As December rolls around and you’re wrapping up projects, closing out budgets, and checking off your year-end to-do list, there’s one important thing that probably isn’t on that list—but should be: your health.
I know, I know. You’re busy. The holidays are coming, you’ve got family plans, work deadlines, shopping to finish. But here’s the thing—December is actually one of the best times of the year to take stock of how your body is really doing and address any issues before they follow you into the new year.
If you’ve been dealing with neck pain, headaches, or back discomfort for months now, you’re not alone. Most people spend the entire year pushing through pain and discomfort, always planning to “get it checked out later.” Well, it’s later. And your body has been sending you signals that it’s time to listen.
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What Happens When You Keep Putting It Off
Let me paint a familiar picture. That lower back pain that started sometime around spring? You got used to it. The shoulder tension that showed up during a particularly stressful period at work over the summer? You learned to live with it. The neck stiffness that’s been bothering you since fall? You’ve been meaning to do something about it, but life keeps getting in the way.
Here’s the problem with this approach: small issues don’t stay small. A minor misalignment in your upper cervical spine (the top two bones in your neck) that could have been corrected with a few precise adjustments becomes a chronic condition that requires much more extensive care. What starts as occasional muscle tension develops into a pattern of dysfunction that affects your posture, movement, and overall quality of life.
Your body is incredibly good at adapting—sometimes too good. When your atlas or axis (the top two vertebrae) is misaligned, your body compensates. It shifts weight, tightens muscles, and adjusts movement patterns to work around the problem. These compensatory patterns put stress on other parts of your spine and musculoskeletal system, creating a domino effect. Before you know it, one problem area has affected multiple regions of your body, and you’re dealing with complex, interconnected issues that are much harder to resolve.
Why December Makes Sense for Your Health Assessment
There are some really practical reasons why the end of the year is the ideal time to schedule a comprehensive upper cervical evaluation at Desoto Upper Cervical.
First, taking inventory of your health now means you can start the new year fresh, without dragging forward unresolved issues. Think of it like preventive maintenance for your body. You wouldn’t ignore that weird noise your car’s been making all year, right? Your body deserves at least that same level of attention.
Second, December actually offers a unique window in most people’s schedules. Yeah, it’s busy with holiday stuff, but many businesses slow down during the last couple weeks of the year. People take time off, meetings decrease, and there’s often more flexibility than during a typical workweek. This makes it easier to schedule appointments at our Southaven clinic and commit to a care plan without the usual scheduling headaches.
Third—and this is a big one—many people have health insurance benefits that reset at the end of the calendar year. If you’ve already met your deductible, or if you have unused funds in a flexible spending account (FSA) or health savings account (HSA), December is your last chance to use them. These benefits typically don’t roll over. If you don’t use them, you lose them. Why not invest in your spinal health and overall wellness while you have that financial advantage?
What Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer Look For in an Upper Cervical Assessment
A year-end upper cervical assessment at Desoto Upper Cervical goes way beyond just asking if your neck hurts. It’s a thorough evaluation of your upper cervical spine and how it’s affecting your entire nervous system.
Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer examine your posture, spinal alignment, range of motion, muscle balance, and neurological function to get a complete picture of what’s going on with your health. They’re specifically looking at the atlas and axis—those top two vertebrae that are responsible for about 50% of your head’s movement and that protect your brainstem.
Your posture tells a story about the stress patterns your body has developed over the year. Forward head posture from too much screen time, uneven shoulders from always carrying your bag on one side, or a tilted pelvis from sitting at a desk for hours—these postural issues aren’t just cosmetic. They create mechanical stress that leads to pain, reduced mobility, and accelerated wear and tear on your spine.
Range of motion testing identifies where you’ve lost flexibility or mobility. Maybe you can’t turn your neck as far to the right as you can to the left, or perhaps you’ve noticed it’s getting harder to check your blind spot when driving. These limitations aren’t just annoying—they’re signs that something in your upper cervical spine needs attention.
Using specialized diagnostic tools and imaging, Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer can identify exactly where your upper cervical misalignment is located and how severe it is. This precision is what makes Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology techniques so effective—the doctors know exactly what needs to be corrected and can make incredibly precise adjustments to fix it.
What’s Been Building Up All Year
Every season brings its own physical challenges, and by December, your body might be carrying the accumulated stress of twelve full months. Here are some patterns we see all the time at our Southaven clinic:
Technology-related problems. This is huge for most people. Hours spent hunched over computers, smartphones, and tablets create what we call “tech neck”—a forward head posture that puts enormous strain on your cervical spine. For every inch your head moves forward from its ideal position, you add about 10 pounds of stress to your neck muscles. Over months, this leads to muscle imbalances, headaches, upper back pain, and can even cause nerve compression that affects your arms and hands.
Seasonal activity changes. Maybe you were super active during summer but became increasingly sedentary as the weather cooled down. Or maybe you suddenly ramped up your activity level without proper preparation—jumping into fall sports or winter activities after months of doing very little. These shifts can create injuries and alignment issues that stick around if they’re not properly addressed.
