15 Exceptional Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Upper cervical chiropractic care has emerged as a specialized approach within the broader field of chiropractic treatments. By focusing on the uppermost vertebrae of the spine, this practice aims to restore optimal alignment and function. The specific focus on this region is due to its crucial role in overall neurological function and spinal health. Here's an exploration of the unparalleled advantages that upper cervical chiropractic care offers.

1. Precision and Specialization

• Targeted Care: The upper cervical region consists of the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) vertebrae. Misalignments here can impact the entire spinal column and nervous system. Upper cervical chiropractors have specialized training to adjust these two critical vertebrae.

2. Natural Pain Relief

• Holistic Approach: Instead of resorting to medication, which often only treats symptoms, upper cervical chiropractic addresses the root causes of pain, offering a more sustainable and holistic solution.

• Range of Conditions: From migraines and headaches to neck and back pain, the treatment can alleviate a variety of conditions stemming from misaligned vertebrae.

3. Improved Nervous System Function

• Brain-to-Body Communication: The upper cervical region plays a pivotal role in transmitting neurological signals from the brain to the rest of the body. Adjustments can improve this communication, leading to better overall body function.

4. Enhanced Mobility

• Restored Alignment: By ensuring the atlas and axis are correctly aligned, patients often experience increased range of motion and reduced stiffness in the neck.

5. Reduction in Vertigo and Ear Infections

• Fluid Drainage: Proper alignment can facilitate better drainage of the eustachian tube, potentially reducing the occurrence of ear infections and symptoms of vertigo.

6. Better Posture

• Spinal Integrity: Correcting upper cervical misalignments can influence the alignment of the entire spine, leading to improved posture and reduced strain on the musculoskeletal system.

7. Increased Energy and Vitality

• Optimal Flow: With enhanced nerve flow and reduced pain, many patients report feeling more energetic and vibrant after adjustments.

8. Non-Invasive and Safe

• Gentle Techniques: Unlike some medical procedures, upper cervical chiropractic adjustments are non-invasive, relying on gentle techniques that avoid the cracking and popping sounds many associate with chiropractic care.

9. Preventive Health

• Regular Adjustments: By maintaining proper alignment, regular visits can act as a preventive measure, warding off potential issues before they manifest as significant problems.

10. Improved Sleep Patterns

• Relief from Discomfort: A well-aligned cervical region can alleviate the discomfort and tension that often disrupt sleep. Many patients report improved sleep quality after undergoing upper cervical adjustments.

11. Enhanced Respiratory Function

• Open Airways: Misalignments in the upper cervical region can potentially impede neural signals that regulate respiratory function. By addressing these misalignments, there can be an improvement in breathing patterns, especially beneficial for those with asthma or other respiratory conditions.

12. Reduced Dependency on Medications

• Natural Healing: As upper cervical chiropractic care targets the root cause of many ailments, patients often find a reduced need for painkillers and other medications, leading to fewer side effects and a more natural approach to healing.

13. Boosted Immune System Function

• Neurological Connection: The spine plays a role in transmitting signals vital to immune system function. Ensuring that the upper cervical region is free from misalignments can facilitate the optimal functioning of the immune system, potentially leading to a reduced risk of illness.

14. Enhanced Balance and Coordination

• Central Role of the Cervical Region: The upper cervical spine plays a significant role in our sense of balance and coordination. Proper alignment and function can lead to improved physical stability, reducing the risk of falls, especially in older adults.

15. Emotional and Psychological Benefits

• Holistic Wellness: Beyond just physical relief, many patients experience an uplift in their mood and overall emotional well-being. The reduction in chronic pain and the restored sense of balance can contribute significantly to an individual's overall mental health.

The multifaceted benefits of upper cervical chiropractic extend far beyond just pain relief. Embracing this holistic approach to wellness can lead to significant improvements in both physical and mental health. As awareness grows and more individuals experience its transformative effects, upper cervical chiropractic care is poised to become a central pillar in holistic health and preventive care strategies.

We Are Here To Help

Dr. Gordon Elder, based at the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas, is a distinguished practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This specialized approach emphasizes upper cervical health, utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and non-invasive treatments.

At the outset of your treatment with Dr. Elder, a comprehensive screening is conducted. Leveraging cutting-edge 3D imaging, he meticulously measures and identifies any misalignments, ensuring that subsequent chiropractic interventions are both precise and tailored to your needs.

The actual correction phase under Dr. Elder is marked by its gentle nature. Rather than unsettling twists, the Blair method is characterized by swift, subtle adjustments.

Post-adjustment, while immediate relief is often experienced, it's crucial to understand that the body's rejuvenation journey is just starting. A correctly aligned spine paves the way for the body's innate healing mechanisms to kick into gear, revitalizing your overall health. To ensure sustained alignment and health benefits, Dr. Elder advises a series of follow-up visits followed by routine chiropractic maintenance.

Should your condition be hampering your daily activities and well-being, reach out to Dr. Elder's clinic. Proudly serving the communities of Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, and extending services to Hobbs in New Mexico, the Blair Chiropractic Clinic is committed to your spinal health and overall wellness.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

How Often Should You See An Upper Cervical Chiropractor?

