The Origins of Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Tracing Back to the 19th Century
The Patient (You Are the Hero of Your Recovery)
Persistent neck stiffness, postural strain, or radiating nerve discomfort shouldn’t be the price you pay for an active career and full life—yet stretching and quick fixes never seem to hold.
As your guide at Hope Southlake, Dr. Joey Kramer looks beyond surface muscle tightness to correct the exact craniocervical misalignment driving full-spine compensation.
Welcome to Hope Chiropractic in Southlake, Texas, where we are committed to providing our patients with the highest quality of care. One of the specialized forms of care that we offer is upper cervical chiropractic, which focuses on the top two vertebrae in the spine, known as the atlas and axis.
Many people wonder about the origins of upper cervical chiropractic and how it became a specialized field of study. In this blog post, we will trace back the history of upper cervical chiropractic to the 19th century.
Upper cervical chiropractic is a unique and specialized field of chiropractic care that focuses on the atlas and axis. These two vertebrae are responsible for supporting the head, allowing it to rotate and move in different directions.
Misalignments in the atlas and axis can lead to a wide range of health problems, including migraines, vertigo, and chronic pain.
The origins of upper cervical chiropractic can be traced back to the late 1800s when a Canadian doctor named B.J. Palmer began studying the relationship between the upper cervical spine and overall health.
Palmer believed that misalignments in the atlas and axis could cause a range of health problems and that correcting these misalignments could improve overall health and well-being.
Palmer's theories and methods were revolutionary for the time, and he soon became known as the father of modern chiropractic. He opened the first chiropractic college in the United States and began training other doctors in his methods.
Over time, upper cervical chiropractic became a specialized field of study, with doctors all over the world focusing on the atlas and axis and the benefits of proper alignment.
At Hope Chiropractic, we specialize in upper cervical chiropractic care and use gentle, non-invasive techniques to correct misalignments in the atlas and axis.
Our goal is to help our patients achieve optimal health and wellness by restoring proper alignment and allowing the body to function as it should.
One of the biggest benefits of upper cervical care is that it is a safe and effective form of care that is suitable for patients of all ages. Unlike traditional chiropractic care, which involves twisting and cracking the spine, upper cervical care is gentle and non-invasive.
This makes it a great option for patients who are uncomfortable with traditional chiropractic techniques.
If you are interested in learning more about upper cervical chiropractic care or would like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Joey Kramer, please contact us today.
We are proud to serve residents of Southlake, TX, Colleyville, TX, Grapevine, TX, North Richland Hills, TX, and other neighboring communities.
Our team is dedicated to helping you achieve optimal health and wellness through personalized, compassionate care. Contact us today to schedule your appointment and take the first step toward a healthier, happier you.
Your Guide & Recovery Plan
Restore Your Structural Alignment Without Twisting or Cracking
Guided by Dr. Joey Kramer, D.C. at Hope Upper Cervical Spine Center in Southlake, TX—combining computerized infrared thermography, 3D craniocervical imaging, and gentle Blair Upper Cervical corrections with zero twisting or cracking.
Step 1
Schedule Your Consultation
Meet one-on-one with Dr. Joey Kramer in Southlake to share your story, health history, and goals.
Step 2
Precision 3D & Neurological Evaluation
We perform paraspinal infrared thermography, postural analysis, and 3D imaging to pinpoint your exact upper cervical alignment.
Step 3
Gentle Correction & Lasting Stability
Receive a custom, non-twisting upper cervical correction designed to hold so your nervous system can heal naturally.
The Outcome You Deserve
Move freely without stiffness, sit and sleep comfortably, and enjoy a spine that holds its natural alignment.
Why does forward head posture or "tech neck" put so much strain on the upper cervical spine?
For every inch your head shifts forward in front of your shoulders while looking at screens, the effective weight load on your cervical muscles and ligaments increases by roughly 10 pounds. Over time, this pulls the Atlas (C1) and Axis (C2) out of alignment and creates chronic neck tension.
Why hasn’t stretching, massage, or ergonomic furniture permanently fixed my neck stiffness?
Muscles only pull where bones and neurological signals tell them to go. If the top two vertebrae are structurally misaligned, your nervous system will continuously guard and tighten the surrounding muscles until the underlying skeletal misalignment is precisely corrected.
How does Blair Upper Cervical Care restore natural posture without forceful spine cracking?
By using 3D imaging to measure the exact joint angles of your Atlas and Axis, Dr. Kramer delivers a gentle correction that restores head-on-neck balance. Once the head is centered over the neck, the rest of the spine naturally unwinds its postural compensations.
What can I do between visits to help my neck hold its upper cervical alignment longer?
Raising monitors to eye level, avoiding stomach sleeping, using a supportive contour pillow, taking micro-breaks every 45 minutes, and staying hydrated all help your cervical ligaments hold your adjustment longer.
Verified Patient Outcomes
Patient Testimonials
★★★★★
“I had chronic neck tension and radiating nerve pain down my arm for over three years. General chiropractors twisted my neck and made it worse. Dr. Kramer’s gentle upper cervical correction solved the actual problem permanently.”
★★★★★
“Traditional medicine only offered heavy medications that masked the pain. Hope Southlake gave me true, lasting relief by correcting the upper cervical misalignment and taking mechanical pressure off the nerve root.”
Written by Dr. Joey Kramer, DC
Upper Cervical Specialist at Hope Southlake Spine Center. Dedicated to helping individuals find clarity and lasting relief from chronic neurological and spinal symptoms through upper cervical care.
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