Accumulated stress. Work deadlines, family responsibilities, financial pressures, and just the general pace of life all contribute to chronic muscle tension, particularly in the neck, shoulders, and upper back. This tension literally pulls your spine out of alignment and creates patterns of dysfunction that affect your entire body. And because the upper cervical spine houses the brainstem, misalignments here can affect how your whole body handles stress.
Why Taking Action Now Makes a Difference
Addressing these issues now, before they’ve had another year to develop and worsen, offers some real advantages.
Early intervention is almost always easier, faster, and more effective than waiting until problems become severe. A subluxation in your atlas that’s been there for a few weeks responds much better to correction than one that’s been there for years, where the surrounding tissues have adapted to the misalignment.
Taking action now also means you can actually enjoy the winter months ahead without unnecessary pain or limitation. Winter brings its own physical demands—shoveling snow, navigating icy parking lots, carrying heavy packages, traveling to visit family. When your upper cervical spine is properly aligned and your nervous system is functioning optimally, you’re better equipped to handle these challenges safely and comfortably.
Starting corrective care now also builds momentum. Rather than waiting until problems force you to seek help (which is how most people end up finding us), you’re taking control of your health proactively. This approach typically leads to better long-term outcomes because you’re addressing issues in their earlier stages when they’re more responsive to treatment.
Making the Most of Your Year-End Benefits
For many people in Southaven and the surrounding area, health insurance coverage and tax-advantaged health accounts make December an especially smart time financially to invest in upper cervical care.
If you’ve met your annual deductible, your out-of-pocket costs for the rest of the year may be significantly lower than they’ll be once your deductible resets in January. That’s a big deal.
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) are particularly time-sensitive. These accounts let you set aside pre-tax dollars for healthcare expenses, but in most cases, any unused funds expire at year-end. If you have money sitting in your FSA, using it for upper cervical care at Desoto Upper Cervical is an excellent investment in your health—money that would otherwise just disappear.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) work differently—funds do roll over from year to year—but December is still a great time to evaluate whether you should use some of these funds for care you need. Why carry forward health issues into the new year when you have the means to address them now?
Many insurance plans also have annual maximums for chiropractic visits. If you haven’t used your full allotment of covered visits, December is your opportunity to take advantage of these benefits before they reset. Our team at Desoto Upper Cervical is always happy to verify your specific benefits and help you understand how to maximize your coverage. Just give us a call at (662) 393-4848.
What to Expect During Your Assessment at Desoto Upper Cervical
If it’s been a while since you’ve had a chiropractic evaluation—or if you’ve never experienced upper cervical care before—you might wonder what the process involves.
When you come to our clinic at 1134 Church Rd W in Southaven, your comprehensive assessment typically begins with a detailed health history. Dr. Hall or Dr. Reistroffer will ask about any current symptoms, past injuries, your daily activities, work environment, exercise habits, and overall health goals. This information provides crucial context for understanding your body’s current state.
The physical examination includes postural analysis, where the doctor observes your body’s alignment from multiple angles. They’ll assess your spinal curves, shoulder height, hip level, and overall body symmetry. Range of motion testing evaluates how well your spine and joints move through their normal patterns, identifying any restrictions or asymmetries.
Orthopedic and neurological testing may be performed to assess nerve function, muscle strength, reflexes, and sensation. These tests help identify any nerve interference that could be affecting your health—and remember, even small misalignments in the upper cervical spine can cause significant nerve interference because of the brainstem’s location.
Specialized imaging is typically used to get a precise picture of your upper cervical spine. These images provide valuable information that helps Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer create the most effective treatment plan using Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology techniques.
After your assessment, your doctor will sit down with you to review all the findings, explain what they mean in plain English, and discuss recommended treatment options. This is your chance to ask questions, express concerns, and work together to develop a care plan that fits your needs, schedule, and health goals.
Your Personalized Upper Cervical Care Plan
Based on your assessment findings, Dr. Hall or Dr. Reistroffer will develop a treatment plan designed specifically for you. This isn’t cookie-cutter care—your plan is built around your unique situation, your specific problems, and your individual goals.
For some people, a few precise upper cervical adjustments may be all that’s needed to correct minor misalignments and restore proper function. For others dealing with chronic conditions or more complex issues, a comprehensive plan involving regular visits over several weeks or months may be recommended. Your doctor will explain their recommendations, why they’re suggesting this approach, and what you can expect in terms of timeline and outcomes.
Many care plans also include complementary elements like specific stretches, strengthening exercises, ergonomic modifications for your workspace, or lifestyle recommendations. These additional pieces support your adjustments and help your body maintain the corrections between visits. Your active participation—following through with home exercises and implementing recommended changes—significantly improves your results.
Beyond Pain Relief: The Bigger Picture
While most people come to Desoto Upper Cervical because something hurts, the benefits of upper cervical care extend far beyond just feeling better. When your nervous system is functioning optimally and your upper cervical spine is properly aligned, your entire body works more efficiently.
Our patients often report improvements they didn’t even expect—better sleep quality, increased energy levels, improved immune function, better digestion, and an overall greater sense of wellbeing. These aren’t random side effects; they’re the result of removing interference from your nervous system at the level of the brainstem.
