English
Spanish
KoreanWhat Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help? An Overview of Conditions
If you’ve ever wondered, “Can upper cervical chiropractic care actually help with [insert condition here]?”—the answer might surprise you.
By downloading the Digital Patient Chart mobile app you can better control your patient portal.
Most people come to us because they’re in pain, exhausted, or frustrated with the lack of answers they’ve received elsewhere. Many have seen multiple doctors or tried a list of therapies with little to no relief. And while we’re proud to offer hope for people dealing with chronic symptoms, we also want to be clear:
Upper cervical chiropractic care isn’t about masking symptoms. It’s about helping the body heal by restoring nervous system function.
At our practice in Hiawatha, Iowa, we focus specifically on the upper cervical spine—especially the atlas vertebra (C1)—and how it influences brainstem function, posture, and whole-body health. We take a neurology-based, gentle, and highly specific approach that patients from Cedar Rapids, Marion, Davenport, and beyond travel to experience.
In this article, we’ll give an overview of the many conditions we’ve helped patients with—through focused, non-invasive care.
First Things First: What Does Upper Cervical Chiropractic Actually Do?
The upper cervical spine houses and protects the brainstem, a key part of your nervous system that controls everything from balance to digestion to blood pressure. When the atlas or axis vertebrae misalign (even slightly), it can impact:
- Blood flow to the brain
- Spinal fluid movement
- Nerve signal transmission
- Muscle tension and posture
- Autonomic nervous system function
That’s why upper cervical misalignment can cause—or contribute to—so many different symptoms across the body. And when the nervous system isn’t functioning well, your body can’t either.
What Conditions Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Help?
We’ve seen people find relief from a wide range of symptoms and diagnoses after starting care. While every case is unique, here are some of the most common conditions we help:
🧠 Neurological Conditions
- Migraines and chronic headaches
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Disembarkment syndrome
- Post-concussion syndrome
- Brain fog
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Bell’s palsy
- Occipital neuralgia
📈 Patients with these conditions often notice fewer headache days, improved balance, clearer thinking, reduced facial or nerve pain, and a general sense of better neurological stability.
🔄 Autonomic Nervous System Disorders
- POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome)
- Dysautonomia
- Lightheadedness
- High blood pressure
- Heart rate variability issues
- Chronic fatigue syndrome
📈 Improvements may include more energy, better regulation of blood pressure and heart rate, fewer dizzy spells, more stable standing tolerance, and greater day-to-day stamina.
🦴 Spinal and Musculoskeletal Pain
- Neck pain
- Trap tension
- Shoulder pain
- Upper back pain
- Lower back pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Radiating nerve pain
- Sciatica
- Bulged discs
- Pinched nerves
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
📈 Many of our patients report better posture, reduced tightness or sharp nerve pain, greater flexibility, improved range of motion, and long-lasting relief without relying on medication.
💬 Jaw, Face & Ear Conditions
- TMJ / TMD
- Jaw clicking or tension
- Facial pain or numbness
- Tinnitus
- Ear fullness
- Eustachian tube dysfunction
- Hearing loss
- Meniere’s disease
📈 With care, patients often experience easier jaw movement, less ear pressure or ringing, clearer hearing, and a noticeable reduction in facial muscle tension or nerve irritation.
🔄 Digestive Issues
- IBS (all types)
- Ulcerative colitis
- Bloating, nausea, or reflux
- General digestive dysfunction
📈 We’ve seen improvements in bowel regularity, reduced bloating and pain, calmer digestion, and better tolerance to food triggers in patients with these conditions.
🔧 Functional & Systemic Issues
- Whiplash recovery
- Post-surgical dysfunction
- Carpal tunnel symptoms
- Shoulder blade pain or burning
- Pain near the collarbone
- Plantar fasciitis
- Chronic inflammation or flare-ups
📈 Improvements may include less nerve sensitivity, more strength and stability in the hands and feet, faster healing from injury, and fewer days of unexplained discomfort.
Why Patients Travel to Hiawatha for Care
We’re one of only three offices in Iowa offering this highly specialized form of chiropractic. As an Advanced HIO Chiropractor, we use:
- Detailed imaging
- No twisting or popping
- Neurological scans to monitor progress
- Personalized plans that focus on real correction
Patients drive from Davenport, Burlington, Muscatine, Kalona, and all over Eastern Iowa—not just for temporary relief, but because they want real results.
What to Expect from Your First Visit
Whether you're coming in for TMJ, POTS, or chronic fatigue, your first visit will include:
- A full health consultation
- Nervous system scans (Tytron)
- Postural assessment and imaging
- A custom care plan that fits your condition and goals
We track your improvements and always explain what we’re doing and why it matters.
Bottom Line: We Don’t Treat Symptoms. We Restore Function.
When your body is aligned and your nervous system is clear, everything works better.
If you've been struggling with one or more of the conditions listed above—and haven't found a lasting solution—upper cervical chiropractic care may be the missing piece.
You deserve more than symptom management. You deserve a body that works the way it was designed to.
Leave a comment