Office Hours Monday: 8am-12pm, 1pm-5:30pm Tuesday: 9am-12pm, 1pm-3:30pm Wednesday: 8am-12pm, 1pm-3:30pm Thursday: 8am-12pm, 1pm-5:30pm Friday-Sunday: Closed

Owensboro Atlas Center functions as an "Out of Network" health provider. This means that our office has no signed contracts restricting the care we can provide to our clients. Our office is a self-pay office that accepts cash, credit cards, debit cards, health savings accounts (HSA), and flex savings accounts (FSA). If you want to use your health insurance, we will provide a superbill (special receipt) that you can submit to your health insurance company for possible reimbursement after services and care have been rendered.

Out-of-network providers have fewer restrictions when it comes to providing effective and individualized healthcare. When your provider is out of network: No restrictions limiting your number of visits per year No pre-determined fees or co-pays No limitations to the care our office can or can't provide for your family No additional or unexpected charges for additional services provided - if under contract - we would be forced to charge you for each individual service performed which would result in different fees for each visit

We do not accept Medicare and cannot submit a bill through Medicare, or a supplemental insurance, for reimbursement. If you have Medicare, then we cannot offer a consultation, examinations, or adjustments due to billing through Medicare and the federal regulations. If you wish to be provided with a consultation and examinations through our practice, and you are choosing do so outside of your insurance coverage, we are happy to see you and assist you with your wellness needs. Our office does not turn anyone away that is seeking the counsel and recommendations that we provide, but we do advise that you seek out similar/comparable providers that accept Medicare for reimbursement.

When you first come into the office, you will be greeted by one of our team members. Our team member will briefly review your initial paperwork to make sure everything is completed. You will receive a brief office tour so you know where everything is located. Then, you will be escorted back to an evaluation room. Dr. Kyle or team member will review your paperwork and go over any questions you may have regarding your health. Then, Dr. Kyle or a team member will explain upper cervical chiropractic and what makes OAC unique to the chiropractic profession. Also, he or she will explain why many different tests and exams are required prior to starting care. Functional, structural, and postural evaluations will be administered by Dr. Kyle, and you will receive your 1st infrared neurological scan. Once the data is collected, 3D spinal images will be taken of your upper cervical spine via Cone Beam CT (CBCT). A team member will schedule you for your Day 2 report of findings. We recommend allowing 45-60 minutes of time to review paperwork, collect all the data, and obtain spinal images on your first visit with us. We welcome you to OAC and are very excited to meet you!

At OAC, we focus on serving YOU as a person rather than treating you as a patient. We determine each individual’s current state of health and help each person make a shift as we aim to restore proper nerve system functioning. Our compassionate team takes pride in creating a comforting and extraordinary experience for each practice member in order for you to become the-best-version-of-yourself in obtaining your health goals. You can expect the following on every visit: Timely appointments Your upper cervical doctor to adhere to the day 1, day 2, and day 3 protocol Neurological spinal scans on every visit Invitations to future appreciation and educational events Your information to be held confidential and secure Peaceful, comforting, and relaxing experience We look forward to serving you and your family through specific upper cervical chiropractic care.

OAC strives to be upfront and transparent when it comes to this unique type of chiropractic care. When receiving upper cervical chiropractic care at OAC, you will NOT have: Your spine twisted, pulled, “cracked,” “snapped,” or “popped” Massage services Acupuncture services Physical therapy (ice, heat, muscle stimulation, ultrasound, etc.) services Low back, arm, or leg manipulations Your spine adjusted on every visit (as our goal is for you to hold the adjustment for a prolonged period of time) Dr. Kyle take you off any medications (that is between you and your prescribing doctor)

If you could please print out, complete, and bring initial paperwork into the office, that would save approximately 15 minutes of waiting time. We highly recommend taking 10 minutes to watch the introduction videos (Day 1 & 2-4-6 Rule) posted on our website so that you know what to expect when coming into our office prior to your first visit.

