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Supporting Cognitive Health and Memory Retention with Upper Cervical Chiropractic

6/22/2025

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Supporting Cognitive Health and Memory Retention with Upper Cervical Chiropractic
When most people think of chiropractic care, they often associate it with back pain, neck tension, or posture. But the reality is far more connected—and fascinating. Your spine, especially the upper cervical region, plays a central role in how well your brain and body communicate, which has direct implications for cognitive function and memory.

At Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, Dr. Joey Miles has seen firsthand how subtle misalignments in the upper neck can interfere with neurological clarity—and how restoring proper alignment can help patients of all ages regain focus, memory sharpness, and mental clarity.
​

The Brain-Body Connection Starts in the Neck


The
upper cervical spine, made up of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, sits just below the base of your skull. It protects your brainstem, supports your skull, and influences your posture and balance.

But this region does far more than provide structure.

Because of its proximity to the brainstem and central nervous system, a misalignment in the upper cervical spine can interfere with:

  • Blood flow to the brain
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage
  • Neural signal transmission
  • Brainstem function and autonomic control

In simpler terms, if the top of your spine is out of alignment—even by a millimeter—it can throw off your body’s entire communication system. Over time, this can manifest as
mental fog, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or even a lack of emotional regulation.
​

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic May Benefit Cognitive Function

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic May Benefit Cognitive Function
While upper cervical chiropractic care is not a direct treatment for neurological disorders or memory loss, it can support brain health by removing interference from the nervous system and promoting optimal function. Here’s how:
​

1. Improved Blood Flow to the Brain


Misalignments at the atlas can restrict vertebral artery flow, which supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain. Proper alignment may promote better
cerebral circulation, which is essential for alertness, memory formation, and focus.
​

2. Better Cerebrospinal Fluid Movement


The brain relies on CSF to remove toxins, distribute nutrients, and maintain internal balance. Disruption in upper cervical alignment can hinder CSF flow, possibly contributing to brain fog or sluggishness. Correcting this alignment can restore
natural CSF movement, supporting clarity and mental energy.
​

3. Reduced Neurological Stress


When the brainstem is under mechanical stress, it may signal a constant “fight or flight” response, which drains mental resources. By aligning the cervical spine, we can help reduce this neurological stress, leading to
calmer, more focused thinking.
​

4. Enhanced Sleep Quality


Proper upper cervical alignment often helps patients
sleep better. Because sleep is critical to memory retention and cognitive processing, chiropractic care may support better long-term brain performance simply by helping you rest more deeply.
​

Who Can Benefit from Cognitive Support Through Chiropractic?


Many patients report noticeable mental improvements after starting care. Upper cervical chiropractic may be helpful for:
​
  • Students and professionals experiencing brain fog or mental burnout
  • Older adults seeking to preserve memory and alertness
  • Individuals with a history of concussion or mild traumatic brain injuries
  • People under chronic stress who feel mentally fatigued
  • Anyone with unexplained attention or memory issues despite a healthy lifestyle
​

A Gentle Approach with Real Impact


One of the unique aspects of upper cervical chiropractic care is its
gentle and precise nature. Dr. Joey Miles uses advanced imaging and specialized techniques to make targeted corrections without forceful twisting or cracking.

Patients often find this approach both comforting and effective, especially when seeking care for neurological or cognitive concerns. The goal isn’t just to correct posture—it’s to restore balance in the nervous system, which influences everything from your thoughts to your sleep and energy.
​

Real Stories from the Carolinas


At Healthy Living Spinal Care, we’ve heard countless testimonials from patients who started care for neck pain or injury—only to discover a
clearer mind, better memory, and more mental energy as a side benefit. For some, it was easier to focus at work. For others, it meant remembering appointments, names, or conversations more easily.

This kind of progress doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistent care and proper alignment, the body’s built-in intelligence starts working at full capacity again.
​

Your Brain Deserves Clear Communication


If you’re in
Hickory, NC, or nearby areas like Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, or Statesville, and you’re seeking natural ways to support cognitive performance, Dr. Joey Miles and the team at Healthy Living Spinal Care are here to help.

Whether you're managing the mental drain of a high-stress job or looking to maintain brain health as you age, exploring upper cervical chiropractic may provide a gentle and effective path forward.
​

Medical Disclaimer


​This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please consult a licensed healthcare provider for diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. Upper cervical chiropractic care is a supportive therapy and is not a substitute for neurological or cognitive healthcare.
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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.

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

828-485-2990

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