• (828) 485-2990​
  • [email protected]
HEALTHY LIVING SPINAL CARE | Hickory, North Carolina
  • Home
  • About
  • How We CAn Help You
  • Our TEAM
  • CONTACT US
  • TEST 2
  • Health Conditions
  • Home
  • How We Help
  • Our Team
  • Health Conditions
    • Asthma and Allergies
    • Back Pain
    • Digestive Disorders
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Migraine Headaches
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • UC Documentary
  • Home
  • How We Help
  • Our Team
  • Health Conditions
    • Asthma and Allergies
    • Back Pain
    • Digestive Disorders
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Migraine Headaches
  • Reviews
  • Contact
  • UC Documentary

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Enhances Recovery After Surgery or Injury

6/9/2025

0 Comments

 
How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Enhances Recovery After Surgery or Injury
Recovering from surgery or injury isn’t just about healing the affected area—it’s about restoring the body’s full ability to function, move, and thrive. While physical therapy, rest, and medication are common parts of the recovery process, a growing number of people are exploring how upper cervical chiropractic care can play a vital role in speeding up healing and enhancing overall outcomes.
​

At Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, Dr. Joey Miles works with patients not only to manage pain but also to help their bodies return to balance after traumatic injuries or surgical procedures. Whether it’s a joint replacement, a sports-related injury, or a spinal surgery, upper cervical care provides a gentle, neurologically focused approach that supports whole-body recovery.
​

Understanding the Healing Process


When you experience trauma—whether from a fall, surgery, accident, or repetitive strain—your body responds with a coordinated healing plan:
​
  • Inflammation protects the area and begins tissue repair.
  • Nerve signals direct immune and healing resources to the injury site.
  • Muscle guarding often occurs to protect the area from further damage.
  • Compensation patterns can develop, affecting posture and movement.

This process is necessary, but it can sometimes get “stuck,” especially if communication between the
brain and body is disrupted. That’s where the upper cervical spine comes into play.

The Brain-Body Highway: Why the Upper Cervical Spine Matter


The
upper cervical spine—made up of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2)—sits at the base of the skull and surrounds the brainstem. This area is like a control tower for your nervous system, helping regulate:

  • Muscle tone and coordination
  • Pain perception
  • Balance and proprioception
  • Blood pressure and circulation
  • Inflammation response

When these top two vertebrae are misaligned—even slightly—they can
interfere with nerve flow, create tension throughout the spine, and delay your recovery process.

That’s why upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on restoring alignment and communication between the brain and the body—so your natural healing systems can work at full capacity.
​

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Supports Recovery

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Supports Recovery

1. Improves Nervous System Function


After surgery or trauma, your nervous system may be overwhelmed or operating inefficiently. Upper cervical adjustments reduce interference at the brainstem level, which can improve nerve signaling throughout the body and promote
faster and more accurate healing.
​

2. Reduces Muscle Tension and Guarding


When the body detects instability or pain, muscles often contract to “guard” the area. But this can lead to secondary pain, tension, and compensation in other joints. By restoring spinal balance, upper cervical care helps the body
relax unnecessary muscle guarding and return to natural posture.
​

3. Restores Structural Balance


An injury to one part of the body often causes others to
compensate. For example, someone recovering from knee surgery may shift their weight to the other leg, leading to hip or back pain. Upper cervical adjustments help realign the body from the top down, reducing compensatory strain and promoting more even recovery.
​

4. Supports Better Circulation and Lymph Flow


Healing tissues require a
steady supply of oxygen and nutrients as well as the removal of waste through the lymphatic system. Proper spinal alignment—especially at the top of the neck—can improve circulation and reduce congestion, giving your body a better internal environment for healing.
​

5. Enhances Recovery from Anesthesia or Medications


Post-surgical fog, fatigue, and sluggishness are often tied to how well your body processes medications. A balanced nervous system supports
detoxification pathways and can help reduce post-anesthesia symptoms more quickly.
​

What Types of Recovery Can Upper Cervical Care Support?


