When Laura was 14 years old, a moment on an icy schoolyard changed the course of her health.

She had been playing outside her high school when another student accidentally ran into her, knocking her down onto the ice. At first it didn’t seem like a serious injury. But almost immediately she noticed something was wrong.

The left side of her tongue went numb, and her neck began hurting.

Doctors at the time weren’t sure what to do. Laura was placed in a cervical collar for six months while her neck healed. After that, she was simply told to move forward and live with whatever symptoms remained.

Unfortunately, the story didn’t end there.

A Complicated Diagnosis

Around the same time as her neck injury, Laura was diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.

Doctors believed many of her symptoms might be related to the arthritis. Over the years she was told that the condition would likely worsen and that her future mobility might be limited.

At one point, Laura remembers being told that she might end up in a wheelchair by the age of 25.

For a young teenager, hearing something like that can shape how you see your future.

But Laura wasn’t ready to accept that outcome.

Refusing to Accept the Prognosis

As she grew older, Laura made a decision that would shape the direction of her health.

Instead of accepting that her condition would inevitably worsen, she decided to take an active role in finding ways to improve her well-being.

Over the years she searched for different approaches that might help her manage pain and maintain mobility.

Eventually, that search led her to learn about upper cervical chiropractic care.

Discovering Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on the very top bones of the neck, especially the atlas vertebra.

This bone sits directly beneath the skull and surrounds the brainstem, an area responsible for communication between the brain and body.

Because the nervous system influences nearly every function in the body, alignment in the upper neck can sometimes play a role in symptoms involving pain, mobility, or coordination.

Curious about whether this approach might help her, Laura scheduled an appointment with Dr. Drew Hall at Neckwise.

Her First Visit

Laura remembers feeling hopeful but cautious when she first visited the office.

After the evaluation and her first precise upper cervical correction, something surprising happened.

She noticed relief from the pain she had been living with.

For someone who had dealt with neck discomfort for many years, that change was significant.

Continuing Care

After her first appointment, Laura continued with the recommended care plan.

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on restoring alignment and allowing the body time to stabilize, rather than adjusting patients frequently.

As she continued care, Laura experienced improvements in comfort and overall well-being.

Eventually she reached a point where she no longer felt she needed regular visits.

A Maintenance Approach

Today, Laura returns to the office about once a year for maintenance visits.

This approach helps ensure that her neck remains aligned and that her body continues functioning well.

Looking back on her experience, she says the results have been life-changing.

Laura’s Reflection

Laura describes her experience simply:

“I have never been so happy with the care I’ve received from a doctor.”

After decades of living with the effects of a neck injury and arthritis diagnosis, finding an approach that improved her comfort and quality of life made a meaningful difference.

Why Some People Explore Upper Cervical Care

The upper cervical spine plays an important role in supporting the head and protecting the nervous system.

The atlas vertebra sits directly beneath the skull and surrounds the brainstem, which helps coordinate communication throughout the body.

Upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on evaluating this area and making gentle, precise corrections when necessary.

For some people experiencing chronic pain, headaches, or neck-related symptoms, examining the upper cervical spine can provide new insight into possible contributing factors.

When Symptoms Last for Years

Many patients who explore upper cervical chiropractic care have been dealing with symptoms for years before discovering this approach.

Some experience improvements quickly, while others notice gradual changes over time as the body stabilizes.

Each healing journey is different.

Considering an Evaluation

If you are experiencing symptoms such as:

• chronic neck pain
• headaches
• dizziness
• mobility limitations

It may be helpful to evaluate the upper cervical spine.

At Neckwise, doctors focus on precise upper cervical chiropractic care designed to support proper nervous system function.