Is Chiropractic Just Pseudoscience? How Thermography Makes Upper Cervical Care Scientific
If you’re skeptical about chiropractic, I get it.
You might think it’s all about cracking backs based on feel rather than fact. You might have heard people say chiropractic isn’t “real” healthcare or that there’s no way to measure whether it’s actually doing anything.
But upper cervical chiropractic is different.
It’s precise. It’s measurable. And it’s backed by scientific principles and advanced instrumentation—like thermography.
Let’s break it down.
What Is Thermography, and Why Does It Matter?
Thermography is a non-invasive imaging technology that measures temperature differences on the surface of the skin. This might not sound groundbreaking at first, but here’s why it matters:
Your autonomic nervous system controls blood flow to the skin. When your nervous system is working properly, the blood vessels on either side of your spine maintain balanced, symmetrical temperatures. But when something disrupts nervous system function—like a misalignment in the upper cervical spine—it can cause abnormal temperature patterns.
Infrared thermography detects these temperature changes in real time, providing objective evidence of nervous system dysfunction.
In other words, it allows chiropractors to see what’s happening inside your body without guessing.
Why Most People Are Skeptical of Chiropractic
Many people have had one of two experiences with chiropractic that left them skeptical:
- They went to a chiropractor who adjusted them at every visit, no matter how they felt.
- They’ve heard that chiropractic care lacks scientific validation or relies on subjective assessments.
And honestly? That skepticism is understandable.
Most chiropractic offices rely on symptom-based adjustments—meaning if your back hurts, they adjust it. If your neck is stiff, they adjust it. But they aren’t necessarily measuring whether your nervous system actually needs an adjustment.
That’s what makes upper cervical chiropractic different—we measure, rather than guess.
How Upper Cervical Chiropractors Use Thermography
Instead of adjusting patients at every visit, upper cervical chiropractors use thermography to track nervous system function.
Here’s how it works:
- Before an adjustment, we take a thermographic scan of the spine to look for temperature asymmetries. These readings help us determine if there’s neurological interference that needs correction.
- If the scan shows dysfunction, we adjust. If not, we don’t. We don’t just adjust for the sake of adjusting.
- After the adjustment, we take another thermographic scan to see if nervous system function has improved.
This means:
- If your nervous system is functioning normally, we don’t touch it.
- If your nervous system is compromised, we correct it.
- We track measurable improvements over time, not just rely on how you feel.
This isn’t guesswork or philosophy—it’s data-driven healthcare.
What Thermography Tells Us About Your Health
Many people come to my office frustrated because their MRI scans, CT scans, and bloodwork all come back “normal,” yet they still feel terrible.
Traditional imaging focuses on structural problems—broken bones, tumors, herniated discs. But what if your issue isn’t structural?
What if it’s functional—something that isn’t visible on an MRI but is affecting how your nervous system communicates with the rest of your body?
That’s where thermography comes in.
Thermography helps detect functional nervous system problems that other imaging methods miss.
If the nervous system isn’t functioning properly, the body can’t heal properly—leading to chronic pain, migraines, dizziness, fatigue, and other frustrating conditions.
Why Don’t All Chiropractors Use Thermography?
If thermography makes chiropractic more scientific and measurable, why doesn’t every chiropractor use it?
Simple: It requires a completely different approach to patient care.
Using thermography means:
- Chiropractors can’t just adjust every visit. They have to check the scan first.
- They need specialized equipment, including high-resolution infrared scanners.
- They must educate patients on why they won’t always be adjusted.
Many chiropractors prefer to adjust based on symptoms rather than neurological measurements. But upper cervical chiropractors rely on data, ensuring that adjustments are both precise and necessary.
If You’re Skeptical, Here’s What I Challenge You to Do
If you’re skeptical of chiropractic, I respect that. In fact, I think skepticism is healthy—it means you want real answers, not just quick fixes.
Here’s my challenge to you:
- Look beyond symptoms. If you’ve been chasing treatments that only provide temporary relief, it’s time to assess your nervous system function.
- Ask questions. If you’re wondering whether your health issues could be linked to an upper cervical misalignment, let’s have a conversation.
- Try an objective approach. In my office, we don’t guess. We measure. If the scans show nervous system dysfunction, we address it. If they don’t, we don’t adjust.
Chiropractic isn’t about belief—it’s about physiology, neurology, and measurable function.
And if your nervous system isn’t functioning properly, your body won’t heal properly—no matter how many medications, therapies, or treatments you try.
Final Thoughts
Skepticism is good. It means you’re looking for proof before you trust a treatment.
Upper cervical chiropractic, guided by thermography, provides that proof. It allows us to see real, measurable dysfunction in the nervous system and track progress over time.
If you’ve been searching for something more than symptom management, if you’ve tried everything and still don’t feel like yourself, I invite you to look at your health through a different lens.
Not through guesswork. Through measurement.
Let’s see what your nervous system is telling us.