FAQs

Advanced Orthogonal (AdvO) Chiropractic is a state-of-the-art upper cervical technique. Upper cervical means that we focus on the misalignment of the structures in your upper neck and helping to accurately realign those areas to remove pressure off important nervous system structures like your brain stem, spinal cord and nerves.

The biggest difference between the application of AdvO care and traditional chiropractic care is the meticulous and painless treatment process. AdvO care does not require any twisting or popping to manipulate the spine. An AdvO upper cervical chiropractor focuses on the precise alignment of the neck vertebrae, realizing that the rest of the spine will follow suit when the top two vertebrae are in working order.

If you have a misalignment in the upper neck then you are likely to be a candidate for AdvO care. Age is not a factor. In fact, we treat day old babies and people well into their nineties. We are able to see individuals who have had surgeries that prevent them from being under the care of traditional chiropractors due to the specific and gentle nature of the AdvO technique. Our thorough examination will determine if you are a candidate for care.

Patients with many types of conditions have responded favorably to AdvO care. These types of conditions would include:

• Headaches
• Migraines
• Neck Pain
• Brain Fog
• Dizziness/Vertigo
• High Blood Pressure
• Fibromyalgia
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Low Back Pain
• Sciatica
• Scoliosis/Posture Problems
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Trigeminal Neuralgia
• TMJ
• Auto Injuries
• Whiplash Trauma
• Concussions
• Sports Injuries
• Seizures
• Bell’s Palsy

Childhood Conditions:

• Ear Infections
• Colic
• Digestive Bowl Issues
• Allergies
• Asthma
• Difficulty Sleeping

Upper Cervical Chiropractors restore proper head, neck, and spine alignment by performing a specific, precise, and gentle correction to the upper neck. Accidents and injuries tear loose the connective tissue that holds the spine in place, and this causes the spine to break down and lock into a stressed position. A misaligned spine frequently begins with a head or neck injury such as a motor vehicle crash, concussion, whiplash, slip or fall, sports injury, childhood injury or other trauma to the head and neck. The most common location for this type of misalignment to originate is the upper neck, otherwise known as the upper cervical spine. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care focuses on correcting misalignments in the upper neck region of your spine. This type of misalignment can lead to a variety of debilitating symptoms and conditions, including vertigo, Ménière’s disease, dizziness, migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, TMJ, chronic neck pain, sciatica, low back pain, and many other conditions. St. Petersburg Upper Cervical Chiropractic is crucial in correcting upper neck misalignments to remove pressure and irritation on structures, including the brainstem and cranial nerves, effectively allowing you to restore your body’s vitality.

Each specific and precise upper neck adjustment your Upper Cervical Chiropractic Doctor does is designed to ease the C1 and C2 bones back to their proper places and alignment. Patients have varying experiences after trying Advanced Orthogonal in St. Petersburg. Some enjoy immediate improvements, while others, especially those with severe cases of spinal misalignment, notice slight muscle stiffness that clears up in a few days. The goal of our care is to provide you with fast relief, maximum recovery, and long-lasting results.

Each case of spinal misalignment is different. So, Upper Cervical Care Doctors custom design an approach based on the needs of each individual patient. Depending on the severity of your spinal misalignment and nerve interference and how quickly you respond to care will determine your need for follow-up care. You may need to return for subsequent adjustments for several weeks or even months after the initial session to correct and stabilize a misaligned spine. Once a misaligned spine is stabilized, it is recommended that you maintain your spinal health through visits to your Upper Cervical Chiropractor in St. Petersburg much the same way that you maintain the health of your teeth by seeing your dentist.

A misaligned spine may have developed over many years or even decades. Multiple visits to a chiropractic office are necessary because the bones must gradually be eased back into their natural alignment. St. Petersburg chiropractors use minimal force to realign C1 and C2 bones to prevent adding trauma to an already compressed or irritated brainstem, cranial nerves, and other structures. Also, it’s worth noting that chronic pain and other debilitating conditions don’t happen overnight. Hence, the healing process can also take time.

Yes. There are no drugs, surgeries, or stressful manipulations of the spine with AdvO care. AdvO chiropractors use specific testing, examination and precise x-ray analysis to determine the safest and most efficient treatment process. Our approach utilizes a gentle sound-wave adjusting instrument to move the top bone in your neck back into alignment, taking pressure off of the intricate nerves and brain stem to restore better function and healing.