Upper cervical chiropractic is beneficial in recovery from a wide range of procedures and injuries, including:
​
  • Joint surgeries like hip or knee replacements
  • Spinal surgery (such as laminectomies, fusions, or discectomies)
  • Car accidents resulting in whiplash or concussion
  • Sports injuries to the shoulders, knees, ankles, or spine
  • Postpartum recovery after childbirth
  • Work-related repetitive strain injuries
  • Slip-and-fall or traumatic injuries

If you’ve experienced a life-altering event, upper cervical care can be a gentle, non-invasive complement to your recovery plan.

Safe, Precise, and Tailored to You


One of the most reassuring aspects of upper cervical care is how gentle and precise it is. Unlike traditional spinal adjustments that involve twisting or force, Dr. Joey Miles uses imaging and a custom-tailored approach to correct only what’s necessary, often with a light touch or subtle repositioning.

That means it’s safe for people:
​
  • Recovering from recent surgery
  • With spinal hardware (rods, plates, screws)
  • With osteoporosis or frailty
  • Managing chronic pain or inflammatory conditions
​

Tips to Maximize Recovery Alongside Chiropractic Care


To get the most out of your recovery, try these supportive habits:
​
  • Hydrate regularly to support tissue repair
  • Incorporate movement slowly, starting with gentle stretching or walking
  • Practice deep breathing to oxygenate the blood and calm the nervous system
  • Follow your post-op instructions and communicate with all healthcare providers
  • ​Sleep on a supportive pillow to protect spinal alignment at night
​

Real Recovery, Close to Home


Dr. Joey Miles and the team at
Healthy Living Spinal Care are proud to support patients across Hickory, NC, as well as nearby communities like Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville. Their mission is to help you feel at home in your body again—faster, naturally, and with long-lasting results.

Whether you’re recovering from a surgical procedure or bouncing back from an injury, you don’t have to do it alone. With the right support, your body is capable of remarkable healing—and it often starts from the top down.
​

Medical Disclaimer


​This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment, including chiropractic care. Chiropractic services do not replace post-operative care or emergency medical services.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

How To Manage A Pinched Nerve With A Chiropractor for Migraines In Hickory

Neck pain in Hickory, or soreness in other parts of your body, can come from a variety of different sources. These range from arthritis to tendonitis to torn cartilages in your joints. This also doesn’t include the variety of other conditions that have back pain in Hickory as a common symptom. One common such example is getting a pinched nerve in the upper part of the spine, also known as cervical radiculopathy. This generally occurs when bone spurs start to appear around the discs in the spine. When everything is working well, the discs should absorb the shocks between each individual vertebra. A bone spur is a small bit of bone that is formed as we age and discs get weaker. When things go properly, bone spurs support the vertebrae as they get weaker, However, in some cases, those spurs press on nerve roots, leading to other symptoms.
 
Symptoms of Pinched Nerves
How do you tell that the soreness you are dealing with stems from a pinched nerve? No matter what area it’s in, you’re going to need to have an in-depth exam of the affected area to be absolutely certain. As an example, a pinched nerve is generally localized in one area. Another thing to note is that these are normally very sharp soreness. By comparison, if you simply overexerted a muscle, the sensation would likely be a duller strain. In some cases, a pinch may never have any other symptoms. Some people feel a sensation of pins and needles in a certain area. Others may feel numbness or weakness when trying to lift something.
 
Depending on where you feel your symptoms and the exact nature of them, your medical professional may be able to determine if it is a pinched nerve or not quite quickly. Generally, though, an exam will still be administered. These start by testing sensitivity, strength, and reflexes. You may be told to do different stretches and movements to determine what leads to symptoms and what relieves them. You’ll also likely need to provide details about your pain. For example, be sure to have a record of when the pain started, and any activities that you do that cause soreness to flare up. If it is soothed by certain activities, be sure to mention those as well. Your doctor might also ask if you have had other health changes or recently increased your physical activities. If the spinal nerves are impacted, they can manifest in surprising ways, like bladder and bowel issues.
 
