Upper cervical chiropractic includes several focused approaches to evaluating and correcting the upper cervical spine, including Blair Upper Cervical, NUCCA, Knee Chest, Orthospinology, Atlas Orthogonal and related procedures.
But who are some of the top upper cervical chiropractors to know in 2026?
UCC Near Me reviewed professional experience, technique-specific credentials, teaching, leadership, peer recognition, research involvement and contributions to upper cervical chiropractic to identify 11 doctors with notable backgrounds in the field.
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This is an editorial selection, not a numerical ranking. There is no universally accepted organization or evidence-based system capable of determining the single “best upper cervical chiropractor.” Instead, this guide focuses on documented professional accomplishments that distinguish each doctor.
Top Upper Cervical Chiropractors: 2026 Quick List
| Doctor | Primary Approach | Notable Distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Dr. Andrew “Drew” Hall | Blair Upper Cervical | Former 11-year Blair Society president; two-time Blair Chiropractor of the Year |
| Dr. Beth Bagley | Blair Upper Cervical | Founder of Precision Chiropractic; advanced Blair training; upper cervical practitioner since 2007 |
| Dr. Cecilia Park | Blair Upper Cervical | Blair Proficient; founded Blair student club; multi-location upper cervical practitioner |
| Dr. Rusty Lavender | Knee Chest | Multi-technique upper cervical training; NeckWise co-founder |
| Dr. Steven Simmons | Knee Chest | Longtime upper cervical practitioner and mentor |
| Dr. Tron Malachowski | Knee Chest | Educator, mentor and research contributor |
| Dr. Kevin Pecca | Blair Upper Cervical | Blair Chiropractor of the Year; prominent public educator |
| Dr. Ray Drury | Knee Chest | Three decades in upper cervical practice; Knee Chest educator and Upper Cervical Health Centers co-founder |
| Dr. Dennis Campbell | Blair Upper Cervical | Certified Blair instructor; Blair Chiropractor of the Year |
| Dr. Craig Lapenski | NUCCA | Board Certified; NUCCA leader, instructor and research contributor |
| Dr. Nathan Berner | Orthospinology | Board Certified Orthospinologist and instructor |
How UCC Near Me Selected These Doctors
There is no single credential shared by every branch of upper cervical chiropractic. Blair, NUCCA, Knee Chest, Orthospinology and other approaches maintain different educational and professional structures.
For that reason, UCC Near Me considered the overall professional record of each doctor, including:
- Years devoted to upper cervical practice
- Advanced technique-specific training and certification
- Teaching other chiropractors
- Leadership within professional organizations
- Peer-selected awards and recognition
- Mentorship of chiropractors and students
- Research and scholarly involvement
- Contributions to upper cervical education
- Advancement or preservation of upper cervical procedures
Patient reviews, practice size, advertising visibility and social media popularity were not used as primary measures of professional standing.
Here are UCC Near Me’s top upper cervical chiropractors to know in 2026.
| 1. Dr. Andrew “Drew” Hall
Blair Upper Cervical | Florida Notable credentials
|
Dr. Andrew “Drew” Hall has spent more than two decades practicing, teaching and advancing Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
One of Hall’s most significant professional roles was his 11-year tenure as president of the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Society from 2009 through 2020. His involvement in the technique has extended beyond organizational leadership into teaching and mentorship.
Hall is certified to teach the Blair Technique and has instructed chiropractors at seminars nationally and internationally. He has also trained more than 10 associate chiropractors in his clinical practice.
His professional peers recognized his contributions by naming him Blair Chiropractor of the Year twice, in 2004 and 2016.
Hall’s involvement in public education included appearing in the 2009 documentary The Power of Upper Cervical, which explored upper cervical chiropractic and the experiences of patients seeking this form of care.
His interest in Blair also has a personal origin. Hall experienced significant chronic health problems before encountering upper cervical chiropractic, an experience that influenced his decision to devote his professional career to the technique.
Today, Hall is a co-founder of NeckWise and a founder of UCC Near Me, an educational directory and resource focused on upper cervical chiropractic.
Hall’s combination of more than two decades of Blair practice, long-term professional leadership, teaching, mentorship and two peer-selected Chiropractor of the Year awards provides a strong documented record within contemporary Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic.
| 2. Dr. Beth Bagley
Blair Upper Cervical | Missouri Notable credentials
|
Dr. Elizabeth “Beth” Bagley is a Blair Upper Cervical chiropractor and the founder of Precision Chiropractic in the St. Louis area.