No. AdvO chiropractic corrections do not require any twisting, popping, or cracking of the patient’s neck or spine. At most, the patient may feel a small amount of pressure around the upper neck as the painless, percussive sound wave adjustment is administered.

“To see, is to know.” There is no room for guesswork in AdvO upper cervical care. Pre x-rays are initially taken to provide a clear view and analysis of the misalignments in the upper neck to determine accurate and tailored corrections. After your initial correction, a set of two post x-rays are taken, analyzed and compared to the pre x-rays to ensure that the correction was effective. Post x-rays will allow us to determine if any modifications are still needed to obtain the best correction possible. Each person’s anatomy and life experiences are different and will respond uniquely to the upper cervical correction.

Typically, our patients experience improvement in their condition within the first 2-4 weeks of care. It is important to remember that healing is an ongoing “process” that restores health and vitality back to your body. It is not completed overnight. Time is required in order to fully regain your health. Your doctor will design a specific treatment plan to maximize your response and recovery in the shortest duration possible. Following this plan is imperative to the success of your care. Compliance is key. A patient’s choice to deviate from the recommended course of care will extend your recovery time.

The upper neck can become misaligned from many different experiences. It doesn’t just take some sort of accident or injury that occurred at some point in life. It could happen at birth or from falling off your bike. Other times, it is exposure to stress or poor posture. The fact is, the longer the upper neck remains misaligned, the more the rest of the body will suffer the repercussions.

The misalignment in the neck can cause changes throughout the whole body. The upper neck area houses your brainstem, which is responsible for the muscle tone in your entire body. When there is a misalignment in the upper neck, the spine and hip can become distorted by compensating to the muscle imbalance. As a result, this causes muscle tension, spasms, pain and discomfort in the low back area. Without the correct upper neck alignment, you will continue to suffer reoccurring problems in your lower back.

The first visit is to determine if an individual is a candidate for care. This will include a consultation, examination and x-rays at a cost of $400. During the second visit, your doctor will review the results of your examination and x-rays, and discuss your recommended plan of care. The first correction will be performed followed by two post x-rays and a soft cervical collar will be placed on the patient. This visit will cost approximately $200-$235.

Once your specific plan of care is determined, future costs will be better understood for your recovery.

The answer is possibly. Health insurance plans can vary in coverage. Depending on your plan, we may be able to submit claims to your insurance company on your behalf or provide you with a detailed receipt (superbill) to submit to your insurance company for reimbursement. We must emphasize that as medical providers our relationship is with you, not your insurance company, so it is best to verify with your insurance carrier that you have “out of network” benefits for chiropractic care. Our insurance team will be happy to confirm coverage. Although filing your insurance claims is a courtesy extended to you, all charges are always your responsibility from the date services are rendered.

Researchers have yet to uncover the exact mechanism behind every migraine episode. But, more and more evidence points to abnormal brain activities as the most likely culprit behind debilitating migraine attacks. But what leads to these abnormal brain activities? Frequently, the function of the brain is being impacted by misalignments in the upper neck. Accidents and injuries to the head and neck can lead to a displacement of the top 2 bones in the neck, which affects blood flow and cerebral spinal fluid flow to and from the brain. These changes can have a dramatic impact on the brain’s function and can lead to a variety of problems, including migraine headaches.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic is an effective way to provide St. Petersburg migraine relief, so you can take advantage of it each time you have an episode. We also recommend steering clear of your migraine triggers and taking preventive medications to abate the pain and discomfort you experience. The most important aspect of dealing with migraines is getting to the underlying cause. Often, upper neck misalignments are the underlying cause.

Migraine attacks can worsen and set off several unpleasant symptoms like pulsating headaches, fatigue, nausea, vertigo, vomiting, visual aura, and odd food cravings. Such symptoms can easily drain the joy in your life and impact other aspects of your well-being. We strongly suggest Investigating the underlying cause of your episodes and tapping into helpful remedies such as seeing a chiropractor for migraine in St. Petersburg as soon as possible.

Vertigo attacks often indicate an underlying health problem. So, if you experience dizzying spells and spinning sensations, it’s a good idea to rule out the possible cause of your symptoms. This will help you determine the techniques or remedies for your situation. Some popular vertigo remedies include Upper Cervical Chiropractic in St. Petersburg, The Epley Maneuver, and vestibular therapy.

