Upper Cervical Chiropractic in South Jordan: Gentle, X-Ray-Guided Atlas Care
Gentle, precise, X-ray-guided care for the top of your neck, where your head meets your spine. Dr. John Kupper uses the same type of table and percussion instrument used in Atlas Orthogonal care. No twisting, no cracking.
Prefer to talk first? Call 385-313-8360.
What Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?
Upper cervical chiropractic is a specialized area of chiropractic that focuses on the atlas (C1) and axis (C2), the top two vertebrae in your neck. The atlas is a ring of bone that holds up the roughly 10–12 lb weight of your head. The axis has a small peg (the dens) that lets your head turn. Together they surround the brainstem and upper spinal cord and sit beside the vertebral arteries that carry blood toward the brain.
Because this junction is so mobile, and because the rest of the spine balances beneath it, upper cervical chiropractors believe that even a small misalignment here can contribute to posture changes, muscle tension and pain patterns elsewhere. The goal of care is to measure that alignment precisely and correct it as gently as possible.
How It Differs From General Chiropractic
General chiropractic often adjusts several areas of the spine per visit, usually by hand, sometimes with the familiar "pop." Upper cervical care narrows the focus to the top of the neck, uses detailed measurements to plan each correction, and delivers it with very little force. Well-known upper cervical methods include Atlas Orthogonal, Advanced Orthogonal, NUCCA, Blair, and QSM3. Each differs in how it analyzes and adjusts.
Our Approach: Atlas Orthogonal–Style, Instrument-Based Care
Dr. Kupper uses the same table and percussion-instrument approach used by Atlas Orthogonal and Advanced Orthogonal chiropractors. Atlas Orthogonal was developed by Dr. Roy W. Sweat. Advanced Orthogonal was later developed by Dr. Stan Pierce, an instructor in the Sweat program. Both are built on the same core ideas:
Precise analysis first. Specific upper-neck X-ray views are measured to find how the atlas is positioned relative to the skull and the neck below.
A patient-specific correction. Those measurements determine the side, angle, and contact point for the adjustment.
A table-mounted instrument, not a manual thrust. You lie comfortably on your side with your head supported. A stylus rests just behind the ear, over the atlas's transverse process. The instrument delivers a brief, light percussive impulse.
No twisting, popping, or cracking. The correction happens within your normal range of motion. Many people say they barely felt anything.
Background sources: Advanced Orthogonal Institute · How a percussive sound wave corrects the atlas · Global Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Program · FDA 510(k) K951217, Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument (1995)
X-Rays Before and After Your Adjustment
When imaging is clinically appropriate, Dr. Kupper takes X-rays before your first correction. Upper cervical analysis typically uses several views of the head and neck, from the side, the front, and above. They show how the atlas sits relative to the skull and the rest of the neck. The measurements from these films set the instrument's angle and contact point.
After the adjustment, post-adjustment X-rays are taken to confirm the change in alignment and to guide future visits. This before-and-after check is a hallmark of orthogonal-style care. It means each correction is measured, not guessed.
How It Works, Step by Step
After a correction, you'll rest briefly so the surrounding muscles can relax. On later visits, Dr. Kupper re-checks your alignment and adjusts only if it's needed. The aim is for corrections to hold longer over time.
Potential Benefits of Upper Cervical Care
Very gentle. Suitable for people who dislike or can't tolerate manual "cracking"
Precise, measured corrections guided by X-ray analysis
May reduce neck pain and stiffness and improve range of motion
May reduce the frequency of neck-related headaches
May help posture and head/shoulder balance
Fewer, targeted adjustments. The goal is alignment that holds
Pairs well with massage, breathwork, and recovery services at REKÜP
A drug-free option to discuss alongside your other healthcare
How Upper Cervical Care May Help Common Concerns
Headaches (especially cervicogenic headaches)
Many headaches start in the neck. The upper cervical joints and muscles share nerve pathways with the head (the trigeminocervical nucleus), so irritation at C1–C3 can be felt as pain at the base of the skull, behind the eyes, or across the forehead. This is called a cervicogenic headache. Chiropractic evidence-based guidelines recommend spinal manipulation for cervicogenic headache, and a 256-person randomized trial found that headache days dropped by about half with a full course of care (see Research below).