Bagley graduated from Logan College of Chiropractic in 2007 and has completed advanced training in the Blair Upper Cervical Technique.
Her professional work combines focused upper cervical clinical practice with patient and community education. She has taught health and wellness classes both within and outside her practice.
Bagley’s long-term commitment to upper cervical care, practice leadership and Blair-specific training provides a notable professional record within the field.
| 3. Dr. Cecilia Park
Blair Upper Cervical | California Notable credentials
|
Dr. Cecilia Park is a Blair Upper Cervical chiropractor whose professional background combines technique-specific training, practice development and early contributions to Blair education.
Park earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic College West, graduating magna cum laude with clinical honors. As a student, she founded the Blair Student Club and received recognition from the Blair Chiropractic Society for her contributions.
She is listed by the Blair Chiropractic Society as Level 1 Blair Proficient and uses Blair as her focused upper cervical approach. Her clinical work has expanded to practices serving both Los Angeles and San Diego.
Park’s Blair-specific involvement, academic record and development of a multi-location upper cervical practice make her a notable contemporary practitioner within the Blair community.
| 4. Dr. Rusty Lavender
Knee Chest Upper Cervical | Florida Notable credentials
|
Dr. Rusty Lavender represents a newer generation of doctors working to expand focused upper cervical chiropractic.
Lavender graduated cum laude from Palmer College of Chiropractic after earning his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater.
During chiropractic school, he pursued additional education in several upper cervical approaches, including Advanced HIO Knee Chest, Upper Cervical Revolution and TATS.
During his final trimester at Palmer, Lavender completed clinical training at Simmons Specific Chiropractic under Dr. Steven Simmons, further developing his experience in specific upper cervical practice.
He subsequently established his clinical work in Sarasota, Florida, with an emphasis on Knee Chest Upper Cervical.
Lavender is now a co-founder of NeckWise and a founder of UCC Near Me. His work includes helping expand a multi-location organization focused on upper cervical chiropractic and supporting broader public education about upper cervical care.
| 5. Dr. Steven Simmons
Knee Chest Upper Cervical | Michigan Notable contributions
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Dr. Steven Simmons is known within Knee Chest upper cervical circles for clinical practice and mentorship.
An important component of Simmons’ professional contribution has been training and influencing chiropractors pursuing specific upper cervical practice.
That includes providing clinical training to doctors such as Dr. Rusty Lavender during Lavender’s final trimester at Palmer College of Chiropractic.
Mentorship is an important part of maintaining technique-specific knowledge within upper cervical chiropractic. Experienced practitioners who train younger doctors help transmit clinical procedures, philosophy and standards to subsequent generations.
Simmons’ long-term commitment to focused upper cervical practice and doctor mentorship makes him a notable figure within the Knee Chest community.
| 6. Dr. Tron Malachowski
Knee Chest Upper Cervical | Georgia Notable contributions
|
Dr. Tron Malachowski has combined clinical practice with professional education, mentorship and research involvement.
His work has included speaking and teaching within the chiropractic profession and mentoring doctors and chiropractic students interested in upper cervical care.
Malachowski has also participated in published research involving upper cervical chiropractic, including work related to conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and Meniere’s disease.
His professional involvement extends into the Upper Cervical Knee Chest Society, providing another avenue through which he has contributed to the development and education of practitioners within that branch of upper cervical chiropractic.
| 7. Dr. Kevin Pecca
Blair Upper Cervical | New Jersey Notable credentials
|
Dr. Kevin Pecca has developed a recognizable presence within Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic through clinical practice and public education.
Pecca’s path into the profession followed personal experiences with multiple concussions sustained while playing ice hockey and persistent symptoms that followed.
He subsequently pursued chiropractic and developed a clinical focus on the Blair Technique.
Pecca has also worked extensively in public education through interviews and conversations with chiropractors, healthcare professionals and others discussing upper cervical chiropractic and related health topics.
In 2022, Pecca was named Blair Chiropractor of the Year, providing peer recognition of his contributions within the Blair community. Pecca is also a founder of UCC Near Me, an educational directory and resource focused on upper cervical chiropractic.
| 8. Dr. Ray Drury
Knee Chest Upper Cervical | North Carolina Notable credentials
|
Dr. Ray Drury is a second-generation upper cervical chiropractor whose professional career has combined clinical practice, education and organizational development.
