The Upper Cervical Club Curriculum |
The goal of the Upper Cervical Club is to educate, empower and inspire students to reach their full potential as leaders in the Upper Cervical profession and provide tools and resources to prepare them for the future.
The Upper Cervical Club provides a very specific, planned out curriculum, supporting presentations and marketing materials to implement organized meetings throughout the course of a year. The Upper Cervical Club is a component of Healthy ChiroPractice which provides resources to doctors to help them succeed in practice. |
Class #1 - History of Upper CervicalThe History of Upper Cervical class is significant because it is hard to understand where we are headed without first understanding where we came from. This class will cover a detailed history of all the major breakthroughs of Upper Cervical care from BJ’s work with Dr. Mayo’s wife to Gregory’s pursuit of a complete orthogonal correction. Upper Cervical care has a proud history and we will celebrate it by learning about many of the exciting events in our storied past.
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Class #2 - Introduction to Upper Cervical TechniquesThe Introduction to Upper Cervical Techniques class will help to educate students with a thirst for knowledge about the different techniques. A focus on philosophy and upper cervical theory will guide this class. We will also discuss some of the similarities and differences between the articular based techniques vs the orthogonal centered ones. Our strength is in our commonalities and our variations help to shape our specialties.
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Class #3 - Research & Case StudiesThis week’s curriculum is designed as a review of the newest research regarding upper cervical care available. It is designed to highlight the work of practitioners who are now starting to be able to demonstrate the physiology behind the upper cervical subluxation and how upper cervical techniques are able to restore appropriate function.
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Class #4 - Instrumentation, Tools, Tables, ProtocolDifferent instruments, tables and/or devices are used for different upper cervical techniques. Study the array of tools for determining if a patient is holding their adjustment, or if they need to be corrected. Adjusting tables and instruments differ as well to address and correct the upper cervical spine.
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Class #5 - NeurologyThis week will be about reviewing/discussing the complexity of the neuroanatomy and physiology of the upper cervical joint complex, including the rich mechanoreceptive afferentation in the area. It will also review the role that the brainstem plays with posture and joint position, reviewing the reticular formation, the vestibular tracts and the spinal trigeminal tract. It should also provide an understanding of how neurology learned out of a textbook for class translates into clinical presentation with the patient.
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Class #6 - X-Ray AnalysisThe class presents an introduction to both an orthogonal and an articular approach to taking and analyzing upper cervical films. With the knowledge acquired from the previous courses, students will learn to find important landmarks for analysis, and begin to consider the biomechanics involved with determining a listing and vector for the correction.
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Class #7 - AnatomyThe upper cervical spine is completely unique in the vertebral column, in terms of biomechanics, anatomy, and function. This class is to review the articulations of the craniocervical junction, review some of the blood supply, the myodural bridge, ligaments and muscles in the region.
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Class #8 - RetracingThis class will review the concept that healing does take time – and offers a review of the physiology that helps explain to patients why there is no such thing as a magical “cure” for their symptoms. This class will explore the concept of discerning symptoms vs healing, and the process by which patients can expect their recovery to transition as they start to exhibit normal health and functional balance.
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Class #9 - Marketing Upper CervicalThis class will review the extensive library of marketing resources available for doctors to help them build their practices and create a greater awareness of Upper Cervical Chiropractic in their communities. Grassroots marketing, internal and external programs, digital solutions, online reputation management, website site design best practices and more!
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Class #10 - Doctor TrainingProcedure and protocol for doctor and the proper communication, verbally and nonverbally are essential to reduce chaos and misunderstanding for you as the doctor, your patient, and your staff. Learn how to, upon the first 3 visits, start a solid referral program for your new practice. Understand how power words and phrases are critical in scripting and need to also translate easy to the new patient as well as your maintenance patient. Find out how to keep/retain patients, and also how you can lose patients as well.
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Class #11 - Staff TrainingCA’s (chiropractic assistants), front desk, X-ray techs (staff) are a reflection of you, and are typically the first in contact with your patient(s). Training your staff is an absolutely necessity in success of your practice. Obtaining structure, knowledge, understanding and repetition are just some elements needed for a happy and successful staff. Hiring personality types for tasks in the office are also vital in success to a practice.
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Class #12 - Patient Advocates/Motivation/CoachingThis week topic is often overseen in an existing UC doctor’s aged practice. Creating a huge network of patient advocates (see friends of UC on website, healthychiropractice) not only help with referrals in practice, but helps other patients who may be suffering with specific health issues. “Burn-out” is a problem when focus is challenged by the upper cervical doctor. Acquiring a UC mentor or coach immediately in or out of school is a necessity. Focus may not be the only challenge in a practice. Motivation, or lack thereof, can be a constant nemesis of you and your success. Find out how to keep motivation at high level to continue to prosper in your journey.
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