Upper cervical chiropractic care, a specialized approach focusing on the uppermost vertebrae of the spine (primarily the atlas or C1 and axis or C2), has gained prominence due to its potential benefits for a range of health issues. However, as with any form of therapeutic intervention, frequency is crucial for optimal results. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide on how often one should see an upper cervical chiropractor.

Understanding Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care

Before diving into the frequency of visits, it's essential to grasp what upper cervical chiropractic care entails. Unlike traditional chiropractic adjustments, which may address larger regions of the spine or other joints, upper cervical care concentrates on the precise alignment of the top two vertebrae. Misalignments here can potentially affect the brainstem, blood flow, and the entire nervous system, leading to a host of health issues.

Initial Phase: Correction and Stabilization

• Intensive Correction Phase: Upon your first visit, the chiropractor will perform a comprehensive assessment, often using advanced imaging techniques. If misalignments are detected, you may need frequent visits during this initial phase – perhaps 2-3 times a week for several weeks. This frequency aids in re-establishing the correct position of the vertebrae.

• Stabilization Phase: Once the initial corrections are made, the next goal is to stabilize the spine. The frequency of visits during this phase generally decreases, and you might visit the chiropractor weekly or bi-weekly for a few months.

Maintenance Phase

After stabilization, the objective shifts to maintaining the optimal alignment of the upper cervical spine. Depending on individual needs, this can range from bi-weekly to monthly visits.

Wellness Phase

Once your spine maintains its proper alignment consistently, the wellness phase begins. Here, the objective is prevention and ensuring optimal spinal health. Visits can be spaced further apart, often ranging from once a month to once every couple of months or even longer.

Individual Factors Impacting Frequency

• Severity of Misalignment: Patients with severe misalignments may require more frequent adjustments initially.

• Age: Older patients might need more time for tissues to adapt and heal, affecting visit frequency.

• Overall Health and Lifestyle: A person who is active and healthy might stabilize faster than someone with chronic health issues or a sedentary lifestyle.

• Posture and Daily Activities: Jobs or activities that strain the neck or spine can impact how often adjustments are needed.

Always Consult with Your Chiropractor

It's essential to note that the above guidelines are general. Individual needs can vary widely, and your chiropractor will create a tailored treatment plan for you. Regular consultations will help adjust this plan as required.

Visiting an upper cervical chiropractor offers potential benefits, but the key is consistent and tailored care. As with many health regimens, it's a journey. Regular check-ups, even when you feel fine, can help in early detection of misalignments, ensuring proactive care and long-term wellness.

We Are Here To Help

Dr. Gordon Elder, of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas, is a renowned expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. This method emphasizes the use of advanced 3D diagnostic imaging, ensuring an unparalleled examination of the spine for precise assessment.

Upon identifying spinal issues, specialists like Dr. Elder employ the Blair technique's hallmark approach: precise, gentle, and low-pressure adjustments. This contrasts with some traditional chiropractic methods, offering an experience where patients often feel no discomfort during adjustments.

Dr. Elder's treatment is outlined in a systematic three-step plan, catering to a myriad of health conditions. The journey commences with a comprehensive health evaluation. The subsequent stage revolves around the therapeutic process, anchored by adjustments aiming to realign the body's intrinsic structure. The final step emphasizes prevention, advocating for routine chiropractic evaluations to stave off future complications.

Upper cervical care stands as a non-intrusive, medication-free remedy, demonstrating efficacy across a diverse array of symptoms and ailments. If you're contemplating this therapeutic avenue, don't hesitate to reach out to Dr. Elder for inquiries. His practice caters to residents in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as those in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

At What Point Should You See A Chiropractor?

Many people think a chiropractor is a doctor you go to after a car accident or serious back injury at work. And while it is true, these are good times to call for an appointment, there are also many other times you may benefit from chiropractic care. 

It may surprise you to know that chiropractors can help with a wide range of health conditions, diseases, and symptoms for people of all ages. The health of the spine is vitally connected to the function of all of the body's systems. 

Here are just some of the problems a chiropractor may be able to help with:

After Accidents and Injuries

Any accidents or injuries—even seemingly small ones—can cause misalignments of the spine. This is particularly true of the upper cervical area (the neck), the most vulnerable part of the spine. You may not realize you have a misalignment and can go for years before nagging little aches and pains become debilitating problems. 

For Allergies, Sinus Issues, and Earaches

The upper cervical spine begins at the base of the skull, close to clusters of nerves and tubes that go throughout the head and face. A misalignment that causes inflammation and swelling may compress these passages, leading to blockages and the build-up of fluids.

When You Suffer from Headaches or Headache Disorders

Ordinary headaches can be a result of stress and tension in the neck, back, and face. This is often due to misalignments of the spine. Even worse, headache disorders, such as migraines or cluster headaches, are often due to nerves being pinched or compressed. 

When You Are Sedentary

There are many reasons why people don't get enough exercise—having to work at a desk, mobility issues, or health problems, to name a few. Either way, sitting for long periods puts three times more pressure on your spine than standing or walking. When we sit and use electronic devices, we tend to look down, extend the neck, and hunch the shoulders, which can result in maladaptive postures, disc degeneration, digestive issues, breathing issues, or nerve problems. A chiropractor can help restore proper posture and alignment and alleviate some of the stress caused by sitting. 

