Upper cervical misalignments can lead to various neurological symptoms and conditions. Our chiropractic center shares real-life experiences and insights from our patients.
At Krieg Chiropractic Center, we’ve seen firsthand how misalignments in the upper cervical spine can have far-reaching neurological consequences. In this article, we’ll share some of the stories we’ve heard from our patients and the insights we’ve gained from their experiences.
Neurological consequences of upper cervical misalignments refer to the various symptoms and conditions that can arise when the bones in the upper cervical spine (C0-C2) are not properly aligned. These misalignments can put pressure on the nerves and disrupt the normal functioning of the nervous system. In this article, we’ll explore some of the real-life stories of our patients and the ways in which upper cervical misalignments have affected their lives.

One of the most common complaints we hear from patients is headaches and craniofacial pain. These symptoms can be debilitating, making it difficult for people to go about their daily lives. For many of our patients, these symptoms were a mystery until they came to us for chiropractic care.
“I had been dealing with headaches for years,” says Sarah, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic Center. “I had seen countless doctors and tried every medication under the sun, but nothing seemed to help. It wasn’t until I came to Krieg Chiropractic that I finally found relief.”
Another condition we see frequently is cervically mediated autonomic symptoms, also known as Barré-Liéou syndrome. This condition can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness, vertigo, heart palpitations, and digestive issues. For many of our patients, these symptoms were a source of great frustration and confusion.
“I couldn’t understand why I was experiencing these strange symptoms,” says Mark, another patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “I had seen numerous doctors, but none of them could figure out what was causing my dizziness and heart palpitations. It wasn’t until I came to Krieg Chiropractic that I finally got some answers.”

Vertigo and dizziness are common symptoms of upper cervical misalignments. These conditions can make it difficult for people to move around or even stand up straight. For some of our patients, these symptoms were so debilitating that they were unable to work or even leave their homes.
“I was bedridden for months because of my vertigo and dizziness,” says Lisa, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “I couldn’t even get out of bed without feeling like the world was spinning around me. But after just a few sessions of chiropractic care, I started to feel better.”
The superior cervical sympathetic ganglion plays a crucial role in regulating the body’s autonomic nervous system. When the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it can put pressure on this ganglion, leading to various neurological symptoms.
“I had no idea that the position of my neck could affect my body in such a profound way,” says Tom, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “But after learning about the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion and how it relates to upper cervical misalignments, everything started to make sense.”

Upper cervical misalignments can also lead to chronic neck pain and blurred or double vision. These symptoms can be especially frustrating for people who rely on their vision for their work or other daily activities.
“I’ve had chronic neck pain for years,” says Jane, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “I’ve tried everything from pain medication to physical therapy, but nothing seemed to help. It wasn’t until I came to Krieg Chiropractic that I finally found relief.”
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is a condition in which the body’s mast cells become overactive, leading to a range of symptoms including headaches, fatigue, and digestive issues. For some of our patients, upper cervical misalignments have been a trigger for their MCAS symptoms.
“I had no idea that my neck misalignment was contributing to my mast cell activation syndrome,” says Emily, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “But after just a few sessions of chiropractic care, my symptoms started to improve.”
Whiplash associated disorders (WAD) are a common consequence of car accidents and other traumatic events. These disorders can cause a range of symptoms, including neck pain, headaches, and dizziness. For many of our patients, upper cervical misalignments have been a contributing factor to their WAD symptoms.
“I was in a car accident a few years ago, and I thought I was fine,” says Dan, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “But over time, I started to experience neck pain, headaches, and dizziness. It wasn’t until I came to Krieg Chiropractic that I realized my upper cervical misalignment was the root cause of my symptoms.”
Upper cervical misalignments can also lead to tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and dystonic storms (involuntary muscle contractions). These conditions can be debilitating, making it difficult for people to focus on their work or even carry out daily activities.
“I’ve had tinnitus for years, and it was driving me crazy,” says Pat, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “But after just a few sessions of chiropractic care, the ringing in my ears started to fade away.”
Upper cervical misalignments can also contribute to emotional stress and anxiety. For some of our patients, these symptoms were a surprise, as they had never associated their emotional state with the position of their neck.
“I had no idea that my neck misalignment was contributing to my anxiety,” says Sam, a patient at Krieg Chiropractic. “But after just a few sessions of chiropractic care, I started to feel more calm and centered.”
At Krieg Chiropractic, we believe in using the latest technology to help diagnose and treat upper cervical misalignments. We use digital motion X-rays and other imaging studies to help us identify any misalignments and develop a customized treatment plan for each patient.
Digital motion X-rays are a type of imaging study that allows us to see the movement of the spine in real-time. This technology has helped us reveal a number of missed diagnoses and develop more effective treatment plans for our patients.
In some cases, upper cervical misalignments can be caused by trauma or injury to the neck. In these cases, we may recommend shots in the neck to help realign the bones and reduce inflammation.
The curvatures of the neck can also contribute to upper cervical misalignments. We use imaging studies to help us identify any curvatures and develop a customized treatment plan to help correct them.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Headaches and craniofacial pain | Pain in the head or face |
| Cervically mediated autonomic symptoms | Dizziness, vertigo, heart palpitations, digestive issues |
| Vertigo and dizziness | Feeling like the world is spinning |
| Chronic neck pain | Pain in the neck |
| Blurred or double vision | Difficulty seeing clearly |
| Mast cell activation syndrome | Allergic-like reactions |
| Whiplash associated disorders | Pain and other symptoms after a car accident |
| Tinnitus | Ringing in the ears |
| Dystonic storms | Involuntary muscle contractions |
| Emotional stress | Anxiety and other emotional symptoms |

| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Trauma or injury | Car accidents, falls, sports injuries |
| Poor posture | Sitting or standing for long periods |
| Muscle tension | Stress, anxiety, or other emotional factors |
| Degenerative conditions | Arthritis, osteoporosis, or other age-related conditions |
| Birth trauma | Difficult births or other complications |
At Krieg Chiropractic Center, we’ve seen firsthand how upper cervical misalignments can have far-reaching neurological consequences. From headaches and craniofacial pain to dizziness, vertigo, and emotional stress, these misalignments can affect every aspect of a person’s life.
But with the right diagnosis and treatment, we’ve seen countless patients find relief and regain their vitality. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms we’ve discussed in this article, we encourage you to give us a call and schedule a consultation.
Together, we can help you get back on the road to optimal health.