Spinning sensations can stem from various problems ranging from vestibular disorders like Meniere’s and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo to nervous system issues like head trauma, spinal tumor, and stroke.

Most vertigo attacks are non-life-threatening. However, it would help if you still looked out for red flags like facial paralysis, limb numbness, thunderclap headaches, and loss of consciousness. If you spot any of these symptoms, call 911 to receive urgent medical attention.

Studies explain that fibromyalgia sets off a variety of neurological symptoms like chronic fatigue, fibro-fog, sleeping problems, pin and needles, migraine headaches, anxiety, depression, and widespread body pain and tenderness.

Curbing your flare-ups entails managing your risks and embracing a healthier lifestyle. It is also helpful to keep track of your triggers, outbreaks, and symptoms. Seeing a chiropractor for fibromyalgia in St. Petersburg also gives you an advantage in avoiding fibromyalgia flare-ups.

Fibromyalgia flare-ups often result from exposure to triggers such as stress (physical, emotional, etc.), exhaustion, diet changes, hormonal imbalance, and lack of sleep. The symptoms can also worsen if you have pre-existing rheumatic disorders like lupus and osteoarthritis.

Alleviating sciatica pain usually involves removing or reducing pressure on the nerve tissue. That’s why several patients with this condition seek promising remedies like Upper Cervical Chiropractic care. To determine what specific technique or relief option applies to your situation, you must consult a sciatica chiropractor in St. Petersburg.

According to studies, several health conditions can set off sciatica. These include herniated discs, spinal misalignment, bone overgrowth, lumbar spine tumor growth, spinal stenosis, and pregnancy. Notably, the undue mechanical strain from the abovementioned conditions compresses or irritates the sciatic nerve tissue. This sets off several symptoms, including searing lower back pain and paresthesia.

Definitely! St. Petersburg chiropractic doctors, especially those focusing on the head and spine alignment, can help alleviate the pressure on the lumbar spine. Lower back pain with or without sciatica is frequently the result of misalignments of the head and neck. If the head is tilted to one side it will begin a series of compensations that frequently result in hips being tilted and stress being applied to the lower back nerves. Careful upper neck bone adjustments can restore the proper spinal alignment and allow your sciatic nerve to heal and recover from your injury.

There is a myriad of ways you can attend to your achy neck. A few notable examples to get natural relief for neck pain in St. Petersburg include Upper Cervical Chiropractic, massage therapy, hot and cold therapy, acupuncture, and acupressure.

Poor posture and neck trauma are among the most common reasons for an achy neck. It would be best to look for other neck pain triggers like osteoarthritis, disc degeneration, muscle inflammation, and arthritis. 

If you have chronic neck pain, we highly recommend consulting an upper cervical chiropractic doctor to evaluate your head, neck, and spinal alignment.

Back pain can result from various things. Some of the most commonly reported causes include repetitive injuries, physical overexertion, disc degeneration, and vertebral subluxation.

St. Petersburg Upper Cervical Chiropractors can help enhance spinal health and lessen the aching sensation on your back. Carefully planned adjustments based on advanced imaging scans of the C1 and C2 bones can restore the normal alignment of your spinal column. Effectively, this releases tension buildup on our back muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Misaligned spinal cases vary, so it’s virtually impossible to estimate how long it would take to correct your posture. It would be best to consult with an Upper Cervical Chiropractor to know how you can proceed. Generally, patients who undergo chiropractic adjustments on their spine, starting with the head and neck alignment, notice significant differences in their back pain after the first few sessions.

People living with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders tap into several techniques to ease their discomfort. The usual remedies that patients swear by include Upper Cervical Chiropractic. 

While both a medical doctor and dentist have some knowledge of TMJ, an Upper Cervical Chiropractor can evaluate your head, neck, and jaw to determine the underlying cause. 

Yes! While TMJ usually develops from jaw malocclusions, several patients with this condition still seek a chiropractor for TMJ relief in St. Petersburg. That’s because the neck bone adjustments diminish the mechanical strain on the spine and nearby structures. 

The main cause of migraines is still unknown, but a number of things can trigger them. These include blood vessel changes, hormonal changes, food, weather, and stress levels. These are mostly related to a chemical imbalance within your brain system. 