As a Preventative Measure

When it comes to your health, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Chiropractors can be part of your regular healthcare routine, along with medical check-ups, dentists, and gynecologists. Since the spine plays such a major role in the body’s overall health and wellness, adding chiropractic care to your healthcare routine can save you a lot of pain and trouble in the long run. 

Call Us For An Appointment

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an upper cervical specialist who is a trained practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Blair practitioners embrace advanced technology such as 3D diagnostic imaging tools to get a better understanding of their patient's spines. They also specialized in hands-on manipulations that are gentler and longer-lasting than the jarring snaps and twists associated with traditional chiropractic care. 

Dr. Elder treats patients using three simple steps. The first step involves a thorough assessment with advanced diagnostic tools so he can pinpoint problems. The second involves low-pressure adjustments to restore proper alignment of the spine and facilitate healing. The third is by continuing preventative care to avoid future problems by nipping any issues in the bud. 

Contact Dr. Elder to see how upper cervical care can help you. You might be surprised at how much of your health is connected to this vital area. Dr. Elder's area of coverage includes Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Seeing A Chiropractor When You Feel Good Is A Great Idea

A lot of people call the chiropractor for an appointment after an accident or injury, or when that old nagging back and neck pain has started flaring up again. Of course, this is a good time to make that appointment, but it's not the best time. 

What is the best time to make an appointment with your chiropractor? Actually, the best time to see a chiropractor is when you feel great. Here's why.

Preventative Chiropractic Care

Few people realize the importance of the musculoskeletal system in one's overall health. Any misalignment of the spine sets off a cascade of problems through the rest of the musculoskeletal system. Your body shifts to adjust for the misalignment and it causes undue stress on other muscles, joints, and ligaments. 

In addition to aches and pains, the spine is also responsible for protecting the spinal cord. The spinal cord and the brain work together to send signals throughout the body and regulate all of our essential systems. When the spine is misaligned, it may pinch or compress nerves and disrupt the signals. In time, this can cause a wide variety of health problems.

Benefits of Proactive Chiropractic Care

Boost your immune system—one of those important systems that rely on nerve signals is the immune system. If misfiring nerves cause your immune system to malfunction, it can make it more difficult for your body to fight against disease and various health conditions. Keeping your spine healthy helps keep the immune system functioning at optimal levels so it is at its best when fighting off infections, colds, and flu. 

Avoid aches and pains— when you spend too many hours hunched over a desk, bending to clean, picking up heavy objects, or sleeping on a lumpy mattress, you'll eventually have some pain. Why wait for it, though? Going to a chiropractor for regular wellness check-ups can help keep your musculoskeletal system in proper alignment so that you avoid those aches and pains altogether. 

Better Night's Sleep—pain in the daytime when you're trying to go about your work and chores is bad enough; pain at night causes problems. Sleep deprivation can lead to some serious health problems. Chiropractic care helps prevent the problems that may get in the way of you getting sound rest throughout the night. A good night's sleep helps you feel better, improves your mood, and gives you more energy. 

Saves money—preventative care helps you stay in good health, which means fewer trips to the doctor, physical therapist, or other specialists. It means you won't need as many prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or medical assistive devices such as heating pads, ice packs, braces, bandages, etc. This also means fewer medical bills, co-payments, and expenses. You can also avoid taking off more time from work than necessary.

Let Us Help Keep You Healthy

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Blair practitioners use cutting-edge technology to examine your anatomy for better, longer-lasting adjustments.

Dr. Elder follows a three-step plan for patients. The first step involves a thorough health assessment involving a consultation and 3D diagnostic imaging tools. 

The second step involves gentle corrections to help restore the spine's proper alignment. Thanks to the advanced technology during the assessment, the doctor can apply precise corrections using a light touch. 

The third step involves adding chiropractic care to your regular health and wellness routine to ensure corrections remain intact and to nip further problems in the bud. 

If you want to give preventative chiropractic care a try so that you can avoid common health problems, contact Dr. Elder. His areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

How Athletes Benefit from Chiropractic Care

Athletes push their bodies to the limits of human strength and endurance. While the ideal is to strive for excellent health, unfortunately, injuries do happen. 

Most athletes can't afford to let injuries slow them down, so they may rely on prescription drugs to help them through. The problem is, prescription drugs only mask the pain; they don't do anything to heal it. Persevering with an injury puts you at risk of a more serious injury. Prescription medications also have side effects and can be addictive. 

Surgery may help with some injuries, but is invasive and carries risks. Healing time can keep you out of commission far longer than you'd like, so naturally, it is a last resort.

There is another option that is safe, drug-free, and non-invasive that athletes might want to consider: chiropractic care. 

Safe Treatments

Many common injuries that occur in sports can be treated with chiropractic care. General strains, sprains, knee injuries, or conditions like tendonitis can be treated by chiropractors. Doing so helps athletes recover quickly and stay in top shape. 

Improved Performance

Any misalignments of the spine have a domino effect on the rest of the body. A chiropractor can keep your spine properly aligned, nipping problems in the bud as they come along. This helps keep inflammation down and ensures the joints and muscles are functioning optimally for peak performance. 

Preventing Injuries

When vertebrae slip out of place, the body attempts to compensate by unconsciously shifting. This ends up causing problems to cascade down the rest of the musculoskeletal system, causing inflammation and putting unnecessary stress on subsequent joints and surrounding tissue. Any misalignment of the vertebrae can put you at risk for injuries. Chiropractic care helps correct those postural imbalances for improved strength and range of motion.

