Neck and Back Pain

Neck and back pain can interfere with every part of daily life. At Rapid Chiro, we evaluate the entire spine—with a special focus on the upper cervical region—to determine what's contributing to your symptoms.

Understanding Neck & Back Pain

Neck and back pain are among the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. Whether your symptoms began after an injury or developed gradually over time, pain can make it difficult to work, sleep, exercise, or simply enjoy life.

While the pain may be felt in one area, the source of the problem isn't always where the symptoms are located.

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A human skeleton with muscles attached, shown from the back, with dashed and solid red lines indicating body alignment and tilt, set against a dark background.

Why We Start With the Upper Neck

The upper cervical spine is the foundation of the head and plays a critical role in overall spinal alignment. When the head isn't positioned well over the body, the rest of the spine often adapts to compensate.

Those compensations can place additional stress on the muscles, joints, ligaments, and discs throughout the neck, mid-back, and low back.

The upper cervical spine also surrounds the brainstem and contains one of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body. These receptors constantly provide the brain with information about posture, balance, and movement.

Rather than focusing only on where you hurt, we evaluate how your entire spine is functioning to determine whether dysfunction in the upper neck may be contributing to abnormal movement patterns throughout the body.

How we Evaluate

  • Two people sitting on a medical examination table in a room, looking at a document together. The woman has curly hair and is wearing a white sweater; the man has dark hair, a beard, and is wearing a black shirt. The room has a blue wall with medical posters and a TV screen.

    Consultation

    We take the time to understand your health history, symptoms, previous injuries, and your goals.

  • A woman undergoing an upper cervical x-ray procedure.

    Digital X-rays

    If indicated, specialized upper cervical X-rays allow us to evaluate the alignment of the upper neck with precision.

  • A woman with long blonde hair wearing a headband with sensors, performing functional neurology tests.

    NeckCare Functional Testing

    The neck contains some of the highest concentrations of sensory receptors in the body. We use NeckCare technology to objectively measure range of motion, joint position accuracy, and sensorimotor control. These tests help us understand how well your neck is functioning and provide measurable data we can track over time.

    You won’t find testing like this anywhere else in the Black Hills.

  • Dr. Kyle performing posture screen software to analyze a patient's posture.

    Posture Analysis

    Your posture provides valuable insight into how your body is adapting to gravity. Even small shifts in head and shoulder position can place additional stress on the muscles and joints of the neck.

    Using digital posture analysis, we objectively measure alignment rather than relying on visual observation alone. This gives us a baseline that we can compare throughout care.

Dr. Kyle making his pre adjustment measurements.

Why Precision Matters

No two people have the exact same anatomy, injury history, or movement patterns. That's why we don't believe every patient should receive the same adjustment.

Our goal is to gather as much objective information as possible before making a correction. Every step—from posture analysis and specialized X-rays to functional testing—is designed to help us determine whether an upper cervical correction is appropriate and, if so, exactly how to perform it.

Rather than relying on force, our approach emphasizes specificity. A precise correction is designed to work with your anatomy, not against it.

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  • Dr. Kyle and Dr. Riley did an amazing job! I had x-ray imaging and an adjustment done. I felt 10x better afterwards. Their practice is incredible. Very informative and helpful. 10/10 recommend!

    —Emma W.

  • If you haven't heard me telling about the results from Dr. Kyle's adjustments, it's only because we aren't friends yet! I've told everyone I know and most of the people I've just met! After only two treatments (painless, I might add), I have more mobility in my neck/shoulders than after years of appointments with someone else. Looking back... same treatments expecting different results. *SIGH!* Dr. Kyle has a totally different approach and I'm anxious to experience life after his plan of treatments. Yes. He sits down with you and lets you know what to expect.

    —Marilyn B.

  • I have been incredibly impressed since my very first visit. Dr. Kyle takes a completely different approach than any other chiropractor I’ve seen. As a NUCCA practitioner, his focus on the upper cervical spine is precise and effective. The extra testing he performed was eye-opening; it showed exactly what was going on with my health in a way no one else had caught. The images he got of my upper neck were crystal clear, and he explained every detail to me. I’m now in my 4th week and the results speak for themselves: I’m standing taller, my soreness is gone, and my symptoms have drastically decreased. I also really appreciate his patience with my questions—you can tell this is his passion and he truly cares. If you want a chiropractor who uses real data and specialized techniques, go see Dr. Kyle!

    Tyler W.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The body functions as one connected system. The upper cervical spine influences posture, balance, and how the rest of the spine adapts to gravity. Evaluating this region helps us understand whether it may be contributing to abnormal stress elsewhere in the body.

  • Our primary focus is the upper cervical spine because of its important relationship with the nervous system. However, we evaluate the entire spine and may recommend care for other regions when clinically appropriate.

  • Upper cervical chiropractic uses a gentle, precise approach that typically does not involve twisting or forceful rotation of the neck.

  • If clinically appropriate, specialized X-rays help us understand the unique alignment of your upper neck and guide care.

  • Your first visit is approximately one hour.

    During that time, we'll take the time to understand your health history, discuss your symptoms and goals, perform a detailed examination, evaluate your posture, and determine whether specialized upper cervical imaging is appropriate.

    Our goal isn't to rush you through an appointment—it's to gather the information needed to understand whether the upper cervical spine may be contributing to your condition and develop a personalized plan based on objective findings.

  • Not usually. Our first priority is understanding exactly what's going on. If additional imaging or testing is needed, we'll review those findings before making any recommendations. This approach allows us to provide care that's based on objective information rather than guesswork.

  • The cost of your initial visit depends on the specific examination procedures and testing the doctor determines are appropriate for your individual case. Every patient is different, and we tailor the evaluation based on your history, symptoms, and clinical findings.

    If you'd like to learn more about what your visit may include or receive an estimate based on your situation, our team would be happy to help. Please give our office a call, and we'll answer any questions you have before scheduling.

Get started today.

Schedule your NO COST CONSULTATION today!

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