Why the Brainstem Matters (And How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps Protect It)
When people walk into my office for the first time, they’re often surprised that we focus so much on the top of the neck. They expect me to ask about posture or pain—and while we care about those things, what we’re really looking at is something much deeper:
The brainstem.
At my clinic, we’re not just adjusting for the sake of making something “feel better.” We’re working with the control center of your entire body—restoring clear communication between your brain and body so that healing can actually happen.
Let’s break this down.
What Is the Brainstem and Why Does It Matter?
The brainstem is the vital bridge between your brain and body. It sits at the base of your skull, connecting to your spinal cord, and even though it’s small, it runs the show:
Breathing
Heart rate
Blood pressure
Balance and coordination
Swallowing and digestion
Sensory processing (like pain and temperature)
Reflexes and muscle tone
Autonomic nervous system regulation (that’s your stress response, digestion, immune function—basically everything)
This isn’t something you think about every day—it’s running behind the scenes, keeping you alive and functioning.
But when something interferes with this communication hub? Things can go sideways fast.
How the Upper Neck Impacts the Brainstem
Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: your brainstem is protected by the top two bones in your neck—the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). These vertebrae are designed for mobility, but that flexibility makes them vulnerable to misalignment.
When those bones shift, they can:
Put pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord
Disrupt blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow around the brain
Interfere with vagus nerve function
Create mechanical stress on balance and coordination systems
And it doesn’t always cause obvious pain. Sometimes, it shows up as chronic symptoms that don’t seem connected:
Headaches and migraines
Brain fog and poor focus
Dizziness or vertigo
Sleep issues
Digestive troubles
Anxiety or irritability
Sensory sensitivities (like sound or light)
Heart palpitations or irregular blood pressure
The connection? If your brainstem is under stress, your whole system struggles.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps
In my practice, we use gentle, precise techniques to correct these misalignments. No cracking, no guessing—just specific, biomechanical assessments and corrections designed to restore balance.
Here’s how we do it:
Precise, Custom X-Rays: We take a unique series of images (including base posterior views) to see exactly how your C1 and C2 are aligned. This helps us understand the specific misalignment patterns affecting your brainstem.
Functional Nervous System Testing: Using infrared thermography scans, we assess your autonomic nervous system activity. It tells us if your body is in healing mode or stuck in a stress response.
Gentle, Targeted Adjustments: We deliver corrections based on your unique anatomy—no forceful twists or cracks. The goal is to restore clear communication between your brain and body.
Ongoing Monitoring: We don’t adjust every visit. We check how well your body is holding the correction and only intervene when necessary. The goal is long-term stability, not constant treatment.
Real Results Come from Restoring Function
When your brainstem is free from interference, your body can finally shift from survival mode to healing mode. It’s not just about feeling “better”—it’s about functioning better.
Here’s what many of my patients notice after care:
Improved sleep quality
Fewer headaches and migraines
Calmer moods and better stress tolerance
Better digestion and regularity
Increased energy and focus
Relief from stubborn, unexplained symptoms
These aren’t miracles—they’re the result of removing interference and allowing the body to do what it was designed to do.
Is Upper Cervical Care Right for You?
If you’ve been living with chronic symptoms that no one can explain…
If your scans look “fine” but you know something’s off…
If you’ve had head or neck injuries, whiplash, or even birth trauma…
It might be time to look at your upper cervical spine.
The brainstem doesn’t take a day off. It’s always working—so shouldn’t we do everything we can to make sure it’s working well?
If you’re ready to stop chasing symptoms and finally address the root of the problem, let’s connect.
Click here to schedule a call with me and find out if Upper Cervical care is the missing link in your health journey.
I’ll Handley it.