Reduces Recovery Times

When the spine is correctly aligned, the body's natural healing mechanisms shift into gear and perform better. There is reduced tension and improved flexibility. As nerve signals flow unimpeded and the blood pumps properly, the body finds it easier to repair damage and heal from injuries. 

How We Help Athletes With Chiropractic Care

Our services offer athletes a non-invasive, drug-free, natural way to help them keep in shape, reduce pain, avoid injuries, and heal. Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is here to help using the most modern techniques and technology in chiropractic care.

Dr. Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a technique that utilizes the best of modern technology and expert hands-on treatments. Unlike traditional chiropractic methods, with jarring twists and jerks, the Blair technique applies more calculated, low-force pressure for superior adjustments that hold longer.

Dr. Elder has a three-step process that begins with an in-depth health screening and advanced 3D diagnostic imaging. Once the doctor identifies any problems and examines your unique anatomy, he will go over treatment options and recommendations with you. Then it is on to step two, which involves gentle manipulations in precise places to make corrections. 

The third step of Dr. Elder's process involves ongoing and preventative care through regular chiropractic check-ups. 

If you are an athlete, your body is a well-oiled machine; fine-tuning will only help to keep it running smoothly, and Dr. Elder can help with that. Contact Dr. Elder for an appointment. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Is There A Difference Between Physical Therapy and Chiropractic Care?

Living with pain after an illness or an injury can be difficult. At best, it can be a nagging problem that frustrates you when you try to go about your daily routine. At worst, pain can be debilitating, interfere with your ability to work or carry on with your responsibilities, and make you miserable. 

Most people don't have to live with chronic pain, or can at least find some relief and reduction of symptoms by seeking treatment with a chiropractor or a physical therapist. Which would be best for you? That depends—here are some things to consider. 

Physical Therapy

Physical therapists help to rehabilitate people after they suffer from an injury or illness that causes pain and/or debilitation. In some cases, if you have a degenerative disorder or other diseases, physical therapy may be recommended as an intervention for pain or to slow down the condition. 

After an initial assessment of the problem, the physical therapist will design a treatment plan that may include strength training, mobility training, stretching, massage, or joint mobilization. 

Physical therapy is usually a short-term treatment plan lasting from a few weeks to a few months. Periodically during this treatment period, the therapist will reassess your progress and report to your doctor. 

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractors also treat patients who have suffered from an illness or injury, and they may treat patients with chronic disorders. They also treat healthy people as a part of a comprehensive preventative care effort. 

Chiropractors examine the spine for misalignments in the vertebrae, which can lead to a variety of problems. Misalignments of the spine can affect the musculoskeletal system, causing pain and inflammation. Misalignments can also affect the nervous system,  impeding the flow of nerve signals between the brain and the body. This can interrupt a wide range of bodily functions.

After an initial assessment, chiropractors make adjustments or apply a variety of methods to help correct the spine to relieve pain, decrease inflammation, and allow the Central Nervous System (CNS) to function optimally. 

Which Is Right for You?

There is some overlap between physical therapists and chiropractors. Both offer natural, non-invasive, drug-free treatment options for various conditions and pains. 

If you have an injury or illness that impairs your mobility, you may wish to consult a physical therapist. 

If you have general pain related to the musculoskeletal system or conditions related to the nervous system, a chiropractor might be best for you. Likewise, if preventative healthcare is your aim, chiropractors are your best alternative.

Of course, you don't have to choose—many people work through injuries and illnesses with both physical therapy and chiropractic care. 

How Our Chiropractic Treatment Works

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas uses the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique to treat patients. The Blair technique is a specialty utilizing advanced 3D diagnostic imaging tools to apply more precise corrections with low-pressure methods. 

Dr. Elder generally treats patients using a three-step model. The first step involves a thorough health screening, which includes 3D imaging scans so that the doctor can get a sense of your unique anatomy and pinpoint any problem areas. The second step involves corrections. State-of-the-art technology allows for a more exact application of adjustments, allowing the doctor to do so with a gentler touch. 

The third and final step involves ongoing preventative care. Dr. Elder recommends regular chiropractic check-ups to patients so that problems can be nipped in the bud. 

If you're interested in what chiropractic care can do for you, contact Dr. Elder for an appointment. The doctor's areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

How Can I Make My Chiropractic Adjustment Last?

The amount of time a chiropractic adjustment will hold varies from person to person. It may hold for hours, days, weeks, or even months. Much will depend on you, and the things you do after an adjustment. Here are some tips to ensure the corrections your chiropractor made will hold as long as possible. 

Watch Your Posture

Poor posture can wreak havoc on your spine, particularly the upper cervical spine which runs through the neck. 

When People sit for long periods working at a desk or using hand-held devices, they tend to extend their necks forward and look down. This position increases the weight of the head and puts a massive strain on the vertebrae. 

Be mindful of your posture when working or using devices for fun. Keep your head up straight and shoulders back, and take periodic breaks to avoid damaging your spine.

Get Some Ergonomic Furniture

Ergonomic furniture can help you work on that posture, supporting your lower back and keeping your spine properly aligned when you're working. This type of furniture reduces the risk of musculoskeletal problems. People who use ergonomic furniture tend to have fewer aches and pains from poor posture.