Say that your standard exam isn’t enough to get to the root of these issues. Your doctor may instead decide to do imaging tests to figure out what’s causing the pinched nerve and where it is. This is mostly administered through X-rays or MRI scans. An X-ray can showcase details going on with your bones, but won’t show your discs and nerves. With this said, they can be useful for determining if you have narrow vertebrae or bone spurs. An MRI is able to do more, showing how healthy your nerves and discs are in detail. In some cases, an X-ray may be done to a certain area to check for bone injury. Lastly, if the issue is due to injured ligaments or tendons, an ultrasound may be needed.
 
Working With Your Fibromyalgia Chiropractor In Hickory
So, if you suspect that a pinched nerve is behind your soreness, or know it for a fact, what can you do? One asset that you have is doing a posture adjustment. To start, try and find a position that helps you feel comfortable with your soreness. After this, you can adapt your lifestyle and living spaces to help you stay in that posture as much as possible. For a lot of people, doing this in the workplace is a major source of problems. One way to get around this is by using a standing workplace. These help prevent pinched nerves, treat existing ones, and just lower overall soreness. You can either ask the HR department to modify your existing space or buy your own.
 
Another thing to note is that whenever you are dealing with a pinched nerve, you want to make sure that you are as rested as possible, along with lowering any activity that leads to soreness. Try and keep the cycle of rest going until your symptoms subside. After this, you can begin to start testing things together. For certain types of issues, like carpal tunnel syndrome, you may be able to use a splint to protect your wrist.
 
You have a lot of options that you can do at home to help lower soreness from pinched nerves. For example, a gentle stretch can help provide relief, but you don’t want to overextend yourself. Focus on smaller movements, and if you find yourself getting sore again, try and do something less intensive. Think about applying heat to your muscles in the affected area to help them loosen. Heat also supports healing by promoting blood flow. Generally, you want to apply it for 10-15 minutes at a time. You can also do ice instead if you prefer. Simply get some ice, wrap it in a washcloth, and apply it to the area for 10-15 minutes as well.
 
If you want additional help, consider looking into NSAIDs. These can help quite a bit with mild soreness and can be brought over the counter. With that said, just make sure that you read and stick to the recommended dosage. These aren’t going to be able to provide total coverage as well. If you find that you’re dealing with consistent, extreme, or repeated soreness, reach out to a medical professional. On top of performing the exams before, they may be able to provide a prescription for more powerful medication. They may also recommend a specialist like a chiropractor in Hickory. This will help you get the treatment you need.

Healthy Living Spinal Care
1055 13th St., SE , Hickory, NC 28602

828-485-2990

Office Hours:
Monday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 10:00am - 3:00pm
Wednesday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Thursday: By Appointment Only
Friday: 8:30am - 2:00pm

Our Office in Hickory, NC


CONTACT US  |  REVIEWS  |  MINDSET  |  SPINAL CARE  |  HABITS  |  NUTRITION  |  MOVEMENT  |  DETOX   |   HOW WE CAN HELP   |   OUR TEAM   |   ASTHMA & ALLERGIES    |   BACK PAIN   |   DIGESTIVE DISORDERS   |   FIBROMYALGIA   |   MIGRAINE HEADACHES   |   BLOG   |   UPPER CERVICAL DOCUMENTARY
Order Supplements (Doctor Code: NCMI10)

Voted by the Community of Catawba County - Best Chiropractor
Best of Catawba Valley
​Website developed by Healthy Chiropractice

Chiropractic Clinic  •  Chiropractor for Digestive Disorders  •  Asthma Chiropractor  •  Fibromyalgia Chiropractor  •  Low Back Pain
© 2020 Healthy Living Spinal Care, Inc.