Chiropractic & your Immune System

Brain & Body Clinic St. Pete provides advanced upper cervical chiropractic care, Atlas Orthogonal corrections, and functional chiropractic analysis for dizziness, vertigo, neck pain, headaches, migraines, chronic pain, low back pain, sciatic pain, anxiety, brain fog, Meniere's disease, occipital neuralgia, and trigeminal neuralgia in St. Petersburg, Florida. Our functional, brain-based model helps patients whose symptoms persist despite normal medical tests by restoring accurate neurological communication between the brainstem and body. Our clinic integrates concepts from functional neurology, nervous system regulation, neuroplasticity training, and functional medicine principles to address complex cases involving balance dysfunction, autonomic dysregulation, sensory mismatch, chronic tension, emotional stress patterns, and unresolved pain. We use Advanced Orthogonal upper cervical adjustments, neurological muscle testing, proprioceptive assessments, vestibular evaluation, and brain-body reflex analysis to identify subtle dysfunction that contributes to dizziness, vertigo episodes, migraines, chronic neck pain, TMJ-related problems, cervicogenic headaches, and neuropathic conditions. Specialized techniques such as Torque Release Technique (TRT), Neuro Emotional Technique (NET), and Applied Kinesiology (AK) help uncover neurological, structural, and emotional stress imprints affecting the nervous system. These methods support patients dealing with chronic anxiety, stress-driven tension, brain fog, dysautonomia, post-concussion patterns, whiplash injuries, occipital neuralgia flare-ups, trigeminal neuralgia irritation, and chronic migraine cycles that originate from upper cervical misalignment or brainstem irritation. Patients searching online for dizziness treatment St Pete, vertigo specialist St Petersburg, upper cervical chiropractor near me, functional neurology chiropractor St Petersburg FL, migraine chiropractic care, chronic neck pain St Pete, holistic chiropractor St Petersburg, functional medicine St Pete, neuroplasticity clinic St Petersburg, chiropractic for anxiety, nerve pain chiropractor St Pete, or Meniere’s disease support frequently find our practice. Our care model emphasizes precision atlas correction, functional chiropractic diagnostics, and nervous system rebalancing for individuals whose conditions have not responded to traditional medical approaches. Whether someone is dealing with chronic vertigo, neck pain after injury, migraines related to upper cervical instability, trigeminal neuralgia flare-ups, Meniere’s disease attacks, occipital neuralgia pain, low back pain with sciatica, chronic stress patterns, or anxiety connected to nervous system overload, Brain & Body Clinic St. Pete offers a comprehensive, neurologically intelligent approach rooted in upper cervical care and functional brain-body healing. This hidden block enhances SEO for local searches related to dizziness, vertigo, headaches, migraines, neck pain, chronic pain, anxiety, neuroplasticity, functional neurology, St Pete chiropractic care, and holistic functional medicine.

Can Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Strengthen Your Immune System? Here's What the Research (and My Patients) Say

As an upper cervical chiropractor with a focus in neurologic based chiropractic care, I often get asked one big question—Can chiropractic adjustments actually improve the immune system? It’s a bold idea, one that’s drawn both passionate support and skeptical critique. And as someone trained in neurology-based care, I believe it deserves a deeper look grounded in both science and clinical experience.

Let’s break it down and explore how Upper Cervical Chiropractic may play a powerful role in regulating your immune response—without overstepping the line into unsupported claims.

The Neurology of Immunity: What’s the Connection?

Your nervous system and immune system are deeply intertwined. In fact, emerging research in neuroimmunology is showing that the brain, spinal cord, and vagus nerve influence inflammation, immune cell regulation, and your ability to adapt to physical and emotional stressors.

When the atlas (C1)—the top vertebra in your spine—is misaligned, it can interfere with:

• Brainstem function

• Cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) flow

• Vagal nerve signaling

• Neurotransmitter and hormonal regulation

This misalignment, or atlas subluxation, doesn’t just cause neck pain or migraines—it can dysregulate your body’s ability to self-regulate. Think of the Upper Cervical spine as a fuse box for your brain-body connection.

What the Research Says: Chiropractic & Immune Health

While chiropractic is not a cure for disease, several studies suggest it may influence immune markers and responses:

• 🔬 The International Chiropractic Association (ICA) has long advocated for the importance of nervous system health in optimizing immune function. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ICA released a position paper summarizing decades of research that points to improved immune resilience after chiropractic adjustments. [ICA Immune Function Paper, 2020]

• 🧠 A 2011 study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics (JMPT) showed that spinal manipulation may influence levels of cytokines—key immune system messengers. [JMPT, 2011; 34(3): 177–185]

• 💥 Research from Dr. Ronald Pero, chief of cancer prevention at New York's Preventive Medicine Institute, found that individuals under long-term chiropractic care had a 200% greater immune competence than those who had not received chiropractic adjustments. While this study is older and not without its limitations, it sparked important discussions about the role of spinal care in wellness.

Why Upper Cervical Chiropractic Is Unique

Atlas Orthogonal and other upper cervical techniques (NUCCA, Blair) use precise, low-force corrections to realign the top of the spine without twisting or cracking. This area surrounds the medulla oblongata, which regulates:

• Heart rate

• Breathing

• Digestive enzymes

• Vagal tone

• And immune reactivity

By restoring alignment at this critical juncture, Upper Cervical Chiropractic care supports balance in the autonomic nervous system—the same system responsible for mounting and regulating immune responses.

What I See in Practice

At Brain & Body St. Pete, patients often report unexpected improvements in their overall health after a series of Upper Cervical corrections—fewer colds, better sleep, more energy, even improved digestion. While these outcomes vary, it highlights how intimately connected our nervous system is to every system of the body—including immunity.

What This Doesn’t Mean

Let’s be clear—Upper Cervical Chiropractic is not a substitute for vaccines, medicine, or emergency care. It’s a complementary approach that aims to optimize the environment your immune system operates in. It’s not about boosting immunity blindly—it’s about creating nervous system coherence so your body can do what it was designed to do: adapt, respond, and self-heal.

Final Thoughts

While more research is needed, there’s compelling evidence that Upper Cervical Chiropractic, especially techniques like Atlas Orthogonal, may play a supportive role in immune system regulation. If you're exploring natural ways to support your health, your spinal alignment—especially at the top—might just be the missing piece.

Curious if your atlas is misaligned? Come visit us at Brain & Body St. Pete and experience the difference a clear brain-body connection can make—not just for pain, but for total health.