If you can get only one new piece of furniture, make it an ergonomic chair. In time you may want to invest in a sit-stand desk, or an ergonomic keyboard. 

Get Your Exercise

After an adjustment, you won't want to do any heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a while. However, you shouldn't ignore exercise altogether. Light stretching, walking, swimming, biking, or any low-impact exercise will help keep muscles loose and improve your flexibility. If you're not sure what you can do, you can always ask your chiropractor to recommend exercises.   

Don't Miss Follow-Up Appointments

When you first get adjustments, you'll want to keep up with your follow-up appointments. That way, your chiropractor can check and ensure the adjustments are holding. If any additional corrections are needed, your doctor can nip it in the bud. 

Use An Upper Cervical Specialist Trained in the Blair Chiropractic Technique

The Blair Chiropractic Technique is a safe, non-invasive technique. Corrections with a Blair-trained chiropractor generally hold longer and require fewer visits. 

Doctors trained in the Blair technique use state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging to get a detailed glimpse of your unique anatomy so they can calculate and make more precise adjustments. 

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is a practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Dr. Elder has a three-step process for his patients. The first step is a thorough screening that includes 3D imaging scans.

Once the doctor formulates a treatment plan with you, the second step involves making adjustments to your spine. Because he uses advanced diagnostic tools, Dr. Elder can make gentle corrections with low-pressure techniques instead of the jarring twists and jerks that traditional chiropractors use. 

At this point, your body's natural healing processes kick in and begin to repair the damage. Follow-up visits allow Dr. Elder to ensure the corrections are held and to make any further necessary adjustments. 

The third and final step is the prevention of further problems. Dr. Elder recommends regular upper cervical check-ups to keep your spine strong and healthy.  

Call Dr. Elder for a consultation to see if he can help you with your upper cervical problems. His areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

What Are The Benefits of Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

Neck and upper back pain are common complaints that most people will have at least once in a while. Some may get pain from physical labor, others may get it from sitting at a desk looking down at a computer all day. For some people, the pain may be recurring, or constant. In some cases, it can be downright debilitating.

Pain in the upper back and neck is usually caused by problems in the upper cervical spine. This part of the spine comprises the top seven vertebrae which run from the base of the skull through to the upper back. The upper cervical spine is responsible for carrying the weight of the head, movement of the head and neck, and protecting the spinal cord. It is a vulnerable area that can be affected by an impact, degenerative diseases, poor posture, or normal aging. 

The good news is, upper back and neck pain are often treatable. Some doctors may recommend pain medication, physical therapy, or surgery. Some patients find great relief in seeing an upper cervical chiropractic specialist. 

What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care?

Misalignments of the spine can cause a wide range of health issues, including chronic pain. Even a minute misalignment of the vertebrae can cause inflammation, swelling, or pinched nerves. When pressure is put on the nerves, it can disrupt the flow of nerve signals between the brain and the body's major systems. Misalignments in the upper cervical spine also put a strain on joints, muscles, and ligaments throughout the rest of the body.

Chiropractors are specialists who examine the spine for misalignments and make adjustments. These adjustments are usually made with manual manipulation and can bring quick, drug-free, non-invasive relief to many patients.

How We Treat Upper Cervical Pain

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas is an expert in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The Blair technique is a specialty that focuses on upper cervical health by using advanced diagnostic tools and gentle corrections. 

Dr. Elder's treatment begins with screening. Using advanced 3D diagnostic imaging tools, the doctor will be able to take measurements and calculate misalignments. This thorough screening takes the guesswork out of chiropractic treatments so that adjustments are precise and more effective. 

After the screening, Dr. Elder will make corrections using safe, gentle manipulations. You won't have to endure any shocking twists and jolts; the Blair technique involves a quick, light touch. 

Once the spine has been adjusted, there will be some relief, but the healing has only just begun. With the spine in proper alignment, the body's natural healing processes can resume and restore your health and vitality. After a series of follow-up appointments to ensure the alignment remains in place, Dr. Elder recommends preventative care with regular chiropractic checkups. 

If you are experiencing pain in your neck or upper back, contact Dr. Elder's office for a consultation. We service patients in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Children's Conditions & How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Can Help

Upper Cervical Chiropractic has been proven to help children with colic, chronic ear infections, and more.

If I could just take care of children all the time, I would. No offense to you adults, but children are really fun to take care of.  The thing is, children usually don’t need chiropractic care. However, they should be checked because if they do need it, we want to make the corrections while they’re young so they don’t grow crooked. 

If children don't need upper cervical care, that’s great and that’s the best thing possible. When they’re born, children’s bones are still soft and not totally solidified so they can take a lot of tumbles without sustaining any major damage. There are obviously limits to this. For example, sometimes if a child has some type of in-utero constraint before they’re born, that can cause a neck injury. If a child is born by C-Section, it often becomes a neck injury. A difficult or prolonged vaginal birth also can cause a neck injury. Since the body is meant to take a lot of these stresses, most children are fine when they are born. 