Another possible reason is a miscommunication between your brain and other parts of your body due to nerve damage from subluxations. Any form of pinching or compression on the nerves that send signals to your brain with regard to your spatial orientation and sensory functions may contribute to your attacks.

Migraine sufferers should always consult their most trusted Rochester migraine chiropractor or doctor before starting any new approach to migraine relief. In general, however, there are some things you can do to help ease your symptoms:

• Drink lots of water!
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. 
• Try relaxation techniques. 
• Another option for managing your migraines is exercise.

These simple tips and tricks can be more effective with regular upper cervical care. That is because chiropractic care can ensure that all your systems are in good condition and no nerves are compromised due to a spinal misalignment.

It’s easy to ignore a headache, especially if it’s not a migraine. But migraines are more than just a headache—they can also cause nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and sound. If you ignore your migraines and don’t treat them, they can get worse over time. Eventually, they may become so severe that they interfere with your daily life, making it impossible for you to work or enjoy yourself without pain and discomfort. Avoid this by being proactive about your health and finding the most appropriate migraine relief in Rochester for you.

Vertigo tends to resolve on its own within a few days after the initial onset of symptoms. But if your vertigo persists, there are steps that you can take to prevent it or lessen its effects. You should try to avoid activities that trigger your symptoms, like looking up at tall buildings or riding in a moving vehicle. You should also avoid caffeine and alcohol, as these substances can make your symptoms worse. And if your symptoms persist, you should see your doctor or chiropractor for vertigo in Rochester for possible care plan options.

Here are the most common causes of vertigo that you should watch out for, so you can start taking action as soon as possible:

• Vestibular Disorders – The most common inner ear problems are Meniere’s disease, Benign Paroxysmal Position Vertigo (BPPV), Vestibular Neuritis, and Labyrinthitis.

• Head Injury, Trauma, Accidents – It could be something called post-traumatic vertigo (PTV), which happens when nerve damage from the injury disrupts signals between the brain and the inner ear. PTV may come back later on, so it’s important to watch out for it and get the necessary maintenance care.
• Dehydration – It’s one of the most common reasons for vertigo. It can happen if your body isn’t getting enough fluid.

If the spinning sensation is accompanied by nausea or vomiting, dizziness that lasts longer than two days or more than three episodes in one week, loss of balance or difficulty walking, hearing loss or ringing in the ears, blurred vision or double vision, changes in taste or smell, a sudden onset of headaches that do not go away with medicine or rest – contact your nearest Rochester chiropractor or doctor immediately. These are signs that something serious may be going on. 

The symptoms of fibromyalgia are different for everyone and can vary in severity depending on your overall health condition. Some of the most common signs and symptoms of a fibromyalgia flare-up include: 

• Feeling fatigued, exhausted, or tired constantly
• Waking up feeling like you didn’t get enough sleep
• Trouble thinking clearly or concentrating on tasks
• Your muscles feel stiff or painful when moving around
• You have aches in your joints that don’t go away with rest

A flare-up is a sudden worsening of your symptoms. You may experience additional pain or new areas of pain, and it can be hard to tell if the flare-up is a short-term thing or if it will last for several days or more. It’s important to remember that flares are common with fibromyalgia, and they don’t mean that your condition is getting worse.

To help manage your flare-ups:

1. Get rest. You may need to take a few days off work or school if possible so that you can rest and give your body time to recover from the flare-up.
2. Exercise regularly, but not too much at once (start slow). If you’re able to exercise every day, try starting out with just 10 minutes of walking each day. Work up from there as your body allows—and always listen to what your body tells you.
3. Eat healthy foods. Whenever possible, eat fruits, vegetables, and whole grains so that your body has all the nutrients it needs during stressful flare-up times.

Fibromyalgia can get worse for a number of reasons. Some are related to your environment, while others are related to your own body. The most common cause is when you’re under stress, and the body releases hormones that cause pain. It’s also possible that your body is overreacting to pain signals or that you’re not producing enough natural pain relief chemicals in your brain. In terms of what’s going on around you, it’s important to be aware of the things that can cause fibromyalgia to flare up. For example, if you have certain types of injuries or illnesses like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, this can trigger symptoms of fibromyalgia.

