How the Upper Cervical Spine and Brainstem Support Your Nervous System

Your nervous system is constantly at work, whether you’re moving, breathing, digesting a meal, responding to stress, or drifting off to sleep. It’s the control system behind nearly everything your body does, yet most people only think about it when something doesn’t feel right.

However, what many don’t realize is that your nervous system isn’t just one system. It’s actually made up of three interconnected networks, all of which rely on one critical structure to work together smoothly: the brainstem and the upper cervical spine.

Understanding this connection can help explain why issues in the upper neck may affect far more than just neck pain.

Your Nervous System Runs More Than You Think

Most people think of the nervous system as something that controls movement or sensation. But in reality, it plays a role in nearly every process that keeps your body balanced, responsive, and functioning day to day. From how you move and feel to how you rest and recover, your nervous system is constantly working behind the scenes.

 Your nervous system influences:

• Movement and coordination

• Sensation and balance

• Healing and immune responses

• Digestion and sleep

• Stress regulation and energy levels

To manage all of this, your body uses three main divisions of the nervous system:

• The Central Nervous System (CNS)

• The Peripheral Nervous System (PNS)

• The Autonomic Nervous System (ANS)

Each system has a distinct role to play, but they all converge at one highly sensitive junction: the brainstem, located just above the top two vertebrae of your neck (C1 and C2).

The Central Nervous System: Your Body’s Command Center

The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord. It processes information, coordinates movement, and sends instructions throughout the body.

At the base of the brain lies the brainstem, which serves as the primary communication gateway between the brain and the rest of the body. Nearly all sensory and motor signals must pass through this area.

Here’s why this matters:

The brainstem passes through an opening in the skull called the foramen magnum and transitions directly into the spinal cord at the level of C1 and C2. Because of this close relationship, structural tension or misalignment in the upper cervical spine may affect the efficiency with which signals pass through this region.

The Peripheral Nervous System: The Communication Network

The peripheral nervous system consists of all the nerves that branch off from the spinal cord and extend into your arms, legs, torso, and organs.

This system is responsible for:

• Movement and muscle activation

• Sensation and pain signals

• Reflexes and coordination

When there is irritation or altered signaling near the brainstem or upper spinal cord, it can affect how information is sent and received through these peripheral nerves. This helps explain why symptoms such as numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, radiating pain, or balance challenges may show up even when the original issue begins at the top of the spine.

The Autonomic Nervous System: Your Body’s Automatic Pilot

The autonomic nervous system manages the functions you don’t consciously control. It’s divided into two main branches, the sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) and the parasympathetic nervous system (rest, digest, and heal). Together, they regulate:

• Heart rate

• Breathing rhythm

• Blood pressure

• Digestion

• Stress responses

• Pupil reflexes

Several major autonomic nerves, including the vagus nerve, exit near the upper cervical spine. When the atlas (C1) is misaligned, it may create mechanical tension or altered sensory feedback that influences autonomic balance.

This is one reason upper cervical chiropractic patients often report improvements in:

• Sleep quality

• Stress tolerance

• Digestive comfort

• Energy levels

• Heart rate variability

The Brainstem: Where All Three Systems Meet

The brainstem is one of the most neurologically dense tissues in the body. It coordinates:

• Movement and posture

• Breathing and swallowing

• Balance and coordination

• Autonomic regulation

It is suspended within the skull and supported by the upper cervical spine. Because this area is so sensitive, even subtle changes in alignment at C1 or C2 may influence:

• Mechanical tension

• Cerebrospinal fluid dynamics

• Neural signaling efficiency

When this happens, all three divisions of the nervous system can be affected at once. This is the clinical foundation of upper cervical chiropractic care.

How Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care Supports Nervous System Function

Upper cervical chiropractic focuses on restoring precise alignment at the top of the spine to support normal neurological function—without twisting.

At Atlas Specific, our process includes:

• Detailed imaging and measurements

• Precise, individualized analysis

• Gentle, non-invasive corrections

• Post-correction validation

By supporting proper structural alignment and improving proprioceptive balance, upper cervical care helps the body better understand where it is in space. This, in turn, supports normal fluid dynamics, clearer neural communication, and more efficient postural integration, thereby creating an environment in which the nervous system can function as intended. A system this sensitive deserves precision.

Real-World Patterns We Often Observe

While outcomes vary and no results are guaranteed, many patients report changes such as:

• Reduced morning head pressure or chronic headaches

• Feeling calmer or more regulated under stress

• Improved digestion or sleep quality

• Decreased neck pain with improved arm sensation

• Better energy and focus throughout the day

These patterns help reinforce how closely the nervous system and upper cervical spine are connected.

Three Systems, One Structural Influence Worth Understanding

The central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems may have different roles, but they all converge at the brainstem. That brainstem is protected—and influenced—by the upper cervical spine. When this area is aligned and functioning well, the nervous system can operate more smoothly. When it isn’t, symptoms may appear in many different areas of the body. If you’ve been experiencing chronic neurological, postural, or autonomic symptoms and haven’t found clear answers, an upper cervical evaluation may provide helpful insight. 

As your Durango chiropractor, Atlas Specific specializes in gentle, precision-based upper cervical care. Contact us today by clicking the link below, calling us at 970.259.6803, or stopping by our Durango office.  We look forward to being part of your healing journey.

Notice of Disclaimer:

We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are not necessarily your doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reading or interacting with this site does not establish a doctor-patient relationship. Always consult a qualified professional regarding your specific health needs.