FAQs

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses specifically on the relationship between the top bones of the neck — the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — and the nervous system.

These unique vertebrae help:

• Support the weight of the head
• Protect the vital brainstem
• Regulate head movement and orientation
• Influence overall balance, posture, and spinal alignment

Because of their unique anatomy, even tiny, millimeter-sized shifts in this area can disrupt neurological communication and throw the entire body out of alignment.

Traditional chiropractic often involves manual twisting, popping, or cracking of multiple areas throughout the spine.

At Rumsey Spinal Care, Dr. Anthony Rumsey utilizes the NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) technique. This specialized approach focuses strictly on the precise correction of the upper neck using:

• Objective, 3D digital X-ray measurements
• Extremely gentle, low-force corrections (no twisting or cracking)
• Mathematical structural analysis
• Individualized care plans

Many patients searching for a gentle chiropractor in Anchorage, AK are drawn to NUCCA because the adjustment involves absolutely minimal force—often feeling like a light touch behind the ear—making it incredibly safe and comfortable.

Dr. Anthony Rumsey proudly provides specialized upper cervical care to patients across Anchorage and surrounding communities. Our patients frequently travel from:

• Midtown Anchorage
• Sand Lake
• Spenard
• Abbott Loop
• Campbell Park
• Huffman / O’Malley
• Bayshore-Klatt
• Hillside
• Dimond Area
• South Addition

Whether you are looking for an Anchorage chiropractor for chronic migraines, vertigo, neck pain, or TMJ discomfort, our office is centrally located to serve Southcentral Alaska.

Every patient’s spine and health history are completely unique. The best way to determine whether our NUCCA approach can help you is through a thorough consultation, posture evaluation, and examination. Dr. Anthony Rumsey creates tailored recommendations based on your specific symptoms, spinal measurements, health goals, and comfort level.

A first visit at Rumsey Spinal Care typically includes:

• A detailed review of your health history and lifestyle
• An in-depth discussion of your current symptoms
• A specialized posture and spinal alignment evaluation
• Precision imaging/X-rays (if indicated) to measure your exact misalignment

Our primary goal is to identify the root structural cause of your symptoms before any care begins.

This depends entirely on your specific condition and our examination findings. Because NUCCA adjustments rely on precise mathematical measurements calculated from your imaging, Dr. Rumsey typically analyzes your metrics thoroughly before performing your first alignment to ensure the highest level of accuracy and safety.

No, a medical referral is typically not required to seek care at our office. Patients can contact Rumsey Spinal Care directly to schedule an initial consultation.

Patients commonly visit Dr. Rumsey for symptoms and conditions such as:

• Chronic migraines and tension headaches
• Vertigo, dizziness, and balance issues
• Neck pain and stiffness
• Lower back pain and sciatica
• TMJ/jaw discomfort
• Fibromyalgia-related tension and pain
• Poor posture or a “forward head” carriage
• Lingering pain after car accidents, whiplash, or sports injuries

Many of our patients come to us after spending years trying temporary fixes or medications that only mask symptoms without addressing the underlying structural stress on the nervous system.

Insurance coverage for chiropractic care varies greatly depending on your specific provider, plan, and benefits. Because every policy is different, the best way to determine your coverage is to contact Rumsey Spinal Care directly. Our office team is happy to help verify your insurance benefits and answer financial questions prior to your appointment.

Yes. Many migraines have a direct connection to dysfunction and structural misalignment in the upper neck.

Because the C1 surrounds the brainstem, a misalignment (known as a subluxation) can cause structural stress, restrict proper blood flow to the brain, and irritate nerve pathways. 

This neurological irritation is a common trigger for severe migraine symptoms. Dr. Anthony Rumsey evaluates the upper cervical spine to determine if structural imbalances are the underlying trigger for your chronic headaches or migraines.

Headaches and migraines are distinct experiences:

• Standard Headaches: Typically involve dull pressure, aching, or tightness around the forehead, temples, or back of the neck.
• Migraines: Are complex neurological events. They often include throbbing pain (frequently on one side) accompanied by nausea, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, dizziness, visual disturbances (auras), and intense fatigue.

