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The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Reducing Chronic Inflammation

5/12/2025

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The Role of Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Reducing Chronic Inflammation
Chronic inflammation is a silent contributor to many of the most common health problems faced today. From arthritis and digestive disorders to cardiovascular conditions and autoimmune diseases, persistent inflammation can quietly damage tissues, increase pain, and exhaust the body’s natural defenses over time.

While medications may offer temporary relief, they often fail to address the underlying causes. That’s where upper cervical chiropractic care steps in as a natural, non-invasive method for supporting the body’s ability to manage inflammation at its source.

Dr. Joey Miles at Healthy Living Spinal Care in Hickory, NC, explains how restoring alignment in the upper cervical spine can positively influence the nervous system, helping to regulate the body’s inflammatory response and promote long-term health.
​

Understanding Chronic Inflammation


Inflammation is the body’s natural defense mechanism. When you’re injured or fighting off infection, inflammation helps to isolate the threat and begin the healing process. But when inflammation becomes chronic—due to ongoing stress, poor posture, undiagnosed injuries, or nervous system imbalances—it can become harmful.

Chronic inflammation has been linked to:
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  • Joint and muscle pain
  • Headaches and migraines
  • Digestive issues (e.g., IBS, Crohn’s)
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Heart disease and high blood pressure
  • Neurodegenerative disorders
  • Autoimmune flare-ups

Many of these conditions share a common thread: nervous system dysregulation. This is where upper cervical chiropractic becomes a valuable ally.
​

How the Upper Cervical Spine Influences Inflammation


The upper cervical spine includes the
atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae, which are located at the top of the spine just beneath the skull. These vertebrae protect the brainstem, which plays a crucial role in controlling autonomic functions—like breathing, heart rate, digestion, and yes, inflammation.

When the atlas or axis is misaligned, it can:
​
  • Interfere with nerve communication
  • Disrupt signaling between the brain and immune system
  • Trigger imbalances in hormonal and chemical responses
  • Lead to muscle tension and reduced circulation

All of these effects can
feed the cycle of chronic inflammation—even if the original injury or trigger has long since healed.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps Regulate Inflammation

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Helps Regulate Inflammation

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on gentle, precise adjustments to correct misalignments in the top of the spine. These adjustments relieve pressure on the brainstem and surrounding nerves, restoring balance to the nervous system and reducing the stress that contributes to inflammation.

Here’s how it works:
​

1. Restoring Nervous System Balance


When the nervous system is functioning properly, it can better regulate inflammatory processes. Realignment of the upper cervical spine removes interference that may be:
​
  • Overstimulating the immune response
  • Causing excess muscle tension and joint inflammation
  • Preventing the brain from sending calming signals to inflamed areas
​

2. Reducing Musculoskeletal Stress


Misalignments in the upper cervical spine often lead to
postural compensation throughout the body. This can result in:

  • Chronic strain on muscles and ligaments
  • Joint irritation
  • Localized inflammation in the back, neck, hips, and shoulders

Correcting upper cervical misalignments helps rebalance posture, reduce structural stress, and allow soft tissues to heal—naturally reducing inflammation.
​

3. Enhancing Vagus Nerve Function


The vagus nerve, a major player in inflammation control, originates at the brainstem. It helps regulate the body’s anti-inflammatory reflex, influencing everything from gut health to immune response.
Misalignment of the upper cervical spine can affect vagus nerve function. Adjustments can improve:
​
  • Heart rate variability (a marker of parasympathetic nervous system activity)
  • Digestive efficiency
  • Immune regulation
  • Mood and stress response (which also influence inflammation)
​

4. Supporting Better Circulation and Lymph Flow


Proper spinal alignment encourages healthy blood flow and lymphatic drainage—two essential components of inflammation regulation. By improving posture and removing tension around blood vessels and lymph channels, upper cervical care:
​
  • Aids in detoxification
  • Reduces fluid retention and swelling
  • Enhances oxygen and nutrient delivery to tissues
​

Who Can Benefit from Upper Cervical Care for Inflammation?


Upper cervical chiropractic care may be especially helpful for individuals dealing with:
​
  • Chronic joint or muscle pain
  • Autoimmune conditions (like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus)
  • Neurological disorders linked to inflammation
  • Post-concussion symptoms
  • Digestive inflammation
  • Stress-related inflammatory flare-ups

By addressing one of the root causes—nervous system dysfunction—upper cervical adjustments can be a key part of a broader wellness strategy.

Complementary Lifestyle Habits for Inflammation Control


While upper cervical care lays the foundation, additional habits can support inflammation reduction:
​
  • Eat anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and omega-3-rich fish
  • Get quality sleep to promote recovery and hormonal balance
  • Manage stress through mindfulness, deep breathing, or yoga
  • Stay active with gentle movement that supports circulation and joint mobility
  • Hydrate to support detoxification and joint lubrication

These simple habits, paired with upper cervical chiropractic care, can make a profound difference in your body’s ability to manage inflammation naturally.

Serving the Community with Natural Healing


At
Healthy Living Spinal Care, Dr. Joey Miles serves residents of Hickory, Lenoir, Conover, Lincolnton, and Statesville, NC, helping patients take control of their health through precise and personalized upper cervical chiropractic care.

Whether you're managing a chronic inflammatory condition or looking to prevent future issues, upper cervical chiropractic offers a safe, gentle, and effective approach to long-term wellness.
​

A Smarter Way to Manage Inflammation


Inflammation is not the enemy—it’s a signal. When the body’s communication system is disrupted, that signal can become louder and more damaging.
Upper cervical chiropractic care helps calm that signal by restoring the natural alignment and flow of information in the nervous system.

If you're looking for a natural, non-invasive strategy to reduce chronic inflammation and feel better from the inside out, start at the top—with your upper cervical spine.
​

Medical Disclaimer


​This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before beginning any new treatment or therapy. Chiropractic care is not a replacement for medical care or treatment for serious 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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