“Why adjust two bones when you can adjust them all?” I asked myself that question as a chiropractic student nearly 15 years ago, and many still ask that question today. To be fair, it is an appropriate question to ask when initially learning about options in chiropractic. Now, as president of the ICA’s Council on Upper Cervical Care, I understand at least a few possible answers to that question. I am writing to you today to give you my perspective on why upper cervical or craniocervical chiropractic procedures are certainly “on the move” more than they are “outdated.”
The International Chiropractors Association formed its Council on Upper Cervical Care in 2011. It was done because chiropractic leadership at the time saw the validity and diversity of the upper cervical groups and recognized the need for collaboration, research, and a postdoctorate diplomate program for chiropractors interested in the upper neck. Ten years later, the Council on Upper Cervical Care has graduated two diplomate classes, has a third class in process, and a fourth is set to start as early as 2022.
While there are many reasons the upper cervical diplomate program has flourished and upper cervical chiropractic is “on the move,” I will give you just a few:
1. Validity of mission and congruency of principle.
In short, the upper neck matters. We know this as a profession, and regardless of the procedure, maintaining the integrity of the craniocervical junction is a fundamental ingredient to overall health. From the early years of B.J. Palmer to the more recent research involving upright MRI studies, it has been validated that misalignment, instability, and chiropractic subluxation of the upper neck have potentially devastating effects on the brain and spine. For over 100 years, chiropractic has seen “miracle” recoveries, and during that time, I would suggest that a majority of those recoveries involved adjustments to the cervical spine. The stability of the craniocervical junction is vital, and chiropractors are uniquely positioned in the healthcare marketplace to manage the integrity of this area of the spine and body.
2. Inclusion. The old dogma of “my way or the highway,” “because B.J. said so,” or “adjust anything below C2 and you are excommunicado,” is moving on. The current generation of leadership in society is more about inclusion and tolerance. It has impacted the way upper cervical groups relate to one another. The Council on Upper Cervical Care has been the forum for differing upper cervical organizations to be able to communicate and expand their knowledge and influence. Prior to 2000, it was unheard of for a chiropractor of one technique to present at the conference of another. Those sorts of things are happening within the upper cervical world, and the result is greater advancements in research and results.
3.Research. With the appropriate forum and resources, professional connections are being made faster, and as a result, the research being done is more diverse and impactful than ever before. The upper cervical community has published research ranging from prospective studies involving multiple clinicians and techniques to in-depth assessments on the impact that upper cervical adjustments have on CSF flow and hemodynamics of the brain. Currently, and timely, a study on the impact chiropractic has on the immune system is close to publication.
So if upper cervical chiropractic is “on the move,” where is it going, and how can you get involved? Right now, the Council on Upper Cervical Care is focused on supporting the rights of our chiropractors to take radiographic imaging for patient care in British Columbia, Canada, as well as getting ready to start a new class of upper cervical diplomates. If you are interested in either of those initiatives, we would love to meet with you. Additionally, the Council on Upper Cervical Care has its annual conference coming up, which is an excellent place to learn the latest research and connect with top-notch adjusters from all over the world.
The ICA Annual Convention is April 7-9 at Sherman, members of the Upper Cervical Community are presenting as part of the Whole Person Health and Subluxation Chiropractic - The Science, Art, Philosophy, and Regulation Event.
The ICA Upper Cervical Council’s Annual Event for 2022 - The Forum will be taking place in June.
Ian Bulow, DC, DCCJP, President of the ICA Council on Upper Cervical Care is a 2008 graduate of Palmer College of Chiropractic and is certified as an advanced instructor in the Blair technique by the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society. Dr. Bulow is one of the first Diplomates in Craniocervical Junction Procedures and was valedictorian for the class of 2015. He has a passion for education and motivation and speaks regularly for chiropractic associations and to students at his alma mater. Dr. Bulow is in private practice in Cranberry Township in Pennsylvania. - He is a sought-after clinician, speaker, and educator within the chiropractic field.