In order to restore proper neurological functioning to the spine and nerve system, your upper cervical doctor must collect enough neurological data (infrared spinal scans) to establish your abnormal neurological pattern. The day 1, day 2, and day 3 protocol allows Dr. Kyle to collect enough neurological data to provide you with the best care possible and allows you to get all of your questions answered before proceeding with care. OAC takes pride in educating and answering all questions, so our potential practice members can make well-informed decisions about their health and overall well-being.

The analogy is as simple as a light bulb. When a light bulb is turned on, electrical signals run through the light bulb in order to make light. It sounds simple, but have you ever wondered why the light bulb becomes warm after it has been turned on for a period of time? The reason is because the light bulb is interfering with the electrical signals that are running through it. When there is any interference with electrical signals, the byproduct is heat. Similarly, there are electrical signals that flow throughout our entire body and travel at about 270 mph. They start from our brain and run down our spine and connect to every cell, tissue, and organ of the body. One of those organs is your skin. Each of the nerves that exit the spine innervates (communicates and attaches to) specific areas of the skin, thus dividing the body into patterns known as dermatomes. The nerve system uses vasoconstriction and vasodilation of the capillary bed to help regulate body temperature. Any irritation to the nerve system will cause the skin’s natural temperature symmetry to fall out of balance. As discussed, the atlas vertebra can become misaligned. When the atlas vertebra is misaligned, it disrupts the normal electrical signals within the spine, and, in turn, creates heat. Utilizing infrared thermography allows the doctor to determine if any irritation or compromise is present within the nerve system due to any elevated temperature readings from one side of the spine to the other. In summary, your upper cervical chiropractor at OAC utilizes infrared thermography or the infrared spinal scan to gauge the function of the nerve system. Without the use of infrared thermography, your upper cervical doctor would have no way of knowing if your spine is functioning the right or wrong way. Infrared thermography is completely safe for everyone with no radiation exposure.

With the exception of young children, yes. OAC utilizes Cone Beam CT (CBCT) imaging to obtain 3D spinal images of your neck. CBCT is safe and effective with minimal radiation. Utilizing this technology allows Dr. Kyle to assess and pinpoint your precise misalignment to the nearest millimeter and degree. This helps him give specific upper cervical adjustments and care recommendations that are tailor-made to you.

Your first visit services include: office tour consultation functional exams first neurological spinal scan spinal exams 3D spinal imaging (if necessary) Total cost for your first and second visit services: $475. Your second visit services include: doctor’s report of findings care plan recommendations second neurological spinal scan discuss financial options discuss any questions towards care Your upper cervical doctor will be giving specific care recommendations that are tailor-made to you and your case. Any questions towards your care and financial investment are encouraged as your doctor looks forward to answering them for you. Your third visit services include: third neurological spinal scan first upper cervical chiropractic adjustment post-rest (minimum of one hour) in private resting suite post neurological spinal scan to confirm that nervous system is restored to proper functioning Your financial investment with your care plan agreement will be settled on your third visit prior to receiving your first upper cervical adjustment. Your care plan agreement will vary depending on which payment option you choose. Owensboro Atlas Center has several payment options (pay in full, monthly, or per visit) in order to make care affordable for everyone and we will be happy to assist in answering any questions you have with your financial options and doctor's care plan recommendations.

With upper cervical chiropractic care our goal is for you to "hold" or maintain your adjustment for a prolonged period of time. Therefore, your upper cervical spine should NOT have to be adjusted on each visit. As we say in the office, "Holding is healing." The longer your body is "holding" or maintaining the adjustment the faster your recovery and healing potential. Therefore, you aren't charged per adjustment in the office but per visit as we use specialized neurological technology and structural exams on each visit to determine whether your body is "holding" its adjustment from your previous visit. In the event that your spine and nervous system are compromised confirmed by our neurological exams, you will receive an upper cervical adjustment and there will be no additional fee.

Absolutely! Our vision at OAC is to ensure that everyone including families has their nerve system assessed regularly and corrected accordingly to confirm that their body is working and functioning at its optimal level. Just as the whole family typically goes to their dentist to get their teeth checked and cleaned, you are encouraged to bring your whole family to have their spines evaluated making sure their nerve system is functioning properly. When the family is under care together, not only is it more affordable, but a unique healing bond is created.