Migraines
Migraine is a neurological condition with many triggers, and neck tension is common among people who have migraines. An observational pilot study of atlas-realignment care found fewer headache days and less headache-related disability over 8 weeks. A larger placebo-controlled trial of general chiropractic manipulation for migraine found that improvement was similar to a sham treatment. Bottom line: upper cervical care may help some people with migraines, especially when there is a neck component, but it is best used alongside, not instead of, care from your physician or neurologist.
Neck pain & stiffness
Neck pain has some of the strongest research support for chiropractic care. In a randomized trial published in Annals of Internal Medicine, spinal manipulation outperformed medication for acute and subacute neck pain over the following year. Home exercise with advice performed similarly well, which is why we pair adjustments with simple at-home guidance.
Dizziness & vertigo
Some dizziness is linked to the neck (cervicogenic dizziness), often after whiplash or with chronic neck tension. The upper neck carries many of the position sensors your brain uses for balance. Upper cervical care may help some of these cases, but research is limited. Dizziness can have inner-ear, cardiovascular, or neurological causes, so we screen carefully and refer you for medical evaluation when appropriate.
TMJ & jaw tension
The jaw and upper neck work together, sharing muscles and nerve pathways, and forward-head posture changes how the jaw rests. Some people with TMJ discomfort notice improvement when upper-neck tension eases. Evidence specific to upper cervical care is limited, and we may recommend co-management with your dentist.
Posture, balance & old injuries
When the head sits off-center, the body compensates through the shoulders, mid-back, and hips. Restoring balance at the top of the spine may support better posture and ease compensating tension. This is particularly relevant after car accidents, sports injuries, or falls.
The Science: Studies on Upper Cervical & Chiropractic Care
Atlas alignment & blood pressure (pilot RCT, n=50). In people with stage 1 hypertension, a NUCCA upper cervical correction was followed by average reductions of 17 mm Hg systolic and 10 mm Hg diastolic at 8 weeks, vs. 3 and 2 mm Hg with a sham procedure. No adverse effects were recorded. Bakris G, et al. J Hum Hypertens. 2007;21(5):347-52. PubMed 17252032
Balancing study: upper cervical manipulation & blood pressure (pilot RCT, n=51). A later sham-controlled pilot using a different upper cervical method (toggle recoil) found no blood-pressure reduction after 6 weeks. These mixed results mean upper cervical care should never replace blood-pressure treatment. Goertz CM, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2016;39(5):369-80. PubMed 27157678
Atlas realignment & migraine (observational pilot, n=11). Over 8 weeks of NUCCA care, participants reported clinically meaningful improvements, including fewer headache days and reduced headache-related disability. The primary MRI measure (intracranial compliance) did not change significantly overall, and the authors note controlled studies are needed. Woodfield HC 3rd, et al. BioMed Res Int. 2015;2015:630472. PubMed 26783523
Cervicogenic headache (randomized trial, n=256). Headache days fell in step with the number of spinal manipulation visits. With 18 visits, cervicogenic headache days dropped from about 16 to 8 per 4 weeks, roughly 3 fewer days per month than a light-massage control. Haas M, et al. Spine J. 2018;18(10):1741-54. PubMed 29481979
Clinical guidelines for headache. A guideline review concluded that spinal manipulation is recommended for cervicogenic headache and migraine (evidence up to a moderate level), while evidence for tension-type headache is equivocal. Bryans R, et al. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2011;34(5):274-89. PubMed 21640251
Migraine placebo-controlled trial (RCT, n=104). Migraine days dropped in both the chiropractic and sham groups, with no significant difference between them. The authors concluded the effect was probably a placebo response, though migraine duration and headache index improved more than in the usual-care control group. Chaibi A, et al. Eur J Neurol. 2017;24(1):143-53. PubMed 27696633
Neck pain (randomized trial, n=272). For acute and subacute neck pain, spinal manipulation was more effective than medication in the short and long term. Home exercise with advice produced similar results to manipulation at most time points. Bronfort G, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2012;156(1 Pt 1):1-10. PubMed 22213489
Several of these studies tested general chiropractic manipulation or other upper cervical methods (such as NUCCA), not Atlas Orthogonal specifically. Research on upper cervical care is growing, but many studies are small. We share both encouraging and neutral findings so you can make an informed decision.