Drury has practiced upper cervical chiropractic for more than three decades and is based in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a co-founder of Upper Cervical Health Centers and has helped develop and operate upper cervical practices.
His professional contribution also includes extensive doctor education. Drury has taught Knee Chest Upper Cervical Technique and previously served as an instructor through the Kale Upper Cervical Specific Network. His teaching has included chiropractic students, practicing doctors and international audiences.
In 2010, Sherman College of Chiropractic recognized Drury with its Service to the Profession Award for his contributions to chiropractic. He is also the author of The Best-Kept Secret in Health Care, which focuses on public education about upper cervical chiropractic.
Drury’s combination of long-term focused practice, technique instruction, professional service and public education makes him a notable figure within contemporary Knee Chest upper cervical chiropractic.
| 9. Dr. Dennis Campbell
Blair Upper Cervical | California Notable credentials
|
Dr. Dennis Campbell is a longtime Blair Upper Cervical chiropractor practicing in California.
In addition to clinical practice, Campbell is recognized as a Certified Blair Instructor, reflecting his involvement in teaching the technique to other chiropractors.
His professional contributions were recognized in 2004 when he was named Blair Chiropractor of the Year, sharing that year’s recognition with Dr. Andrew Hall.
Campbell’s combination of clinical longevity, teaching and peer recognition provides an established record within the Blair community.
| 10. Dr. Craig Lapenski
NUCCA | Washington Notable credentials
|
Dr. Craig Lapenski has a professional record spanning clinical practice, NUCCA leadership, certification, education and research involvement.
Lapenski graduated with honors from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1999 and achieved full NUCCA Board Certification in 2010.
His work within NUCCA has included serving on its Board of Directors, participating in certification and standards activities and serving as a Credentialed NUCCA Instructor.
Lapenski has also been involved with the Upper Cervical Research Foundation and upper cervical research.
His professional contributions have received significant recognition. He received the Dr. Marshall Dickholtz Sr. Scientific Research Award in 2023 and the Ralph Gregory Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024.
Lapenski also participates in NUCCA’s advanced certification process, helping evaluate doctors progressing through the organization’s professional credentialing system.
| 11. Dr. Nathan Berner
Orthospinology | Georgia Notable credentials
Dr. Nathan Berner represents the Orthospinology branch of modern upper cervical chiropractic. |
A graduate of Life University, Berner is a Board Certified Orthospinologist and has developed a significant role in professional education.
He teaches Basic 1 and Basic 2 Orthospinology courses as well as Advanced Instrument Adjusting seminars for chiropractors and chiropractic students.
Through this educational work, Berner has helped train practitioners from around the country in Orthospinology procedures.
His interests have also extended into research involving the craniocervical junction, connecting clinical upper cervical practice with broader questions surrounding the biomechanics of the region.
What Do These Upper Cervical Chiropractors Have in Common?
The doctors in this guide practice different techniques and come from different professional backgrounds.
Their common denominator is meaningful involvement beyond simply offering an upper cervical adjustment.
Among the 11 doctors are:
- Technique instructors
- Board Certified practitioners
- Former professional-organization presidents
- Research contributors
- Peer-award recipients
- Mentors of other chiropractors
- Doctors with decades of focused clinical experience
These characteristics provide more useful context than attempting to determine clinical quality based solely on online reviews or marketing visibility.
Understanding the Major Upper Cervical Techniques
Upper cervical chiropractic is not one standardized technique.
Several procedures have developed within the profession, with meaningful differences in imaging, biomechanical analysis, patient positioning and correction methods.
Blair Upper Cervical
Blair Upper Cervical uses an articular approach that emphasizes the individual anatomy of the joints of the upper cervical spine.
Precise imaging is used to evaluate each patient’s anatomy and determine how the upper cervical vertebrae relate to one another.
Several doctors on this list—including Andrew Hall, Beth Bagley, Cecilia Park, Kevin Pecca and Dennis Campbell—have significant professional involvement with Blair.
NUCCA
NUCCA stands for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association.
The procedure uses an orthogonal approach to upper cervical analysis and maintains a structured professional certification pathway culminating in Board Certification.
Craig Lapenski is the Board Certified NUCCA practitioner included in this guide.