At OAC, we see infants who are as little as a day old to children who are in their teens. The goal isn’t to treat any particular symptom or condition but, rather, to check and make sure their body and nerve system are working properly. Just as it makes sense to get their teeth checked and cleaned regularly to prevent the potential of future cavities, it makes sense to have a child’s spine and nerve system checked and corrected (if needed) to make sure their body is developing and functioning at their optimal level possible. At OAC, we believe that healthy kids turn into healthy adults and sick kids turn into sick adults. If your child is experiencing symptoms or has been diagnosed with a condition, we have found that infants and kids typically respond well to upper cervical chiropractic care as their particular issue is in its early stages. Correcting and restoring their nerve system back to proper functioning in early stages allows their body to adapt and heal quicker compared to adults who usually take several years to develop into a health condition. Our technique is gentle and safe for everyone with no twisting, “cracking,” or “popping” of the spine.

A pregnant woman’s nerve system is responsible for not one, but two different individuals, as she is the host of the fetus. Over the next 9 months, her body will drastically change structurally, physiologically, and emotionally. Therefore, it is imperative to have her nerve system checked to make sure her body and the baby’s body is working and functioning properly. Having the baby’s spine and nerve system checked ensures he/she is growing and developing at his/her maximal potential. Sleeping habits, building a strong immune system, and maintaining regular bowel movements are just several functions that the nerve system helps coordinate in the infant's early developing stages of life.

YES! This is the best time to start empowering yourself as we can always learn more ways to take better care of ourselves! Working with Dr. Kyle on a regular basis is perfect for prioritizing your health and wellness by continually focusing on new topics such as "holding" your adjustment, nutrition, mindset, movement, sleep, managing stress, and more. Depending on your situation, you will more likely require less frequent visits to keep pushing you towards the best version of yourself. It's easier to stop something from happening in the first place than to repair the damage after it has happened. Benjamin Franklin summarized it best, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."

Every person’s experience will be a little different after their first adjustment or correction. As no two spines are neurologically and structurally alike, no two people will have the same experience. When the first correction is performed, your nerve system essentially “resets” as it begins to restore itself back to proper functioning. Think of it like restarting your computer for current updates. Hence, why it is imperative to rest after your upper cervical spine has been corrected to give your body time to help "hold" the correction longer. During the resting period, you may fall right asleep as your body shifts into neurological balance or "ease." Some individuals experience localized warm spots in joints or feel a mental calmness. Others feel muscle twitches or notice a subtle tingling sensation throughout your body—such as your arms and legs. Sometimes you might hear a clicking or popping noise (pressure being released from joints) due to your spine and body being restored back to proper functioning, both structurally and neurologically. Your initial care plan is created with the intention for your upper cervical doctor to monitor how long you are “holding” your correction. Following an upper cervical correction, it is recommended to refrain from putting any stress or strain on the head or neck region for at least 24 to 48 hours after any correction to the upper cervical spine. Some other potential stressors to be aware of could include: texting, sleeping on your stomach or not using a contour pillow, strenuous weight lifting, watching TV in bed with the head/neck propped up, and poor ergonomic posture while at work.

There is no twisting, “cracking,” or “popping” of any kind to the neck or spine. Upper cervical adjustments are safe, gentle, and effective at correcting subluxations at the upper cervical (upper neck) area to ensure that the body and nerve system are working and functioning at their optimal level.

That is completely up to you. Once an individual or family completes their initial trial of care, we don’t force them to long-term wellness care plans. We pride ourselves in educating our practice members on each visit, so they can make well-informed decisions regarding their health. However, just like you get your teeth cleaned twice per year and get your oil changed regularly, we believe that getting your nerve system assessed routinely is imperative to ensure that your body is functioning at its optimal level. Typically, most individuals and/or entire families schedule an appointment 1-2 times per month after they have completed their initial care plan to get checked and corrected (if needed) to make sure their body is functioning and working the right way.