One of the things that give us a clue that a child may have a problem early in life or infancy, is colic. Colic is one of the big things, also when the head twists and they can’t seem to straighten out, often seems to be related. Another sign can be when a baby isn’t nursing well on one side. What we've found is that usually, those children have a neck issue that, once corrected, the neck muscles relax, the muscles in the digestive system relax, and everything starts doing their jobs properly. 

Another symptom that’s usually seen in children as they get a little older is chronic ear infection. However, it’s important to make the distinction between ear infections every once in a while or getting sick every once in a while, versus a chronic condition. Getting sick on occasion is a baby’s natural immunity being built, and it’s important to their overall health as they get older. If a child doesn’t get sick occasionally or if they live in a hermetically sealed environment, they are probably going to grow up and have lots of other issues. But, occasional ear infection or getting sick is perfectly normal.  We just want to ride those out, and give them proper nutrition. Try not to have to give them any drugs that will inhibit them from developing an immune response. 

HERE’S THE DIFFERENCE: If your child develops a chronic ear infection, perhaps their pediatrician is saying they need to use tubes in the ears – In my experience, this is most often a neck problem. Every child that I’ve had come into my office with these issues have seen their symptoms clear up. When we find a neck problem, we corrected the neck problem. The immune system corrects itself, and the body starts functioning properly. In children, the eustachian tubes (the connection between the tongue and the back of the throat) that should remain clear, are fairly straight. Therefore they don’t drain properly and can get ear infections. But, if they get chronic ear infections, a lot of times the muscles around them tighten and so it blocks things. If the neck is out of alignment, the adjustment we make allows those eustachian tubes to open back up again and properly drain. 

Another issue I’ve seen commonly in children a little bit older than the toddler is the bed-wetting. Often that’s just because you know that those children should be able to sleep through the night without wetting their bed. There can be many issues that can cause bedwetting, but one of them does seem to be a neurological issue caused by a problem in the neck. I’ve had some patients come in as children, I’ve adjusted them, and its cleared up, I’ve had some where it hasn’t, it was some other issue but they did have some neck problem and it may have been part of the whole equation. 

If your child is experiencing colic, chronic ear infections, or any of the other symptoms and conditions listed above, we would love to see how we can help. Upper Cervical Chiropractic care has shown tremendous success in helping to eliminate these issues in children.  At Blair Chiropractic Clinic, we want to fix the problem you’re having.  Our motto is “Find it, fix it, then leave it alone”.  Visit www.blairclinic.com or call (806) 747-2735 today to speak with a member of our staff about scheduling a screening.  

https://www.blairchiropractic.com/

https://www.uppercervicalcare.com/healthconditions

Sciatica & Upper Cervical Chiropractic

In this video Dr. Elder talks about what sciatic pain is and isn’t. He then discusses different treatment options and why it makes sense to try less invasive methods first.

A lot of people who get pain in the leg are told, or think that it is sciatica. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs down the back of the leg. When it comes out from the spine, it comes from from several different parts and they merge and come apart and merge again. Then there are nerves about the size of the thumb that are running down through your buttocks down the side of the leg like a line. If you have a pain that is broad (about the size of your hand) running down the back of your leg, that is not sciatica; it can be a pinched nerve of some kind, but not sciatica. 

If it is like a line of fire going down your leg and it is really bad, and goes down the back of your leg and the bottom of your leg, down to the heel and then shoot out the toe, that is what sciatica feels like (or so I’ve been told). 

That nerve can be pinched in a couple of different places. It can be pinched because of a muscle that is too tight in the buttocks, it can be where the nerves come out from the spine because the spinal pieces are not lined up properly or somehow smashing and swelling and causing problems on the roots of the nerves themselves. 

What I’ve noticed is probably about fifty-percent of my practice is made up of people with low back pain and a high percentage of those have sciatica.

When I adjust their neck, the sciatica goes away.

Now, there have been a few where it has not gone away, but we send them to another chiropractor or therapist to help get the last percentage away. It will go down a little bit with me, their moving better, their other symptoms go away, but the problem is so progressed that they need more than just closing the barn door so to speak. So we send them to someone else, they get the rest of it, and it gets fixed. 

In some cases, people do need low back surgery, but please do not rush to that. There is a diagnosis code on the books for failed low-back surgery syndrome because it happens so often. So that should not be the first choice. First choice, look at your posture, look at your nervous system, and get those fixed.  If you get to the point where you have to go around in a wheelchair, then you might think about surgery.

What is a screening and why is it important?[Video]

The screening is important because we don’t often know if we have injured the spine or how bad it is.

So we want to check those see even if the symptoms aren’t very bad or if you have no symptoms whatsoever that you find out in 30 years that now you have a heart problem because a nerve that is coming from your spine that’s going to your heart isn’t working like it should.

In the screening, there are several components.

The first is just you and me talking about what the issues are and what brought you to my office.

The second is the testing phase, where we determine whether it is something I can help you with or not. And that is divided up into a neurological component and a measurement component. The neurological component has two tests.

The first one is measuring the temperature of your skin on either side of the spine just in the neck region. This gives me some information about the nervous system and how it is functioning.

The second is having you lay on your stomach or on your back and looking at the length of your legs which may sound kind of strange. Leg length changes the tension of the muscles all the way down the spine, causes the pelvis to twist a little bit. If the pelvis twists a little bit, then the hips are not going to be level, and if the hips are not level, then one leg is going to look and act like it is shorter than the other. That can cause other problems.

