Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic is a branch of chiropractic

Chiropractic

Chiropractic is a health care profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the neuromusculoskeletal system and the effects of these disorders on general health. It is generally categorized as complementary and alternative medicine...

 developed and promoted by B. J. Palmer

B. J. Palmer

Bartlett Joshua Palmer born in What Cheer, Iowa, was a pioneer of chiropractic. B.J. was son of Daniel David Palmer , the founder of chiropractic.- Early life :...

 beginning in the 1930s until his death. According to Upper cervical chiropractic, a vertebral subluxation

Vertebral subluxation

Vertebral subluxation is a term that is commonly used by some chiropractors to describe signs and symptoms of the spinal column. Those chiropractors who assert this concept also add a visceral component to the definition...

 can only occur in upper cervical vertebrae. Therefore this technique places great importance on the anatomical structures of the atlanto-occipital joint

Atlanto-occipital joint

The Atlanto-occipital joint consists of a pair of condyloid joints. The atlanto-occipital joint is a synovial joint.-Ligaments:The ligaments connecting the bones are:* Two Articular capsules...

, pointing out that it floats on two toed-in spoon like surfaces and is a potential source of instability. This potential instability of the atlanto-occipital joint is theorized to predispose people to an "adaptational imbalance" in the head/neck region.

Background

This theory was brought to Palmer's attention by Al Wernsing, another chiropractor. Soon thereafter, Palmer abandoned his ties to traditional full-spine spinal adjustments and allowed only adjustments of the upper cervical

Neck

The neck is the part of the body, on many terrestrial or secondarily aquatic vertebrates, that distinguishes the head from the torso or trunk. The adjective signifying "of the neck" is cervical .-Boner anatomy: The cervical spine:The cervical portion of the human spine comprises seven boney...

 vertebrae, a technique which he termed "Hole in one" (HIO). The technique was the only one to be taught during the remainder of his life at Palmer School of Chiropractic. Afterwards the school adopted the work of chiropractors Clay Thompson and Clarence Gonstead, but eventually labelled its technique curriculum the Palmer Package.

The techniques are characterised by:

1. Main influence on the upper cervical articulations of the occiput

Occipital bone

The occipital bone, a saucer-shaped membrane bone situated at the back and lower part of the cranium, is trapezoidal in shape and curved on itself...

, and the atlas

Atlas (anatomy)

In anatomy, the atlas is the most superior cervical vertebra of the spine.It is named for the Atlas of Greek mythology, because it supports the globe of the head....

 and axis

Axis (anatomy)

In anatomy, the second cervical vertebra of the spine is named the axis or epistropheus.It forms the pivot upon which the first cervical vertebra , which carries the head, rotates....

 vertebrae

2. Focus on vector calculation based upon the theory that kinematic joint dysfunction is related to a positional disturbance.

3. Attempted radiographic analysis of positional disturbance of the atlanto-occipital joint

4. Documentation of post-adjustment results with objective measures

5. Use of a specific vectored force

Subluxation

According to Upper cervical chiropractic, a subluxation can only occur in upper cervical vertebrae. A subluxation must have the following components:

1. A vertebra out of alignment with its co-respondents above and below.

2. Occlusion of a foramen or foramina

3. Pressure upon nerves

4. Interference with transmission of the normal quality flow of mental impulse supply between brain and body

5. No vertebrae is subluxated unless it is off normal position in three directions and remains such (Vol. XVIII)

List of named upper cervical techniques

• Palmer Upper Cervical Specific Toggle Recoil (HIO)
• Grostic hand adjustment
• Advanced Orthogonal Techniques & Procedures (AOTP)
• Atlas Orthogonal Technique (AO)
  Atlas Orthogonal Technique
  Atlas Orthogonal Technique is an upper cervical chiropractic treatment technique created by Roy Sweat, DC.- Upper cervical specific :It is a technique which uses a percussion instrument in attempts to adjust what is perceived to be a subluxation of the atlas vertebra, the top vertebra in the...
  
  
• Blair Upper Cervical
• National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA)
  NUCCA
  NUCCA is a style of Upper Cervical Specific Chiropractic developed by Dr. Ralph Gregory and based primarily upon the work he and Dr. John Grostic performed known as the Grostic Technique. In 1966, Dr...
  
  
• Chiropractic Orthospinology
• KCUCS Knee Chest Upper Cervical Specific
• Kale Specific Knee Chest Brainstem
• Laney Technique
• Applied Upper Cervical Biomechanics
• Upper Cervical Orthogonal - Cowin
• Zimmerman (SAM)
• Sutter Specific Atlas Correction
• Life College Upper Cervical Technique
• Pettibon Upper Cervical Specific Technique

Literature

Textbooks such as Eriksen's "Upper Cervical Subluxation Complex" argue for the technique on the basis of empirical evidence in private practice and a review of associated concepts in published literature.

A pilot study concludes that alignment of the atlas vertebra results in notable and sustained reduction in blood pressure.

A review of case studies found upper cervical technique to be promising in the management of neck pain.

A systematic literature review in 2001 found upper cervical techniques to be in the least effective group of treatments for low back pain among several chiropractic techniques reviewed.