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Managing Arthritis Symptoms Naturally with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

6/16/2025

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Managing Arthritis Symptoms Naturally with Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care
Arthritis is more than just joint pain—it's a daily challenge that can affect your mobility, independence, and quality of life. Whether it’s the stiffness in your knees each morning or the aching discomfort in your hands, arthritis can gradually chip away at your ability to do the things you love.

While medications and physical therapy are common approaches, many people are now exploring natural, non-invasive options to help manage arthritis symptoms. One approach that’s gaining attention is upper cervical chiropractic care—a precise form of spinal care that focuses on the alignment of the top two bones in the neck.

At Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, Dr. Joey Miles helps patients from Hickory, Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville discover how small changes at the top of the spine can create positive ripple effects throughout the body—including relief from arthritis-related discomfort.
​

Understanding the Arthritis Puzzle


Before we get into chiropractic care, let’s briefly review what arthritis is. Arthritis refers to inflammation in the joints, and there are
over 100 different forms, but the most common are:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA) – the “wear and tear” type that comes with age or joint overuse.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) – an autoimmune disease that attacks the joints, often symmetrically.
  • Psoriatic arthritis, gout, and lupus-related arthritis also fall into the category.

While each type has its own cause and characteristics, they all tend to share symptoms like:

  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • Swelling and inflammation
  • Reduced range of motion
  • Muscle fatigue or weakness

And though arthritis is often treated as a
localized joint problem, more and more evidence suggests that nervous system function and spinal alignment play a broader role in how the body processes pain and inflammation.
​

What Does the Upper Cervical Spine Have to Do with Arthritis?


The
upper cervical spine refers to the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae at the very top of the neck. These two bones support the weight of the head, allow for head rotation and movement, and most importantly—they protect the brainstem.

When these vertebrae are even slightly misaligned, the impact can ripple through the body in several ways:
​
  • Nerve communication becomes disrupted, which may affect muscle tone, immune system behavior, and joint function.
  • Blood and cerebrospinal fluid flow can become impaired, reducing the body’s ability to remove waste and regulate inflammation.
  • Posture and joint loading become unbalanced, which may lead to accelerated wear and tear in the hips, knees, and spine—common areas for arthritis.

In short, when your head isn’t on straight, your joints may pay the price.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Help with Arthritis

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Can Help with Arthritis

Dr. Joey Miles specializes in upper cervical chiropractic—a technique that doesn’t involve any twisting, cracking, or popping. Instead, he uses advanced imaging and a tailored plan to gently realign the atlas and axis vertebrae. Here’s how that may help with arthritis symptoms:
​

1. Reducing Inflammation


Misalignments can irritate the nervous system and contribute to
chronic, low-grade inflammation throughout the body. By correcting these misalignments, upper cervical adjustments may help reduce systemic inflammation—a key contributor to arthritis pain and stiffness.
​

2. Improving Posture and Joint Load


Even small misalignments in the upper spine can cause the head to tilt, forcing the body to compensate by altering posture. This can place
uneven stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and ankles. Rebalancing the spine may reduce the strain on these joints, promoting better long-term joint health.
​

3. Enhancing Mobility and Range of Motion


With reduced nerve interference and muscular tension, many patients report
improved flexibility and range of motion after receiving upper cervical care. This is especially beneficial for those with arthritis, as stiffness can limit daily activities and increase fall risk.
​

4. Supporting the Immune System


In autoimmune types of arthritis like RA, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy joint tissue. Since the brainstem plays a role in
immune regulation, improving brain-body communication through upper cervical care may help support healthier immune function over time.
​

What to Expect from Treatment


Upper cervical chiropractic care is known for being:

  • Gentle – No forceful adjustments or spinal cracking.
  • Precise – Based on detailed imaging to target the exact misalignment.
  • Personalized – Care plans are tailored to each person’s unique spinal structure and health needs.

Dr. Joey Miles takes the time to evaluate your condition, lifestyle, and health history before recommending care. Many patients with arthritis appreciate the low-impact nature of upper cervical adjustments and their emphasis on long-term wellness rather than short-term symptom suppression.
​

Complementary Tips for Managing Arthritis Naturally


Upper cervical care works best as part of a holistic lifestyle. To further support joint health, consider integrating these habits:
​
  • Stay active with low-impact exercises like swimming, walking, or yoga.
  • Eat an anti-inflammatory diet rich in leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, and healthy fats.
  • Use hot/cold therapy to soothe stiff joints.
  • Stay hydrated, as dehydration can worsen joint discomfort.
  • ​Get restorative sleep to help the body recover and manage inflammation.
​

Care Rooted in Community


Dr. Joey Miles and his team at
Healthy Living Spinal Care are proud to serve Hickory and surrounding communities including Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville, NC. With a commitment to precision, compassion, and long-term wellness, they offer a natural path for those seeking relief from arthritis and other chronic conditions.
​

A Natural Path Forward


While arthritis may be a long-term condition, the discomfort that comes with it doesn’t have to control your life. By addressing the root of nervous system interference and restoring spinal balance,
upper cervical chiropractic care offers a natural, drug-free approach to reducing pain, improving mobility, and supporting whole-body health.

If you’re tired of relying solely on medications or looking for a complementary approach to arthritis management, it might be time to see what gentle upper cervical care can offer.
​

Medical Disclaimer


​This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment or therapy. Chiropractic care is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure specific diseases or conditions.
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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.

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