Knee Chest Upper Cervical
Knee Chest procedures have roots in the early development of upper cervical chiropractic and use distinctive patient positioning and correction methods.
Rusty Lavender, Steven Simmons, Tron Malachowski and Ray Drury represent this branch of upper cervical practice within the 2026 selections.
Orthospinology
Orthospinology developed from the Grostic lineage of upper cervical chiropractic and uses detailed imaging and biomechanical analysis.
Nathan Berner is the Board Certified Orthospinologist included in this year’s guide.
Other focused approaches include Atlas Orthogonal, Advanced Orthogonal and additional upper cervical procedures.
There is currently no high-quality evidence establishing one upper cervical technique as universally superior to all others for every patient.
How to Choose a Highly Qualified Upper Cervical Chiropractor
A list like this can provide a starting point, but patients should evaluate a doctor based on their individual needs rather than simply selecting someone from an online ranking.
Consider asking:
How much of the practice is focused on upper cervical care?
Some chiropractors focus almost exclusively on the upper cervical spine, while others incorporate an upper cervical procedure into a broader chiropractic practice.
What technique-specific training has the doctor completed?
Training requirements differ significantly between Blair, NUCCA, Knee Chest, Orthospinology and other approaches.
Does the technique offer advanced certification?
When formal certification exists, it provides an additional objective credential to consider.
NUCCA and Orthospinology, for example, maintain advanced certification pathways.
Does the doctor teach or mentor other chiropractors?
Teaching does not automatically make someone a better clinician, but it can demonstrate substantial involvement and knowledge within a particular technique.
How are clinical decisions made?
Patients should understand how a doctor evaluates the upper cervical spine, when imaging is appropriate, how findings influence recommendations and how the need for subsequent corrections is determined.
Does the doctor explain the process clearly?
Patient education matters. A doctor should be able to explain what is being evaluated, why a particular approach is recommended and what the goals of care are.
Who Is a Highly Credentialed NUCCA Chiropractor?
Craig Lapenski is Board Certified through NUCCA.
Lapenski has also contributed to the organization beyond clinical practice through education, leadership and certification activities.
For patients specifically seeking NUCCA, the organization’s official directory can be used to verify a doctor’s current membership and certification status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top upper cervical chiropractors in 2026?
UCC Near Me’s 2026 editorial selections include Andrew Hall, Beth Bagley, Cecilia Park, Rusty Lavender, Steven Simmons, Tron Malachowski, Kevin Pecca, Ray Drury, Dennis Campbell, Craig Lapenski and Nathan Berner. Selection was based on documented professional experience, advanced credentials, teaching, leadership, peer recognition, mentorship and research involvement.
Who is the best upper cervical chiropractor?
There is no objective or universally recognized system for identifying a single best upper cervical chiropractor. Patients should consider technique-specific training, experience, advanced certification when available, teaching, professional leadership and the doctor’s approach to evaluation and clinical decision-making.
Who are some leading Blair chiropractors?
Andrew Hall, Beth Bagley, Cecilia Park, Dennis Campbell and Kevin Pecca are among the Blair practitioners highlighted in this guide based on documented teaching, leadership, advanced credentials or peer recognition.
What are the main upper cervical chiropractic techniques?
Common approaches include Blair Upper Cervical, NUCCA, Knee Chest, Orthospinology, Atlas Orthogonal and Advanced Orthogonal. These procedures differ in their methods of imaging, analysis, patient positioning and correction.
What credentials should I look for?
Credentials depend on the technique. Patients can look for technique-specific certification, advanced postgraduate education, instructor status, professional leadership and a practice substantially focused on upper cervical care.
How can I find an upper cervical chiropractor near me?
UCC Near Me maintains a directory of upper cervical chiropractors organized by location to help patients identify doctors and learn more about the techniques they practice.
About This Guide
UCC Near Me created this guide to provide an educational starting point for patients and others researching experienced and professionally involved doctors within upper cervical chiropractic.
Selection was based on publicly documented professional information including technique training, advanced certification, teaching, organizational leadership, peer recognition, mentorship, research involvement and contributions to upper cervical education.
This guide represents an editorial selection rather than an objective ranking of clinical ability or patient outcomes. Inclusion does not guarantee results, and omission should not be interpreted as a judgment regarding another doctor’s qualifications.
Professional positions, certifications and credentials can change. Readers should verify current credentials through the appropriate professional organization.
Last reviewed: August 2026.