Sciatica is a symptom of a more serious health problem. The discomfort usually goes away on its own, but if it doesn’t, it’s time to see a doctor or a sciatica chiropractor in Rochester. If you have sciatica, the first thing your doctor will do is take your medical history and perform a physical exam. This is to determine the cause of your sciatica and rule out other possible causes, such as a tumor or an infection in the spine.

In most cases, there’s no single “fastest” way to cure sciatica. The first thing you should do when dealing with sciatic nerve pain is to contact an expert to get a proper diagnosis and an apt care plan. Then it depends on whether you’re talking about short-term or long-term solutions. You can choose one that fits you and your lifestyle.

Short-term solutions include taking over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen or managing your symptoms with ice and heat. Your doctor may also prescribe medication for your sciatica, such as anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxants.

Long-term solutions include physical therapy, lifestyle changes like losing weight, surgery, or, for a less invasive but more holistic healing, regular chiropractic care.

Sciatica is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your legs. The most common cause of sciatica is a slipped disk in the spine. Many things can cause the disk to slip out of place—like sitting in one position too long, lifting something heavy without proper form or technique, or even having poor posture. Other causes include tumors, inflammation or infection, and degenerative conditions such as arthritis.

Yes! Rochester chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat spinal problems that can lead to pain and discomfort in the lower back and legs. A thorough examination will help identify the cause of your symptoms and recommend an appropriate care plan.

There are tons of ways to address neck pain. You can start with some basic exercises to help you strengthen your neck muscles and improve blood flow to the area. There’s also the use of heating pads, cool packs, and massage to reduce the pain and swelling of your neck muscles or alternative approaches like acupressure or upper cervical chiropractic care.

Neck pain is a common problem, and it can be caused by a variety of things. The most common reason for neck pain is an injury to the soft tissues around your neck—that affects your muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves. Sometimes these injuries can happen suddenly, as with an accident; other times, they’re due to repetitive strain over time, like if you’re constantly looking down at your phone 

Other causes of neck pain include arthritis, bulging or herniated discs (when the spinal cord pushes against the bony spinal canal), osteoarthritis (the wear-and-tear kind), and tumors.

The most common types of doctors who treat neck pain are chiropractors and physical therapists. If you go to p physical therapists, they often use massage therapy and exercises to help strengthen your muscles, improve your posture and breathing patterns, and reduce pain levels. While a chiropractor in Rochester may perform adjustments on your spine in order to help relax the muscles and relieve pressure on the nerves. 

A number of factors can contribute to back pain—from repetitive injuries or physical overexertion to poor posture. If these symptoms persist for more than two weeks or worsen over time, it’s important to visit your doctor as soon as possible.

When your spinal column is out of alignment, tension builds up in your back muscles and joints. These tensions cause pain, discomfort, and sometimes even severe symptoms like headaches or migraines. Rochester upper cervical chiropractors are trained to address these misalignments by carefully adjusting them back into that position. This breaks up the tension buildup in your body, releasing pain and discomfort in your back and neck.

The amount of chiropractic sessions you’ll need for back pain depends on your individual case. While most patients see significant differences in their back pain after just a few sessions, it’s impossible to predict exactly how long it will take for you to correct your posture. But if you’re seeing a good upper cervical chiropractor in Rochester, it could be much less than you think—and that’s a good thing! 

One natural but sure way to ease temporomandibular joint pain and disorder is through upper cervical chiropractic care. This approach focuses on relieving tension and stress on the upper cervical spine and cranial bones that cause a wide range of symptoms, including headaches and jaw pain.

A TMJ disorder can be caused by many things, including misalignment on the jaw or head. If you are experiencing undeniable TMJ pains, it is recommended that you see a doctor or dentist who can help diagnose your specific concern. However, once you’ve been diagnosed and have been given prescriptions by these experts but are still experiencing pain and discomfort, it is important to be evaluated by a NUCCA chiropractor to check for any underlying cause and be administered the necessary adjustments that could give you lasting TMJ pain relief.

Yes, chiropractors can help with TMJ disorders. TMJ disorders are caused by misalignment of the jaw and surrounding muscles, which can cause pain and discomfort in your face and neck. Your chiropractor in Rochester will use a variety of techniques to realign your jaw so that it works more efficiently, thereby reducing your pain and symptoms. A chiropractor may also help you to identify other causes of your TMJ disorder, such as stress or anxiety.