Absolutely. Tight muscles, restricted joints, and poor spinal mechanics place continuous stress on the cervical nerves. Modern lifestyle habits—such as prolonged desk work, long commutes, looking down at smartphones (“tech neck”), and poor sleep posture—dramatically increase tension in the upper neck, frequently triggering migraine flare-ups.

Many Alaskans report severe migraines beginning after a slip-on-ice fall, sports injury, or a car accident. Even low-speed fender benders can cause whiplash, tearing the supporting ligaments and forcing the upper cervical spine out of its proper alignment.

Symptoms can surface immediately or develop gradually months—or even years—after the initial trauma. Dr. Rumsey evaluates spinal mechanics to correct these lingering injury patterns.

Certain forms of vertigo and dizziness are classified as cervicogenic, meaning they originate from a problem in the neck. The upper cervical spine is packed with specialized nerve receptors (proprioceptors) that send continuous signals to the brain regarding head position and balance.

When the atlas or axis is misaligned, these signals conflict with what your eyes and inner ears are seeing, resulting in dizziness, motion sensitivity, or spinning sensations. Correcting the alignment via NUCCA can restore proper communication and alleviate these sensations.

Vertigo is the false sensation that you or your surroundings are spinning, tilting, or moving when you are actually perfectly still. Common symptoms include balance problems, nausea, motion sickness, difficulty visually focusing, and unsteadiness while walking.

Cervicogenic dizziness refers specifically to spatial disorientation and dizziness caused by abnormal nerve signals from the neck. Because the upper neck regulates spatial awareness, structural distortions here cause the brain to misinterpret your body’s movement. This is why many patients with unresolved dizziness seek out a specialized upper cervical chiropractor.

Recurring neck pain usually indicates that the underlying structural issue hasn’t been resolved. While massage or heat may temporarily soothe a tight muscle, factors like old injuries, repetitive strain, and a misaligned atlas place continuous mechanical stress on your neck muscles, forcing them to stay tight to protect the spine. Dr. Rumsey looks at the macro-alignment of your spine to find out why those muscles keep locking up.

Yes. Radiating pain, numbness, tingling, or burning sensations traveling down into your shoulders, shoulder blades, or arms often stem from nerve irritation in the cervical spine. By restoring proper alignment and joint mechanics to the neck, NUCCA care helps reduce the mechanical pressure and inflammation surrounding these nerves.

Not at all. NUCCA adjustments are incredibly gentle, highly controlled, and completely non-invasive. Because Dr. Rumsey uses precise mathematical angles tailored to your specific X-rays, it takes very little physical force to guide the atlas back into place. 

It surprises many patients to learn that upper neck care can relieve lower back pain. Your body always attempts to keep your eyes level with the horizon. If your upper neck is tilted or misaligned, the brain compensates by dropping a shoulder and twisting the hips to balance the weight of your head.

This creates a functional short leg, pelvic tilting, and severe muscular imbalances in the lower back, often leading to chronic lower back pain or sciatic nerve irritation. By leveling the head and atlas via NUCCA, the rest of the spine relaxes and realigns naturally, relieving stress on the lower back.

While chiropractic care is not a cure for fibromyalgia, NUCCA care is an excellent supportive option. Fibromyalgia involves central sensitization—where the nervous system is in a constant state of high alert, amplifying pain signals. By removing structural interference at the brainstem level, upper cervical care can help soothe an overactive nervous system, reduce widespread muscular tension, and improve overall mobility and sleep quality.

Fibromyalgia is believed to involve altered pain processing within the nervous system.

This can make normal pressure, stress, or movement feel amplified.

Because of this, chiropractic care for fibromyalgia patients is often approached carefully and gently.

Yes. The jaw (temporomandibular joint), the skull, and the upper cervical spine are intimately linked. The nerves that control the muscles of the jaw and face pass directly near the upper neck. Furthermore, if the upper neck is misaligned, it alters your head posture, pulling on the muscles that control jaw movement and causing clicking, popping, jaw pain, and uneven wear on the joint.

Addressing the cervical spine mechanics with Dr. Anthony Rumsey frequently helps reduce the structural stress contributing to chronic TMJ discomfort.