And then we run some tests from there to determine what is causing that short leg. Is it a neurological problem in the spine, and if so, where in the spine is it? After we do those two tests, then we do a posture measurement. There can be about three different factors that can determine how you are standing and what’s correct for you.

Then we’ll sit down and talk about the findings. And we’ll say “you’re doing fine,” especially if ti’s just a checkup and you don’t have any symptoms. But if I do find something, at that point, we’ll go over what the process is. What’s the next step? What do we need to do to fix it? How long is this going to take? How much will it cost as far as we can tell at this time?

I recommend that screenings start at birth and then proceeds throughout life

It doesn’t mean you have to see the chiropractor a lot. We want to make sure that especially as the child grows, they are growing straight. And even as adults as we get involved in sports and we get into car accidents that it doesn’t cause permanent damage that you may not really realize until 20 or 30 years after the fact.

Numbness or Tingling and Upper Cervical Chiropractic [Video]

Dr Gordon D. Elder of The Blair Chiropractic Clinic, Lubbock Texas explains how Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help numbing or tingling.

Now skin tingling usually comes from some kind of a compressed nerve. A common term might be a pinched nerve.  That would be one symptom that can be either because of a bone that’s slightly misaligned with another and putting pressure onto a nerve or into the area where the nerve passes through. It can be tight muscles that a nerve is passing by that are both compressing down on that nerve.

Usually it’s a musculoskeletal problem which often is one of the easiest things to take care of sometimes. It needs more than what I can do but in many cases if we can figure out which bones are putting pressure on the brain stem and how the body is reacting or compensating to that and get rid of that. If we get rid of that compensation the numbness and tingling usually goes away fairly quickly.  That’s one of the symptoms we see often disappear the fastest.

Posted in Chiropractic Clinic and tagged Blair Chiropractic Clinic, chiropractic adjustment, Lubbock, numbness, South Plains, Texas, tingling, video

My big pain in the neck

Warning: This is long, and yet this is my story extremely abbreviated.

If you have pain anywhere in your body and you don’t know what to do, you may relate, and it may be worth reading until the very end.

When I was 6 years old, I remember crying because the bottom of my back hurt so bad I had to stop what I was doing. Today I am 46. I can still remember the sharp pains where my hips attached to the spine radiating out from the middle.

In elementary school,

I almost always missed most of December and all the fun Christmas preparations and parties. Why? Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Sinus infections, high fevers, you name it. When other people got a cold, I would come down with severe, stubborn infections. I remember spending days and nights in my parents’ bed. My mom didn’t want me to be left unattended due to the high fevers.

In 4th grade, we had music right after lunch. Every week half way through class my head would start to pound so horrendously that I could not hold the tears back. I would be sent home.

February 5th grade: The left side of my upper back (all around my shoulder blade) locked up and swelled up. It felt like a knife stabbing me at every breath. Any movement was unbearable. Three weeks of school was lost while I mostly laid flat on my back between doctor’s appointments. My most vivid memory from this period wasgetting a shot directly into the center of the worst muscle spasm. The tears flew uncontrollably out of my eyes. This was done with the intention of pain relief, but the traumatic experience changed nothing. It seemed like this episode connected my headaches to my lower back pain. Everything between my face, forehead, across the top of my head, the back of my head, neck, shoulder blades and into my lower spine never stopped from that day.

People say they get headaches or backpain.

Not me. I had a headache. An 18-year headache.

It would vary in intensity but never go away. The best it ever got was always annoying and exhausting. At worst I could not get out of bed or sit or be in the light. I could not finish speaking sentences because of the intense pain. During this time and onward I would have recurring nightmares at night that there was a tumor inside my upper spine that was killing me. During the day I just felt like there was pressure on the nerves in my upper neck. Whenever I would express this to doctors they would just say “that can’t happen.”

I could continue sharing these vivid memories and all the details. For weeks my neck locked up so I could not turn my head at all. You could not see where my neck stopped and shoulders started because it was so inflamed. For a couple of years I could not hold a pen or sign my name with my dominant hand due to severe tennis elbow. (If only I could have played tennis.) I could describe in detail the discouragement during the six months I could not taste any of my food.  It was a sinus infection that the doctors and antibiotics were not able to tame. Or all the terrible memories of 10 months straight with severe hives. Swollen itchy bumps covered my body from the bottoms of my feet to the inside of my mouth and even my eyelids. On several occasions, I had to go to the emergency room. I carried medication in my purse in case the swelling would be in a place that would keep me from breathing.

Do I need to say I was desperate? Depressed?

My parents, myself and later my husband all were trying everything.

I have been through tests, specialists and treatment methods both traditional and alternative. I even went to a Chiropractor and decided never to do that again as I had never been worse than right after my chiropractic manipulation.

After all those years of trying everything, it would be easy to give up.
I am glad I didn’t give up.

At age 22 I moved with my husband from Norway to California. My husband had been seeing Dr. Muncy, a Blair upper cervical chiropractor since he was 10 years old. He wanted me to see him and thought he could probably help me.
He knew about my terrible previous experience with a Chiropractor, but I trusted him. Besides I had heard how much help my mother- in- law had been helped with her severe headaches. After trying everything for so long the decision to go to another expert was tricky. I desperately wanted help. I also didn’t want to waste my money, time and get my hopes up once again for something that didn’t help.