We currently have one doctor, Dr. Kyle Wilgus, at Owensboro Atlas Center. We are looking at hiring another doctor soon and expanding in Newburgh/Evansville area.

This is a slippery question as most people don’t understand that chiropractic has many different branches just as there are different fields in professions such as lawyers, dentists, medical doctors, teachers, coaches, etc. Chiropractors can do many different things like acupuncture, physical therapy, promote vitamins, shoe lifts, weight loss, diets, massage, stretches, and/or exercises. Therefore, the general public doesn’t know what to expect when they first come in to see a chiropractor unless they ask the question, “What type of chiropractic do you perform?” Most chiropractors believe that the more adjustments you get, the better off your body is going to be in regards to health. However, upper cervical chiropractors have a different approach. Upper cervical chiropractic is a strict discipline of chiropractic that ensures that both your spine and nerve system are structurally and neurologically sound. Our goal is NOT to adjust your spine. We only adjust the spine when it needs to be adjusted. It relates to the term, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If your spine and nerve system aren’t compromised, you don’t need to be corrected. If your nerve system is working the right way, Dr. Kyle doesn't want to adjust your spine and potentially get you out of correction. Our intention is for you to be “holding” your adjustment or correction from your previous visit. The longer you “hold” your correction, the longer your body has time to heal itself from within. The analogy is similar to going to your dentist and finding out you don’t have a cavity. That’s great news! Going to your upper cervical chiropractor and getting your spine and nerve system checked regularly and corrected accordingly to ensure your body is working and functioning properly is a great feeling and enables you to live your life to the fullest as God intended.

Ultimately, our goal isn’t to “fix” any particular condition or treat any particular disease. Our intention is to get your nerve system restored back to proper functioning. When this occurs, your body stops or slows the breaking down process, and begins to build and heal itself from within. Typically, people will see changes in symptoms during their initial care plan as their body is beginning to heal itself. However, our initial care plan is designed to allow Dr. Kyle to identify how long you are “holding” your correction. In summary, health should never be gauged on how well one is feeling, but rather on how well the body and nerve system are functioning.

Each auto accident is different and unique, not only for each person involved in the accident, but the potential side effects to each individual. What we have found is that upper cervical care is a more gentle and specific approach as compared to traditional chiropractic. Many of our clients that have experienced being in an auto accident recently or several years ago have noticed improvements in their symptoms and overall health. The best place to start is with an initial consultation and exam with Dr. Kyle to determine if upper cervical care is right for you and your needs.

Yes, Dr. Kyle will give you simple and easy exercises to help you heal at home. These exercises and recommendations will facilitate towards your care and help you "hold" or maintain your upper cervical adjustments allowing you to heal at your full potential. For example: here is one of Dr. Kyle's favorite recommendations for neck pain.

A subluxation is when the top two bones in the upper neck (C1 atlas or C2 axis) have shifted out of their normal positions causing the spine to become structurally and neurologically compromised. This phenomenon can cause pressure or torsion on the brainstem and central nerve system which can interfere with the communication between the brain and body

Our body’s ability to adapt and heal itself is dictated by the amount of internal and external stressors our body goes through on a regular day-to-day basis. These stressors could include: emotional stressors (Thoughts), chemical stressors (Toxins), and physical stressors (Traumas). Chiropractors call these stressors the 3 Ts. THOUGHTS TOXINS TRAUMAS By eliminating or minimizing the three Ts, it gives our body and nerve system the best chance to adapt and function at its optimal level. However, we all know that life happens, and these stressors will continue to add up over time. There comes a breaking point when our body and nerve system cannot adapt to these stressors any longer. Our body tries to correct and stabilize itself by compensating to protect the brainstem and central nerve system. These compensations can lead to postural changes, muscles tensions, and dysfunctions in our body. In return, our nerve system becomes compromised. The healing messages traveling from the brain to the rest of the body are interrupted and the flow of nerve signals is decreased. As a result, our body begins to function from an "eased" (harmony or balanced) state into a "dis-eased" (lack of harmony or unbalanced) state of health. If not corrected over time, a decreased expression of life may continue to develop throughout the entire body due to the lack of healing messages that travel from the brain to the rest of the body. As a result, symptoms and conditions may begin to appear within the body due to the nerve system not working properly.