Videos: See Upper Cervical Care in Action
Upper Cervical Care 101: the anatomy of the occiput, atlas, and axis explained (Dr. Larry Burks, The Upper Cervical Clinic).
Atlas Orthogonal Introduction: an overview of the Atlas Orthogonal approach.
Atlas Orthogonal Adjustment Under Fluoroscopy: watch the atlas respond to an instrument adjustment on live X-ray video.
What Our Patients Say
I struggle with chronic headaches. After seeing Dr. Kupper consistently, I have gone from headaches multiple times a week to maybe one or two a month! — Riley P.
REKUP gave me my life back!! I had chronic pain through out my whole body, migraines, my calfs, feet and hands were numb. I live a normal life now for 51 year old, and my future is looking great! — Tara D.
Every time I go into REKÜP, I am met with a 5-Star experience. From the massage with Julie, chiropractic care with Dr. John, ice bath, breathwork, and yoga - they have all been incredible! Highly recommend for all wellness needs — Madelyn B.
[PLACEHOLDER – Google Reviews: add a Google Reviews widget or more verbatim Google reviews here before publishing. Delete this line if not used.]
Individual experiences, not a guarantee of results.
Upper Cervical FAQ
Does an upper cervical adjustment hurt or crack my neck?
No twisting or cracking is involved. The correction is a light, quick impulse from a table-mounted instrument while you lie on your side. Many people barely feel it.
Why do you take X-rays before and after the adjustment?
Pre-adjustment X-rays let Dr. Kupper measure how the atlas sits relative to the skull and neck, so the instrument's angle and contact point can be set precisely. Post-adjustment X-rays help confirm the change. Imaging is used only when clinically appropriate.
Can upper cervical care help migraines or headaches?
Research suggests spinal manipulation can reduce cervicogenic (neck-related) headache days. Small studies of atlas-focused care in people with migraine are encouraging but not conclusive. We'll assess whether your headaches appear to have a neck component, and we'll refer you when another provider is a better fit.
How many visits will I need?
It varies. Upper cervical care aims for corrections that hold, so adjustments are given when re-checks show they're needed rather than on a fixed schedule. Dr. Kupper will discuss a plan after your evaluation.
Is upper cervical chiropractic safe?
Low-force instrument adjusting is generally well tolerated. In the studies cited above, adverse events were few and mild. Every new patient is screened first, and we refer out when symptoms suggest a condition that needs medical evaluation.
What should I expect after an adjustment?
Most people feel relaxed. Some notice changes right away, others gradually over days. Mild, temporary soreness is possible. We'll give you simple tips to help your correction hold.
Do you take insurance?
REKÜP Wellness is a cash-pay studio with transparent pricing and membership packages. We can provide receipts you may submit to your HSA/FSA or insurer where applicable.
Where are you located?
10694 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095, serving South Jordan, Daybreak, Riverton, Herriman, West Jordan, and the Salt Lake Valley.
Book Your Upper Cervical Evaluation
New to REKÜP? Schedule a New Patient Evaluation online. Your consent forms are done before you arrive.
REKÜP Wellness · 10694 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT 84095 · 385-313-8360 · rekupwellness@gmail.com · Mon–Fri 9:00am–5:00pm, Saturday by appointment
Medical disclaimer: This page is for general education and is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Upper cervical chiropractic is not a cure for any disease, and individual results vary. Research cited is summarized for convenience; please read the original studies. Do not stop or change prescribed medication without talking to your physician. Seek emergency care for sudden severe headache, weakness, numbness, slurred speech, vision changes, or loss of balance. Dr. Kupper will determine at your evaluation whether care is appropriate for you and refer you to other providers when indicated.
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