Logo of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas featuring a silhouette of a woman's head with a spinal column highlighted in the neck area, surrounded by a circular design, with the text "Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas" below.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care in Encinitas, CA

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Gentle, precise Blair upper cervical adjustments using advanced CBCT imaging — no cracking, twisting, or popping

What is Upper Cervical Chiropractic?

Upper Cervical Chiropractic is a gentle and precise approach to care that focuses on the top two bones in the neck, which play a vital role in protecting the brainstem and supporting overall body balance. Even small misalignments here can affect the entire nervous system. By using careful analysis and light corrections — without twisting, cracking, or popping — Upper Cervical care helps restore proper alignment so the body can function and heal at its best.

What Makes Us Different

  • Medical imaging workstation with a computer monitor, keyboard, and mouse next to a large X-ray or CT scanner.

    Advanced CBCT Imaging

    We use 3D CBCT scans to see your neck in incredible detail, allowing for the most accurate analysis and tailored care.

  • A woman wearing a headband stands next to a comparison chart showing eye movement patterns. The chart has two sections labeled "Healthy" and "Impaired," with sightlines illustrating different eye movement patterns in each section.

    State of the Art Testing

    From posture and neck motion to balance tracking with BTrackS, we measure how your body is really functioning — not just how it feels.

  • Compare traditional chiropractic adjustment with gentle and precise treatments; the first showing a line drawing of a person with a rotating neck, the second showing a silhouette with a star on the neck area, emphasizing no twisting or cracking.

    Gentle and Precise Treatments

    Using the Blair Upper Cervical method, we correct the spine with light, specific adjustments tailored to your anatomy — no cracking, twisting, or popping.

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Who We Help

At Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas, we care for people who are struggling with a wide range of health challenges. Our gentle and precise approach is especially effective for those experiencing:

  • Neck Pain & Stiffness – relief for chronic tension, whiplash, or injuries.

  • Headaches & Migraines – addressing underlying issues in the upper neck that often trigger pain.

  • Vertigo & Balance Problems – improving stability and reducing dizziness.

  • Post-Concussion & Head Trauma – supporting recovery and nervous system healing.

  • Poor Posture & Tech Neck – restoring alignment in today’s screen-heavy world.

  • Chronic Fatigue & Brain Fog – helping improve nervous system function and energy levels.

Whether you’re an athlete, a busy parent, or someone who has “tried everything else,” our goal is to help you feel and function at your best — naturally.

Where We’re Located

 

Conveniently located at the corner of Encinitas Blvd & Rancho Santa Fe Rd, our building is easy to find and has plenty of parking

We serve patients from Encinitas, Carlsbad, Rancho Santa Fe, Leucadia, Cardiff, Solana Beach, Del Mar, San Marcos, Vista, Escondido & the entire North County San Diego area.

Dr. Samuel Dungan DC

Dr. Samuel Dungan DC

Meet the Team

About Dr. Samuel Dungan DC
Dr. Samuel Dungan studied Kinesiology at San Diego State University before earning his Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Life West Chiropractic College. After experiencing his own neck pain and a few accidents along the way, he finally found lasting relief through Upper Cervical Chiropractic care — and knew he had to share it with others. Today, he’s on a mission to help people in Encinitas and beyond feel and function at their best, starting with the neck.

 FAQs

  • Upper Cervical care focuses only on the top two bones in the neck, using gentle and precise adjustments instead of forceful twisting or popping.

  • Not at all. They are gentle, comfortable, and most patients are surprised at how light they feel.

  • Yes — we use advanced CBCT imaging to get a 3D view of your neck, so every adjustment is customized to your unique anatomy.

  • Every patient is different. Some feel improvement quickly, while others need more time. Our goal is lasting results, not endless visits.

  • We can provide documentation for you to submit to your insurance if you have out-of-network chiropractic coverage. We also accept HSA/FSA.

  • Not every visit requires an adjustment — and that’s a good thing! On days when an adjustment isn’t needed, we focus on supporting your progress in other ways. This may include:

    • Strengthening exercises with tools like NecksLevel or NeckCare to stabilize the neck.

    • Postural retraining and balance testing to track your improvements.

    • Lifestyle and condition-specific guidance — simple strategies you can use at home to support healing.

    Every visit is tailored to what your body needs that day, so you’re always moving closer to long-term stability and health.

  • Yes. At Upper Cervical Chiropractic Encinitas, our approach is gentle and precise, with no cracking, twisting, or popping. This makes it especially well-suited for patients with hypermobility or connective tissue disorders like EDS. By focusing on the upper cervical spine and using advanced imaging and testing, we can provide care that supports stability, reduces pain, and helps improve overall function — while respecting the unique needs of hypermobile bodies.

Questions? Contact Us!

Have a question about upper cervical care, your first visit, or whether this approach could help you?


We’re here to help. Reach out anytime — or skip the back-and-forth and book directly online.

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