(808) 498-0295 info@atlas-specific.com

Frequently Asked Questions 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT ON MY FIRST VISIT?

Our first visit is a discovery process to check the state of your spine and nervous system. We will go through a complete health history, talk about your health concerns and goals, and explain exactly what we do in the office.

We will then move into a thorough exam. The exam includes a chiropractic neurospinal exam, thermography studies, heart rate variability, specific upper cervical x-rays, and any additional x-rays that may be necessary.

At that point we would send you home and bring you back the next day to go over all of the exam and x-ray findings.

That would let us know exactly what is going on, if you are a candidate for upper cervical care, if we can help, and create an individualized care plan moving forward.

WILL YOU ADJUST ME ON THE FIRST VISIT?

Upper Cervical is very serious and specific. Your atlas and axis bones can misalign in 274 ways. We will not guess about your health, especially since these bones surround the brainstem. The doctors will analyze, measure, and draw lines on your x-rays before any adjustment will happen. We will have the x-rays analyzed by the next day so that we can share the results, talk about the plan moving forward, and give you your first upper cervical correction.

DO YOU ACCEPT INSURANCE?

To provide you the best care possible we take payment at the time of service. Upon request we can provide you with a receipt with the proper codes that you can then submit to your insurance company. They will reimburse you directly for the services that they cover. This enables us to give you the care you need based off your exam and x-rays.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST MOVING FORWARD?

Your health history, exam, and x-ray findings will give the doctor a better idea of how long it will take to get maximum correction. We will put together a customized plan based on your goals for your ongoing care. The cost will vary depending on the amount of care needed.

WILL I NEED TO KEEP COMING FOREVER?

Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a different approach to caring for the spine. Our ultimate goal is that you begin to start “holding” your adjustments for extended periods of time. After an initial period of Corrective Care we will switch you to Maintenance Care where the period of time between adjustments is continuing to increase. Much like you will continue to see a dentist to get your teeth checked, it only makes sense that you would continue to have your spine and nervous system checked. Maintenance care looks different for everyone.  How quickly your body adapts to upper cervical correction is dependent on age, level of spinal decay, history of trauma to the spine and lifestyle factors. It is not uncommon for patients to go months without needing an adjustment. We have very affordable monthly rates to accommodate our maintenance patients. Ultimately, it is your choice to continue with care as long as you want to see the benefits of a fully functioning nervous system.

DO YOU ADJUST OTHER AREAS OF THE SPINE?

Primarily due to a very strong reflex called the Righting Reflex, the alignment of the Upper Cervical Spine dictates the alignment of the entire spine. Through specific upper cervical corrections, misalignments throughout the spine typically resolve over time. There are some exceptions that we may address other areas of the spine.  This may include women who are pregnant, or people with a traumatic injury or severe long term degeneration. In this case, other adjustments may be made once the upper cervical region has started holding its correction.

I'M PREGNANT, IS IT SAFE TO BE ADJUSTED?

Absolutely!  We have special pillows and tables to create ease for pregnant women to get adjusted through all stages of pregnancy.  Getting adjusted can create better birth outcomes, easier labors, and optimal position and nerve supply for baby as they grow and develop.  Chiropractic care can help prevent discomfort like sciatic and round ligament pain for mamas whose bodies are changing too.