The brainstem is the junction that connects your brain and spinal cord. It is a superhighway for your nerve system to communicate with the rest of your body. The brainstem is so important because it controls basic body functions such as breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether you are awake or tired. These main functions are critical for our bodies to express life to the fullest. Making sure your brainstem and spinal cord is functioning at its maximum potential allows you to be-the-best-version-of-yourself.The atlas bone is located below the brainstem. A misalignment of the top bone in your neck irritates the nerve system causing abnormal structural and neurological irritation within the spine. If not corrected over time, this can lead to muscular tension, pain, suffering, and decreased quality of life.

Our spine is separated into three different parts: cervical, thoracic, and lumbar. The lumbar area consists of the lower back portion of the spine, thoracic area is the middle back portion of the spine, and the cervical area consists of your neck portion of the spine. The top two bones, called atlas (C1) and axis (C2), are located in the upper neck and are referred to as the upper cervical portions of the spine. The atlas vertebra supports the weight of the head and also protects the brainstem. The brainstem is located at the base of the skull where the brain and spinal cord meet. It is the equivalent to the main electrical supply in your house. When the top two vertebrae in the spine shift out of their normal positions, it causes the spine to become structurally and neurologically compromised. This phenomenon is referred to as nerve interference or a subluxation. The upper cervical chiropractor’s objective is to correct subluxations in the upper neck of individuals, which reunites the healing messages and allows proper communication from the brain to the rest of the body. In return, the body functions at its optimal expression and begins to restore itself from the inside out. In summary, upper cervical chiropractic is a strict discipline of chiropractic that focuses on the vital area of the spine, which is the brainstem, to ensure that the spine is both structurally and neurologically balanced.

On September 18, 1895, the first chiropractic adjustment was performed in Davenport, Iowa by Dr. D.D. Palmer, who become known as the "Discoverer of Chiropractic." The first adjustment was performed on a deaf man’s spine and his hearing was restored. A few years later, Dr. B.J Palmer became known as the “Developer of Chiropractic” as he took over his father’s work and developed hundreds of ways to adjust the spine. He was determined to find a way to objectively gauge nerve system function within the spine. It wasn’t until 1923 that he introduced an instrument called the “neurocalometer” to the profession. This instrument fulfilled the purpose for a chiropractor to analyze the spine, locate a misaligned vertebra, and adjust that vertebra with the intention to correct abnormal nerve system functioning within the spine. He continued to do extensive research in this new theory within the field of chiropractic. In the spring of 1930, Dr. Palmer introduced upper cervical chiropractic to the profession. From this day forward, he primarly focused on this area of the spine with the premise that the only place in the spine where you can affect the entire body neurologically and structurally was the upper cervical region of the spine.

As discussed earlier, the brainstem is all about function. It controls breathing, swallowing, heart rate, blood pressure, consciousness, and whether you are awake or tired. In regards to nerve system physiology, approximately 10 percent of a nerve fiber interprets pain, which means 90 percent of a nerve fiber is about function. All of our sensory nerves, our nerves that interpret pain, run outside of our spine. This is why one can’t feel the atlas being misaligned or wouldn’t necessarily know that their nerve system or brainstem could potentially be compromised. Therefore, using some type of instrument or gauge is very important in regards to assessing brainstem and nerve system functioning. Upper cervical doctors use infrared thermography (spinal scan) as a gauge to identify whether or not the nerve system is compromised. No guess work should ever be applied to anything in life, especially when focusing on what keeps us alive and thriving. In summary, health should never be gauged on how well one is feeling, but rather on how well the body is functioning. Having your nerve system checked regularly and adjusted accordingly makes sense to ensure that your brain and body is working at its optimal level.

