11/07/2025
A Short History of Upper Cervical Chiropractic
The Beginning: B.J. Palmer and the Birth of Precision Chiropractic
Upper Cervical Chiropractic traces its roots to Dr. Bartlett Joshua (B.J.) Palmer, the son of
chiropractic’s founder, D.D. Palmer. Working from the famous Palmer School of Chiropractic in
Davenport, Iowa, B.J. took his father’s discovery and transformed it into a science of precision. By the
1930s, B.J. had focused his research on the top of the spine—the atlas (C1) and axis (C2)
vertebrae—believing that proper alignment at this critical area allowed the brain and body to
communicate without interference. He introduced specific X-ray analysis, neurocalorimetry, and
thermographic instrumentation to measure nerve function—tools that were decades ahead of their time.
To fund his research, B.J. used his fortune from WOC Radio (“Wonders of Chiropractic”), one of
America’s first radio stations. He invested heavily in early nerve research, developing objective ways to
measure the effects of spinal correction on the nervous system.
After 1961: The Rise of Modern Upper Cervical Techniques
Following B.J. Palmer’s death in 1961, several of his students and researchers carried his legacy
forward, refining and expanding his upper cervical work into distinct techniques. Each of these methods
shared the same foundation—precise, gentle, and specific corrections to the upper cervical spine—but
developed unique procedures for analysis and adjustment.
Grostic Technique
Developed by Dr. John F. Grostic, this system built upon B.J.’s atlas analysis, introducing precise
mathematical models and X-ray analysis to measure misalignments in fractions of degrees. Grostic’s
work emphasized accuracy, reproducibility, and minimal force, forming the groundwork for later
techniques like NUCCA and Atlas Orthogonal.
NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association)
Founded by Dr. Ralph Gregory, who studied with Grostic, NUCCA standardized the upper cervical
approach into a highly reproducible system of X-ray analysis and gentle manual correction. NUCCA
practitioners use mathematical vector analysis and postural measurements to restore balance to the
entire spine with one precise adjustment at the atlas.
Blair Technique
Developed by Dr. William Blair, this method uses customized, stereoscopic X-rays to identify unique
anatomical differences in each patient’s upper cervical joints. Adjustments are made using light,
tailored forces along the exact angle of misalignment—making the Blair method both patient-specific
and non-invasive.
Kale Upper Cervical / Knee Chest Technique
Dr. Ralph R. Kale revived and refined B.J. Palmer’s original Knee Chest Toggle Recoil approach,
bringing it into the modern era. The Kale technique emphasizes speed, specificity, and
timing—applying a quick, gentle thrust while the patient is positioned comfortably on a knee chest table.
Atlas Orthogonal (AO)
Dr. Roy Sweat, a student of Grostic, developed Atlas Orthogonal in the 1980s. AO combines Grostic’s
precision with instrument-based adjusting. Using a percussive, sound-wave instrument calibrated to
each patient’s specific X-ray measurements, AO delivers an extremely gentle yet highly accurate
correction—without twisting, popping, or cracking.
A Common Philosophy: Gentle, Specific, and Focused on the
Nervous System
All Upper Cervical techniques share one vital principle: when the atlas or axis is misaligned, it can
interfere with the brainstem and the body’s communication network. Correcting that interference allows
the body’s natural healing processes to work optimally. These techniques stand apart because they
are: - Specific: Adjustments are based on detailed imaging and analysis, not guesswork. - Gentle: No
forceful twisting or cracking—corrections are precise and comfortable. - Lasting: Once alignment is
restored, the goal is to help the body maintain it, not rely on constant adjustments.
