Your Initial Visit
A Personalized, Data-Driven Approach to Care
At Kindspine Chiropractic Center, your first visit is a comprehensive initial examination designed to fully understand your health, your spine, and your nervous system.
Your first visit includes a detailed exam using advanced diagnostic tools to determine whether Upper Cervical care is appropriate for you.
To help us prepare, we ask all new patients to complete the new patient forms prior to arrival. If you have recent x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging, please bring them with you.
What to Expect Day One
Health and History Review
Dr. Peterson will carefully review your health history, current symptoms, lifestyle factors, and previous injuries to gain a complete picture of your case.
Comprehensive Examination & Imaging
Your initial exam includes:
- Digital motion x-rays to assess spinal alignment and mobility.
- Nervous system testing, including computerized infrared thermography to analyze adaptability of the brainstem.
- Specialized functional testing to measure neurological stress and compensations.
These objective findings allow us to identify the root cause of dysfunction rather than guessing or focusing on symptoms alone. After your visit, your doctor will thoroughly analyze all exam findings and imaging before making any care recommendations.
Computerized Paraspinal Infrared Thermography
Computerized infrared thermography is an FDA-approved, non-invasive test that measures heat patterns along the spine. We use it during your initial examination and at every visit throughout your care plan. These patterns provide insight into the function of the autonomic nervous system and help identify areas of neurological imbalance associated with upper cervical subluxation. These nervous system scans are completely safe and painless.
At Kindspine, thermography allows us to objectively assess changes in autonomic nervous system function over time. By comparing scans taken before and after adjustments, we can monitor progress and confirm whether the nervous system is responding appropriately to care. Our focus is not just on making an adjustment, but on restoring balance to the central nervous system so the body can heal and function at its highest potential.
Your Second Visit
During your follow-up appointment, Dr. Peterson will:
- Explain your exam results, x-rays, and nervous system findings in detail.
- Discuss whether you are a candidate for Upper Cervical care.
- Present a personalized care plan, including recommended frequency, duration, and cost.
No care plan is started until all findings have been reviewed and clearly explained.
Informed & Empowered Care
We believe patients make the best decisions when they fully understand their health. Our process is designed to be transparent, educational, and evidence-based so you feel confident at every step.
If you’re new to chiropractic or Upper Cervical care, we invite you to explore our FAQs to learn more about how this approach works and the conditions it may help.
Frequently Asked Chiropractic Questions
Looking for answers about chiropractic care and how it may help you? We’ve put together clear explanations to some of the questions we hear most often.
Upper Cervical Chiropractic focuses on the top two bones in the neck (C1 – atlas and C2 – axis) and their relationship with the brainstem. When these bones are out of alignment, they can place stress on the nervous system and affect the body’s ability to function properly. By gently correcting this area, balance is restored, and the body is able to heal more naturally, addressing the cause, not just the symptoms.
Yes. Chiropractic is widely recognised as a safe and effective form of care. It’s non-invasive, drug-free, and the most common side effect is mild soreness, similar to how you might feel after starting a new workout, which usually goes away quickly.
A misalignment happens when the head, neck, or upper vertebra (atlas) shifts out of its proper position. This can disrupt nerve communication between the brain and body, leading to poor posture, imbalance, and discomfort. Correcting these misalignments helps restore proper function throughout the spine and nervous system.
A subluxation occurs when one or more vertebrae move out of place, putting pressure on the nerves that exit the spine. This interference can disrupt how the brain and body communicate. Chiropractors address subluxations with precise adjustments, helping to restore proper nerve flow and overall health.
Subluxations can develop from daily stresses such as poor posture, repetitive movements, or even the way we sit, sleep, and lift. They can also result from injuries like falls, car accidents, or sports impacts. In some cases, subluxations may occur as early as birth due to the strain of delivery.
An upper cervical adjustment is a gentle, precise correction of the bones in the upper neck. This restores proper alignment, relieves nerve pressure, and allows the spine and body to function at their best.
Retracing refers to the body revisiting old symptoms or patterns as it responds to Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. Some patients may temporarily notice symptoms they have not felt for months or years. While this can feel concerning, it may be part of the body working back through previous stages of dysfunction as it moves toward improved function.
The timeline varies from patient to patient. Long-standing issues may take longer to improve because the body needs time to adapt, heal, and restore healthier function.
Yes. Chiropractors don’t just focus on pain relief, they correct subluxations so the body can function optimally. While many people seek care for back or neck pain, chiropractic can also support overall health and has been shown to help with issues like headaches, sciatica, ear infections, allergies, fibromyalgia, and more.
Not Sure if Upper Cervical Care is Right for You?
At Kindspine Chiropractic Center, we provide a complimentary consultation so you can explore your options without pressure. Our team will take the time to answer your questions and help determine if Upper Cervical Specific care is the right fit for your health goals.