The upper cervical spine is unique compared to any other vertebrae in the entire spine. These top two bones in your neck have their own distinct shape and function, which is to support the weight of your head and to protect the most vital area in your body—the brainstem. The top bone in the neck, called the atlas, is the only bone in your spine that is held in place by only muscles. The rest of the 23 vertebrae in the spine stack on top of one another and are held in place by an interlocking joint to protect the nerve coming out of it. Typically, individuals rest a minimum of one hour after their first upper cervical correction and a minimum of thirty minutes after subsequent corrections (if needed). Resting after an adjustment is imperative to allow the muscles to adapt to the atlas’ new positioning and gives the body the best opportunity to help “hold” their correction. If an individual doesn’t rest or give the body enough time to adapt to the adjustment, that individual is taking a risk at possibly causing the atlas to return back to its abnormal positioning and causing the spine and nerve system to become structurally and neurologically compromised again.

An adjustment or correction that is preformed correctly by an experienced upper cervical chiropractor should never hurt. Our technique utilized at OAC is very gentle, safe, and involves no twisting, “cracking,” or “popping” of the spine. Dr. Kyle has extensive experience working, analyzing, and adjusting the upper cervical spine with his specific technique. However, some people do experience slight tenderness or slight discomfort during their first upper cervical correction or adjustment. This is due to the atlas being misaligned for a long period of time - possibly years. Very little force is used when making the adjustment to the atlas, which allows Dr. Kyle to check and adjust everyone regardless of age.

Yes, our intention is for our clients to being “holding” their correction after their first initial adjustment is made. Upper cervical chiropractic is a strict discipline of chiropractic that ensures that both your spine and nerve system are structurally and neurologically sound. Our goal is NOT to adjust your spine because that means your body and nerve system are working and functioning properly. At OAC, we only correct the spine when it needs to be corrected. It is comparable to the term, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” If your spine and nerve system aren’t compromised, they don’t need to be corrected. The longer an individual “holds” the correction, the longer the body has time to heal itself from within. The analogy is similar to going to your dentist and finding out you don’t have a cavity. We believe that getting your spine and nerve system checking regularly and corrected accordingly ensures your body is working and functioning properly. This allows you to live your life to the fullest be able to become the-best-version-of-yourself as God intended.

This answer all depends on how long an individual “holds” their adjustment or correction. It is different for everyone and every case. One person might hold a week. Another might hold for 6 months. It all depends on the different levels of stress (Three Ts) a person goes through on a day-to-day or week-to-week basis. Typically, our goal for each practice member is to “hold” their correction for about a month. However, this can vary from person to person. Our initial care plan is set up to identify how long a person is “holding” the adjustment. Once we identify about how long an individual is “holding” their correction, that is how often we recommend they come in to get checked and corrected (if needed). Once an individual completes the initial care plan and we have established how long they are “holding” their correction, OAC offers affordable care programs that allow individuals to come and get checked and corrected (if needed) twice per month to ensure their body and nerve system are working and functioning at their optimal level possible. OAC offers affordable family care plans so everyone in the family has the opportunity to get checked and corrected to make sure their nerve systems are functioning at their optimum level.

Preferably after the birthing process. The birthing process is not only traumatic on the mother, but on the infant as well. In the majority of birthing cases, the baby's upper neck is twisted and pulled upon as he or she is existing the birth canal. Because of this traumatic event and the likelyhood that the atlas could be misaligned at birth, we believe that every newborn and mother should be given an opportunity to have their spines and nerve systems checked post-delivery. Ensuring a proper functioning nerve system is essential, especially for infants who are in their early stages of development. The nerve system is the "master” control system in the entire body. It communicates with every other system including organs, tissues, and cells. As the infant begins to develop, we believe that it is vital to check and make sure their bodies are working and functioning at their highest level. This is why your upper cervical chiropractic would tell you that the best time and age to start care is the moment you are born.

There are several recommendations to help you stay in alignment when being under upper cervical care. Please watch Dr. Kyle's educational video below.