration

After your adjustment, you'll rest for 10-15 minutes. This allows your nervous system to integrate the correction and begin recalibrating your body's posture and function.

Re-assessment

Follow-up visits include re-scanning and re-evaluation to measure your progress objectively. You'll actually see evidence of your improvement through neurological scans and postural analysis.

Your Invitation to Wellness

If you've never tried chiropractic care before, this invitation is for you to come explore a natural, evidence-based approach to health that could transform how you feel every single day.

Don’t settle for just "managing" your symptoms and other health challenges. You don't have to accept that this is just how it is, there is hope. You don't have to keep searching for answers in all the wrong places.

And the answer, it might just be closer than you think—right at the top of your spine, where your brain meets your body, where every message of health and healing begins its journey.

Find an upper cervical chiropractor near you today. Experience the difference. Ask your questions. See the evidence. Get to the root of the problem and give your body the chance to show you what's possible when the master control center is functioning the way it was designed to.

Your best health isn't behind you. It's waiting to be unlocked.

Research & Clinical Evidence Acknowledgment

At Western Carolina Chiropractic, we’re committed to providing care grounded in the strongest available scientific research. The information in this article is supported by a wide range of peer-reviewed studies in chiropractic medicine, neurology, spine biomechanics, headache and migraine management, blood pressure regulation, and musculoskeletal health. Key insights were drawn from respected publications such as the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, Journal of Human Hypertension, Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, European Journal of Neurology, BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, and additional clinical trials and systematic reviews from leading academic and healthcare institutions. This collective body of evidence helps ensure that the care we provide — and the educational resources we share — reflect the most current and credible research available.