Stuck in Fight-or-Flight? Struggling with POTS or Dysautonomia?
Here's How Upper Cervical Care Optimizes Your Vagus Nerve.
$99 Balanced Living New Patient Exam — Consultation, Full Exam & 3D Digital X-Rays.
Serving Rochester Hills & Metro Detroit for 25+ years.
Does This Sound Familiar?
- Heart racing or pounding the second you stand up — or for no reason at all?
- Lightheaded, dizzy, or feeling like you might pass out through the day?
- Constant anxiety, a wired-but-tired feeling, or a nervous system that won't shut off?
- Brain fog, poor focus, and mental fatigue that isn't fixed by sleep?
- Digestive issues — bloating, IBS, reflux, or a gut that overreacts to everything?
- Poor sleep, low HRV, or waking up already exhausted?
- Temperature dysregulation — cold hands and feet, night sweats, flushing?
- Exercise intolerance and post-exertional crashes that used to be no big deal?
- Been told your labs are "normal" — but you know something is off?
Your nervous system may be stuck in overdrive — and there's often a structural reason why.
How Upper Cervical Care Optimizes Vagus Nerve Function
Most autonomic care manages the symptoms. Here's how corrective upper cervical chiropractic addresses the structural interference that can keep your nervous system stuck in overdrive.
The C1/C2–Brainstem–Vagus Connection
Your vagus nerve exits the skull inches from the top two vertebrae. When C1 and C2 shift, they can irritate the brainstem and interfere with the autonomic signals that regulate heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and stress response.
We Measure — We Don't Guess
Precise 3D digital X-rays measured to the millimeter and degree. You see exactly what's out of place, how it may be affecting your autonomic function, and what a correction actually looks like.
Gentle, Precise Corrections
NUCCA, Orthospinology, and Activator — no twisting, no popping, no cracking. Low-force adjustments designed for sensitive nervous systems already in overdrive.
Pre & Post X-Rays Prove the Work
We re-measure to confirm the correction held. You don't have to guess whether your body is finally getting what it needs — the imaging shows the change.
Book Your $99 New Patient Exam
Contact us — we'll take it from there.
450+ Five-Star Reviews from Metro Detroit
"My nervous system felt like it was constantly stuck in overdrive — racing heart, anxiety, poor sleep. After working with Dr. Cicala I feel calmer than I have in years. I can actually take a full breath again."
"Dr. Cicala found things on my X-rays that no one had ever looked at. He explained the connection to my autonomic symptoms in plain English. The dizziness and lightheadedness I'd fought for years is dramatically better."
"I came in exhausted, foggy, and reactive to everything. The upper cervical work is gentle — no cracking — and my energy, digestion, and sleep have all improved. I finally feel like myself."
"Warm, professional, and straight to the point. I knew exactly what my plan was, what it would cost, and how long it would take. My heart rate is more stable and I'm not white-knuckling my day anymore."
"The most thorough exam I've ever had. Dr. Cicala actually took the time to figure out why my body was so dysregulated instead of just handing me another supplement."
"Best chiropractic care I've ever received. If you're dealing with autonomic issues, chronic anxiety, or a nervous system that won't settle — go see Dr. Cicala."
$99 Balanced Living New Patient Exam
Here's What's Included
- Initial Consultation$75
- Full Neurological & Structural Exam$150
- 3D Digital X-Rays (if clinically necessary)$100+
- Personalized Report of Findings$50
Federal insurance exclusions may apply. Ask the front desk for details.
Three Simple Steps to Real Autonomic Relief
- 1
See Exactly What's Going On
A sit-down consultation, a full autonomic and structural exam, and 3D X-rays measured to the millimeter — so you get real answers about why your nervous system is stuck.
- 2
Get a Personalized Plan
Dr. Cicala walks you through what's driving your symptoms and a clear correction plan with a beginning, middle, and end — no pressure, no confusion.
- 3
Get Your Nervous System Back
Calmer heart rate. Better sleep. Steadier digestion. Show up for work, workouts, and your family without your body running the show.
Everything We Use to Optimize the Vagus Nerve — Under One Roof
Your plan is built from the tools that actually match your exam findings — no cookie-cutter care, no unnecessary add-ons.
Upper Cervical Correction (NUCCA)
Precise, low-force adjustments to the C1 vertebra — measured on X-ray, held with millimeter accuracy.
Removes brainstem-level interference where vagus nerve signaling starts.
Orthospinology & Activator
Gentle instrument-based techniques for patients who don't want twisting, popping, or cracking.
Delivers precise correction without overstimulating an already dysregulated nervous system.
3D Digital X-Ray Analysis
Measured to the millimeter and degree, with pre and post imaging to confirm the correction held.
Removes the guesswork — you see exactly what's structurally driving your autonomic symptoms.
Neurological & Autonomic Exam
A full nerve, balance, posture, and postural blood-pressure/heart-rate assessment.
Identifies the autonomic drivers that most standard exams never check for.
Functional Medicine Support
Nutrition, hydration, sleep, and stress-load coaching for patients whose triggers go beyond the spine.
Addresses the lifestyle inputs that keep the vagus nerve down-regulated.
Home Care & Ergonomic Coaching
Simple daily habits — pillow, screen height, breathing, posture — you can do between visits.
Keeps the correction holding so your nervous system can keep re-regulating.
Dr. Richard Cicala, D.C.
Dr. Cicala has spent 25+ years helping people in Rochester Hills and Metro Detroit get their nervous systems back — from chronic anxiety and dysautonomia to POTS-like symptoms and the wired-but-tired states that come with them. He graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa, and is certified in NUCCA, Orthospinology, and Activator — gentle upper cervical techniques that don't involve twisting, popping, or cracking.
His approach is simple: use a real exam and precise 3D X-rays to find which vertebra is out of place and how it's affecting your autonomic function, explain it in plain English, then correct it — so your body can finally drop out of fight-or-flight.
- Doctor of Chiropractic
- Vagus Nerve & Autonomic Focus
- Palmer College Graduate
- 25+ Years Experience
Everything you might be wondering.
- The vagus nerve is the main highway of your parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) nervous system. It regulates heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, breathing, and how quickly you can drop out of fight-or-flight. When it's not firing well, your body stays stuck in overdrive — anxious, wired, and worn out.
Ready to finally give your nervous system a real answer?
Book your $99 Balanced Living New Patient Exam — consultation, full exam, and 3D digital X-rays. Rochester Hills and Metro Detroit patients welcome.
Balanced Living Chiropractic — Rochester Hills, MI
Office Hours
- Monday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Wednesday9:00 AM – 1:00 PM, 3:00 – 6:00 PM
- Thursday8:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 2:00 – 5:00 PM
- FridayClosed
- SaturdayClosed
- SundayClosed