Buyer's Guide
How to Choose an Upper Cervical Chiropractor
Choosing an upper cervical chiropractor comes down to a handful of concrete, checkable factors: specific technique training, whether imaging is used to guide correction, condition focus, and how progress is tracked over time.
This isn’t a ranking — it’s a checklist. Upper cervical care is a specific discipline within chiropractic, distinct from general full-spine adjustment, and the quality of it varies by how precisely a provider actually practices it. Use the criteria below with any provider you’re considering, including us.
Specific technique certification
Upper cervical technique names — Advanced Orthogonal, NUCCA, Blair, Atlas Orthogonal, and others — each involve dedicated post-graduate training beyond a general chiropractic degree. Ask which technique a provider is certified in and how long they’ve practiced it specifically.
Imaging-guided correction
A hallmark of upper cervical technique is using precision imaging to measure the exact misalignment before correcting it, and to verify the correction afterward — rather than adjusting by feel alone. Ask whether imaging is part of the process and whether you’ll see your own measurements.
Condition focus and case history with your specific symptom
Upper cervical care is used for a range of presentations — vertigo, migraines, POTS, concussion recovery, and others — but not every provider has deep experience with every one. Ask directly whether the provider regularly sees patients with your specific symptom.
How correction frequency is decided
Because upper cervical corrections are designed to hold, visit frequency should be based on how well your body is holding the correction over time — measured at follow-up visits — rather than a fixed package sold up front.
Cost transparency
You should be able to get a clear answer on cost for the initial exam and imaging, and how ongoing care is priced, before you commit — not after.
Willingness to refer out
A provider who tells you plainly when upper cervical care is not a good fit for your case — and refers you elsewhere — is generally a better sign than one who says yes to every case.
How Gateway Upper Cervical Institute fits this checklist
At Gateway Upper Cervical Institute, correction is performed using the Advanced Orthogonal technique, which Dr. Orris is certified in, guided by digital imaging measured for each patient. Care spans headaches and migraines, vertigo and dizziness, concussion and mTBI, POTS, trigeminal neuralgia, TMJ dysfunction, brain fog, tinnitus, and arm or hand numbness and tingling, and a one-week intensive option exists for out-of-town patients. Call (636) 271-2960 with any of the questions above — direct answers are the point of this checklist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is upper cervical chiropractic different from a regular chiropractic adjustment?
Yes. Upper cervical technique focuses specifically on the alignment of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) at the top of the neck, typically using imaging to guide a precise, low-force correction, rather than adjusting the full spine by feel.
Are all upper cervical techniques the same?
No. Advanced Orthogonal, NUCCA, Blair, and Atlas Orthogonal are distinct, separately-certified techniques with different measurement and correction methods, even though they share the same general focus on the upper neck.
How do I know if upper cervical care is right for my condition?
A proper evaluation — health history, neurological screening, and imaging — is what actually answers this, not a symptom list alone. A provider who reviews your case before recommending care, and who is willing to say no, is a good sign.
Have a question this page didn't answer?
Call (636) 271-2960 — we're glad to talk through your specific situation before you decide anything.