If you’re athletic or just want to move through daily activities with greater ease, proper upper cervical alignment enhances your body’s biomechanics. This means better coordination, increased strength, improved flexibility, and reduced injury risk.
Mental clarity and stress management also improve with regular upper cervical care. The nervous system plays a central role in how your body responds to stress, and when interference is removed through precise adjustments, many people find they handle stress more effectively. The body’s relaxation response is directly connected to proper nervous system function.
Ready to Take the First Step?
The end of the year represents more than just flipping a calendar page—it’s an opportunity to reflect on how you’ve been treating your body and make a commitment to better care moving forward. You’ve spent the last twelve months relying on your spine to support you through everything life has thrown your way. Doesn’t it deserve some attention in return?
The wonderful thing about upper cervical care is that it’s never too late to start addressing problems, but it’s always better to start sooner rather than later. Whether you’re dealing with obvious pain and discomfort or you simply want to ensure your body is functioning at its best, a year-end upper cervical assessment at Desoto Upper Cervical is a wise investment in your health.
Don’t let another year pass by while carrying pain, limitation, or dysfunction that could be corrected. Don’t allow health insurance benefits to expire unused when they could be helping you feel better. Most importantly, don’t underestimate your body’s ability to heal and function properly when given the right support through precise upper cervical care.
Call Desoto Upper Cervical today at (662) 393-4848 to schedule your year-end assessment with Dr. Hall or Dr. Reistroffer. We’re located at 1134 Church Rd W, Southaven, MS 38671, and we’re ready to help you finish the year strong and enter the months ahead with a body that’s aligned, balanced, and functioning at its best. Take advantage of your remaining health benefits and give yourself the gift of better health. Your body has been asking for attention—it’s time to listen.
Common Questions About Year-End Upper Cervical Assessments
I haven’t seen a chiropractor in years. Is it too late to fix problems that have been developing?
It’s never too late to seek upper cervical care. While chronic conditions that have been present for years may take longer to correct than acute issues, your body retains the ability to heal and adapt at any age. Even long-standing problems can be significantly improved with appropriate care. Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer have helped many patients who thought they’d just have to “live with it.” The sooner you start, the sooner you’ll experience relief.
How do I know if I need upper cervical care if I’m not in severe pain?
This is such an important question. Pain is often the last symptom to appear and the first to disappear—it’s really not the best indicator of whether you need care. Many upper cervical misalignments exist without causing obvious pain, at least not initially. Subtle signs like reduced flexibility, recurring minor aches, poor posture, fatigue, frequent headaches, brain fog, or simply not feeling like your body is working optimally are all reasons to schedule an assessment. Remember, your upper cervical spine affects your entire nervous system, so symptoms can show up in unexpected ways.
Will my insurance cover an upper cervical assessment and treatment?
Most health insurance plans include some chiropractic coverage, though the extent varies by plan. Many plans cover preventive wellness care as well as treatment for specific conditions. Our office staff can verify your benefits, explain your coverage, and help you understand any out-of-pocket costs before you begin care. We’re committed to making care accessible and affordable. Just call us at (662) 393-4848 and we’ll check your benefits for you.
How long does a typical assessment appointment take?
A comprehensive initial assessment at Desoto Upper Cervical usually takes about 45-60 minutes. This includes time for health history discussion, physical examination, any necessary imaging, review of findings, and treatment planning. Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer take the time to really understand what’s going on with your health—they won’t rush you through. Follow-up adjustment appointments are typically shorter, usually 15-30 minutes depending on what you need.
If I start care now in December, will I have to continue indefinitely?
Not at all. Upper cervical care is customized to your needs and goals. Some people need only a short course of care to address a specific issue and get their body back on track. Others benefit from ongoing wellness care to maintain optimal function—it’s really up to you and how your body responds. After your initial treatment phase, you and your doctor will discuss options for maintaining your progress, which might include periodic check-ups or self-care strategies. You’re always in control of your care decisions.
Can I use my FSA or HSA funds for upper cervical care?
Absolutely! Upper cervical chiropractic care is a qualified medical expense for both FSA and HSA accounts. If you have unused FSA funds that will expire at year-end, using them for care at Desoto Upper Cervical is an excellent way to invest in your health while taking advantage of these tax-advantaged dollars. Bring your FSA or HSA card to your appointment at our Southaven location, or we can provide documentation for reimbursement if your plan requires it.
What makes upper cervical care different from regular chiropractic?
Great question! Upper cervical care, like what we provide at Desoto Upper Cervical, focuses specifically on the top two bones in your neck (the atlas and axis) and their relationship to the brainstem. The adjustments are incredibly precise and gentle—no twisting, cracking, or popping. Dr. Hall and Dr. Reistroffer use specialized techniques called Atlas Orthogonal and Orthospinology that are based on precise measurements and imaging. This allows them to make very specific corrections that address the root cause of many health issues. Many patients find it more comfortable and effective than traditional chiropractic because it addresses problems at their source rather than just treating symptoms.
