When medical imaging says you are healed but your head pressure, brain fog, and dizziness persist, the upper cervical spine may be the missing link.
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if a person develops a worsening headache that does not go away, repeated vomiting, convulsions or seizures, increasing confusion or unusual behavior, slurred speech, weakness or numbness, decreased coordination, inability to wake or remain awake, one pupil larger than the other, double vision, loss of consciousness, or an inability to recognize people or places.
Do not schedule a chiropractic appointment in place of emergency medical evaluation.
You completed the initial medical protocol, rested in dark rooms, and were cleared to return to daily life. Yet weeks or months later, you still struggle with headaches, dizziness, neck stiffness, and persistent brain fog. You feel like you are working twice as hard just to get through a normal day, wondering if you will ever truly feel like yourself again.
The Biomechanical Reality: Concussions rarely happen in isolation. The mechanical force required to cause a concussion almost always impacts the cervical spine. When the top vertebrae (Atlas and Axis) shift out of alignment, they can compromise venous drainage, disrupt cerebrospinal fluid flow, and irritate the brainstem—prolonging symptoms long after the brain tissue itself has stabilized.
Hope Southlake does not treat brain injuries directly. Instead, Dr. Kramer evaluates whether an accompanying upper cervical misalignment is placing mechanical and neurological stress on the brainstem and cranial pathways. By correcting this structural relationship with gentle, non-twisting adjustments, we help restore the body’s natural environment for recovery.
The cranio-cervical junction (where the skull meets the Atlas and Axis vertebrae) is the primary structural crossroads of the central nervous system. When misalignment occurs here, it can create mechanical traction on the brainstem, impede venous drainage, and disturb autonomic balance. Hope Southlake uses calculated 3D digital imaging to gently reposition these vertebrae without any twisting, popping, or cracking.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to move rapidly back and forth within the skull.
Read Condition Resource →Diagnosed ConditionCommonly known as Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS), this condition describes a complex constellation of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms that persist beyond the typical 7-to-14-day recovery window.
Read Condition Resource →Diagnosed ConditionWhiplash-Associated Disorder (WAD) describes the spectrum of neck-related symptoms following rapid acceleration and deceleration forces, commonly from motor vehicle collisions, sports impacts, or falls.
Read Condition Resource →Diagnosed ConditionTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) results from an external mechanical force causing brain dysfunction, categorized clinically as mild (concussion), moderate, or severe based on Glasgow Coma Scale scores.
Read Condition Resource →Diagnosed ConditionTraumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is an acquired injury caused by sudden physical damage to the brain. While medical stabilization is paramount, lingering functional deficits often involve secondary cervical dysfunction.
Read Condition Resource →You completed your initial medical rest, stayed off screens, and were told your brain has recovered. Yet weeks or months later, you know deep down you are not yourself. You feel fatigued by midday, your head feels heavy and tight, and everyday tasks require double the mental effort.
Explore This Symptom →Symptom SearchSince your car accident, you wake up with a dull ache at the back of your head that spreads into your temples. Sudden movements make you dizzy or off-balance, and riding in a car makes you nauseous.
Explore This Symptom →Symptom SearchYour thoughts feel slow, searching for words is frustrating, and reading more than a few pages leaves you exhausted. It feels like a thick haze sits between you and the rest of the world.
Explore This Symptom →Symptom SearchYour neck feels tight, sore, and locked up ever since your head injury. Turning your head triggers a catching pain, and the base of your skull feels constantly bruised or tender to the touch.
Explore This Symptom →Symptom SearchYou were told concussions heal in two weeks. But you are at month three, six, or twelve, and you are still struggling with daily headaches, light sensitivity, and exhaustion.
Explore This Symptom →
After suffering from multiple concussions, a serious back injury, and finding no answers in the traditional medical system, Dr. Kramer discovered upper cervical care. This personal journey fueled his passion for bringing precise, individualized care to the Southlake community.
"We understand how discouraging it is to keep searching for answers and still not feel like yourself. You deserve clarity and a precise path forward."
Advanced testing and examination help determine if upper cervical care is right for you.
Start restoring nervous system function and getting your life back.
What does life look like when your nervous system is finally in balance and your symptoms no longer control your calendar?
Wake up without debilitating head pressure or dizziness
Keep commitments to work, family, and social plans
Achieve deep, restorative sleep that recharges your energy
Reduce dependency on endless prescription rescue medications
Don't just take our word for it.
"Dr Kramer was my answer to constant, severe headaches which were caused by my neck. He identified the issue, and got things working properly again. The relief has been incredible. I'm so grateful."
- Stephanie Kabat
"I came in to this office very afraid for my future, because the symptoms I was having were debilitating. After completing my recommended course of initial treatment, I am excited about the future again. Dr Kramer is incredibly knowledgeable."
- Jessica Gilbert
"Dr. Kramer is wonderful. Takes time to listen to your story and comes up with a treatment plan just for you. Patient specialized care that is evidence based. His treatment has helped me tremendously with symptoms others could not change or even bothered to address. Highly recommend his skilled approach."
- Elizabeth Rose
Hope Upper Cervical Spine Center
500 N Carroll Ave Suite 110
Southlake, TX 76092
Phone: (972) 638-0994
Standard CT scans and MRIs are designed to detect acute emergencies like hemorrhages, fractures, or brain bleeds. They do not evaluate subtle biomechanical misalignments of the upper cervical vertebrae that can alter blood flow, cerebrospinal fluid drainage, and autonomic nervous system signaling.
We use high-precision 3D digital imaging to calculate the exact degree of cervical misalignment down to fractions of a degree. We do not perform any rotational twisting, popping, or cracking of the neck, making our procedures exceptionally safe and comfortable for sensitive neurological patients.
Care should only be considered after you have received full medical evaluation from an emergency physician, neurologist, or primary care doctor and have been determined to be medically stable.
Hope Southlake does not provide emergency medical services or diagnose, treat, reverse or cure traumatic brain injury. Upper cervical chiropractic care is not a substitute for evaluation or treatment by an emergency physician, neurologist, neurosurgeon, rehabilitation specialist or other qualified medical professional.
Anyone with a new or suspected head injury should seek prompt medical evaluation before considering chiropractic care. Patients with a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury should receive and continue medically directed neurological and rehabilitative care. Upper cervical care may be considered only after the patient is medically stable and when the appropriate treating medical professionals have not identified a contraindication.
When clinically appropriate, upper cervical care may serve as an adjunctive form of care by evaluating whether an accompanying cervical or upper cervical condition may be contributing to certain symptoms. It should not be represented as treatment for the underlying brain injury. Individual responses and outcomes vary, and no specific result is promised or guaranteed.
Do not stop, delay or change medical treatment, rehabilitation or prescribed medication based on information presented on this website. Always consult the appropriate qualified healthcare professional regarding a traumatic brain injury, continuing symptoms and treatment decisions.
Take the first step toward lasting relief and neurological stability. Schedule your consultation with Hope Southlake today.
Upper cervical care is adjunctive and does not replace medical, neurological or emergency care for traumatic brain injury.