Here’s what happened when I went in for my upper cervical appointment:

The Dr. wanted to run some tests before I told him what was going on because he wanted to keep it objective. The tests didn’t hurt. After 5 minutes he gently touched the place in my upper neck that I was having nightmares about. He said: “You have a bone out of alignment right here and it is putting pressure on the nerves that lead to the rest of the body”

Finally a Doctor who saw the origin of the pain problem.

He took some X-Rays and made a precision adjustment based on what he saw. Then he adjusted 3 bones in my neck and explained how extremely rare it would be to have 3 misalignments. I was told I must have had a trauma to my neck when I was little. This is consistent with what I know. It also explains why my health problems started when I was just a little girl. The adjustments didn’t hurt at all, unlike my previous experience. Inside me, I felt like something relaxed a little. I slept through the whole night for the first time in my life.

A healing process had begun.

My symptoms didn’t go away overnight, but clearly, I was getting gradually better instead of gradually worse.

I was actually improving, not just managing my pain. A few years after this first adjustment I had an A-Ha moment in the car driving home from the gym and grocery store: “I have no pain! My muscles don’t ache. MY HEAD DOESN’T HURT.” This day was the end of my 18year headache. I wish I could say I have never had them since. Unfortunately, I still get headaches when my neck slips back out of alignment, but they go away or get a lot better when I get put back in alignment.

Moving Forward:

It turned out that the injuries in my neck were substantial enough and had been going on long enough that I have some permanent damage.  I will require lifetime maintenance Chiropractic care. The good news about this is that because of this husband, Gordon decided to devote his life to taking care of me and others like me. He continues after almost 20 years as an Upper Cervical Chiropractor to study hard so he can always improve and help even the most stubborn health problems. It is our purpose in life to help as many people as possible have as much healing as possible, first in California and now in Lubbock, TX. We moved to Lubbock because this is where Dr. Blair made the discoveries that led to my health. This is where we feel we can make the most impact to do the same. I feel deeply on my own body the difference between pain and desperation that chokes off all hope versus life flowing healing powers that live in my own body.

If you have been reading all this, there is a good chance you have questions. Maybe questions about me or possibly you have questions about the Blair Upper Cervical technique that got me started on the way to health. Do you have questions about your own situation? It will make me happy to discuss this with you. Feel free to call me or E-mail from anywhere, or make an appointment if you live in Lubbock. If you do not live in Lubbock, I will be happy to help you find the closes upper cervical doctor to where you live. I was able to find help and you can too!

Posted in Chiropractic Clinic, Conditions, Kids, Upper Cervical Doctor and tagged Blair Chiropractic Clinic, blair upper cervical, bronchitis, children, depressed, exhausted, headaches, healing process, hip pain, hives, inflammation, low back pain, Lubbock, misalignment, neck pain, nerve pressure, out of alignment, pneumonia, shoulder pain, sinus infections, tendinitis, tennis elbow

Meet Dr. Elder

Dr. Gordon Elder has been in practice as a Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractor since 2000.

"Dr. Elder has been my chiropractor for 5 years now. I can't imagine what I would be like without upper cervical chiropractics. I've had a lot of back issues throughout my adult life. This type of chiropractics has healed all of them from herniated discs to a weird rash, even my son's scoliosis. Thank you Dr. Elder for all you've done for me and my family!!! You keep us "balanced"

EDUCATION

Dr. Elder graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cleveland Chiropractic College's Los Angeles Campus in December of 1999.  In addition to his Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) degree, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Human Biology, is a Fellow of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association, and is an Advanced Instructor for the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society.

EXPERIENCE

Dr. Elder was trained by R. Weldon Muncy, D.C., Dr. Blair's designated teaching successor and spent his first year of practice in Dr. Muncy's clinic in Lancaster, California. After over 17 years of practice in Lancaster, Dr. Elder was tapped by E.A. Addington, D.C., Dr. Blair's designated clinical successor to take over the directorship of the original Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas.

Dr. Elder has also served in various ways in the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society, most notably in the design and organization of the testing system used to certify proficiency and instructors in the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique.

Common Posture Problems and Upper Cervical Chiropractic [Video]

In this video, Dr Gordon D. Elder of The Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock Texas explains how Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help common posture problems.

Common postural problems of people who have neck problems will have can be many and varied. This is because when your body is trying to protect the nerves that are going through your neck and it changes your posture there’s going to be different stress points so the most common ones are neck pain, causing headaches. The middle of the back between the shoulder blades can have issues because that curve in your back can sometimes increase or decrease and put extra stress in there. It can curve from left or right which is what we call a scoliosis.

One of the biggest ones is the low back because you’re standing on level ground and gravity is pulling you down and you’ve got this foundation that’s your pelvis. Then if your body is twisted on top of your pelvis that’s going to be a really big stress point right in the low back. For most people who have low back pain, the problem starts in the neck. If you treat the low back that can help and sometimes is necessary but if you don’t treat the neck, often you have to keep treating the low back over and over and over again just to feel good unless you can get that neck corrected too.

Posted in Chiropractic and tagged back, Blair Chiropractic Clinic, chiropractic adjustment, Chiropractor, Lubbock Chiropractor, neck, Upper Cervical Chiropractic