Upper Cervical Chiropractic vs. General Chiropractic

Upper Cervical Chiropractic vs. General Chiropractic: What’s the Difference?

Happy senior couple enjoying the outdoors with ease and balance, thanks to upper cervical care that helped relieve back pain and vertigo.

Choosing the Right Chiropractic Care for Neck Pain, Back Pain, and Vertigo

Not all chiropractic care is the same. While general chiropractic focuses on the entire spine and musculoskeletal system, upper cervical chiropractic is a specialized approach that takes a precise, gentle, and effective approach to treat conditions like neck pain, back pain, and vertigo at their source, the top two vertebrae in the neck—the atlas and axis.

Upper Cervical Spine Center:
A Sustainable Solution for Health Issues

Key Differences Between Upper Cervical Chiropractic and General Chiropractic

1. Focused vs. Full-Spine Adjustments

  • General Chiropractic: Adjusts various areas of the spine and joints throughout the body.
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Focuses exclusively on the upper cervical spine, where misalignments can impact the nervous system and cause widespread health issues.

2. Gentle vs. Forceful Adjustments

  • General Chiropractic: Often involves twisting, cracking, or popping the spine.
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Uses a precise, gentle technique without sudden movements or forceful manipulations.

3. Symptom Relief vs. Root Cause Correction

  • General Chiropractic: Aims to reduce pain and discomfort in various areas of the body.
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Corrects the root cause of pain, restoring proper nerve communication between the brain and body.

4. Short-Term vs. Long-Lasting Benefits

  • General Chiropractic: May require frequent adjustments for ongoing symptom relief.
  • Upper Cervical Chiropractic: Provides long-term results by addressing misalignments that affect the entire body’s function.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic vs. General Chiropractic

Aspect Upper Cervical Care General Chiropractic
Approach Precise adjustments to the top two vertebrae Adjusts various areas of the spine and joints
Techniques Used

Gentle, specific, and non-invasive

Twisting, popping, and cracking

Best for

Neck pain, back pain, vertigo, migraines

General musculoskeletal pain
Long-Term Benefits

Lasting correction, improved nervous system function

Temporary relief requires frequent visits
Side Effects None, natural healing

Possible soreness from forceful adjustments

Focus Restoring brain-to-body communication Improving general mobility

Reclaim Your Health with
The Upper Cervical Spine Center

Why Choose Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

Precision-Based Care – No unnecessary adjustments, just targeted correction.
Non-Invasive & Gentle – No popping, cracking, or twisting.
Proven Success – Thousands of patients have found lasting relief.
Whole-Body Wellness – Improved nervous system function leads to better overall health.

At The Upper Cervical Spine Center in Wilmington, NC, we specialize in treating chronic conditions such as neck pain, back pain, vertigo, and migraines by addressing the root cause of discomfort. Our method ensures long-lasting relief without the need for ongoing, frequent adjustments.

Dr. Zachary Shaw using the natural effective alternative to heal a patient. A chiropractor performing an upper cervical spine assessment on a child, while the child's mother assists during the examination. A computer monitor displaying spinal data is visible in the background.

We Align the Head and Neck So That the Nerves Can Send Brain Healing Messages to Affected Parts Of Your Body. It's a Natural Self Healing.

Dr. Zach Shaw helping a patient in the Wilmington office.

Experience the Upper Cervical Difference

If you’ve tried general chiropractic care but haven’t found lasting relief, it may be time to explore upper cervical chiropractic. Our focused approach offers a gentle, effective solution to chronic pain and neurological issues.

Serving Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach, Ogden, Porters Neck, Mid-town Wilmington, Monkey Junction, Leland, Landfall, Castle Hayne, and surrounding communities.

Make an Appointment Today and breathe freely again!