Telehealth Physical Therapy for Upper Cervical Instability

A 3 d image of the face and neck showing the blue area.

Visit our Pricing page for cost projections.

Your Neck Pain is Treatable!

Our telehealth physical therapy for upper cervical instability program conditions those with craniocervical instability (CCI) how to function without forward head posture.

You will be medically guided through 9 levels of neutral spine conditioning to break the faulty loading patterns contributing to your upper cervical instability. You will learn how to position your skull in its neutral positioning on C1 to strengthen the muscles that keep it there for safe progression into fitness.

The program does not contain any neck stretches; isometric neck stability exercises are prescribed only after you have demonstrated you can maintain neutral spine alignment while performing them. We are experts in teaching you the exercises, lifestyle modifications and joint clearing techniques required to restore healthy loading through your neck.

Purchase a $50 Tele-PT Screen to Get Started

Physical Wellness Milestones Required for Progression

The following lifestyle modification goals are set to help the "typical" clients make the changes needed to break their patterns for functioning with forward head and/or head tilt posture. Your goals may be adjusted to meet your lifestyle and needs. Links to suggested props and equipment below are designed to provide a visual of the product suggested, you can choose any product from any vendor you prefer.

ergonomic. Height adjustable desk or table sitting and standing pose of a man. Saddle chair

Week 1: During the first week of the Healthy Posture System_®, we are restoring your ability to access neutral spine alignment.

Lifestyle modification: Perform 4 seated chest lifts every hour then start the next hour sitting upright without back support for as long as you can.
Suggested Prop: Wedge pillow to promote upright sitting posture and a firm body pillow to help you sleep in neutral spine alignment.

Woman performing seated back stretch exercise on a chair.

Week 2: By the end of your second week of the program you will be getting in/out of chairs without forward head posture. Sitting upright without back support for 10+ minutes every hour.

Lifestyle modification: Getting into and out of a chair and start picking objects up off the floor without forward head posture using a hip hinge strategy.
Suggested Prop: An additional 6"x36" Foam Roller to support elbow when sleeping/relaxing/reading.

how to get in and out of a chair without forward head posture.

Week 3: At week 3 of the program, you will need to make some adjustments to your workstation to support your improved sitting posture.

Lifestyle modification: Raise you monitor 2" to 3" to promote your improved chest lift posture.
Suggested Prop: Adjustable stool to decrease your hip angle.
- Economic - link
- Medium priced - link
- Pricey - link

ergonomic. Saddle sitting chair and Height adjustable desk or table sitting and standing pose of a man. Healthy sitting pose

Week 4: By the end of the first month of the program you will be conditioned to pick objects off the floor with a hip hinge strategy to maintain neutral spine when lifting. You should be spending 20+ minutes every hour in neutral spine!

Lifestyle modification: Squatting and lunging to empty the dishwasher and dryer without forward head posture.
Suggested Prop: 1/2"x48" dowel stick to allow safe transition into the upper body workouts.

Week 6: At week 6 you will need to make some additional adjustments to your workstation to support your improved sitting posture. You should be spending 30+ minutes every hour in neutral spine alignment.

Lifestyle modification: Raise you monitor an additional 2" to 3" above eye level so that you have to maintain a Chest Lift to see the screen. The prevents you from using you eye gaze to account for slumping.
Suggested Prop: Adjustable desk to allow for a hybrid workstation.

ergonomic. Correct standing posture on height adjustable desk or table sitting and standing pose of a man. Healthy sitting pose

Week 8: By the end of your second month of the program you will be holding your cell phone without forward head posture. You should be spending 45+ minutes every hour in neutral spine alignment.

Lifestyle modification: hold your cell phone with you elbows in front of your rib cage. Perform all fitness exercises with elbows in front of rib cage to ensure healthy shoulder mechanics.
Suggested Prop: Spine Corrector to safely mobilize your lower thoracic spine each morning.

Week 6: Hold a cell phone without forward head posture.

Educational Resources Library

Commonly Asked Questions

A woman is playing wii boxing on the television.

What is the Healthy Posture System®?

What sets your program apart?

We have developed 9 levels of neutral spine conditioning to ensure you never do an exercise from collapsed posture. All workouts are password protected; you will only be progressed to the next level of the program when you have demonstrated the ability to do each exercise without losing neutral spine alignment.

We address every aspect of your daily routine to help you create a home and work environment that is conducive for functioning from healthy posture. We will address aspects of your daily routine you were not aware of that are contributing to your neck symptoms.

As a telehealth-based program, we will not be providing any manual therapy services. We will support your other levels of services with coaching on what exercises you should be doing and how to do them properly.

How do I know if it is safe for me?

You must purchase a $50 Tele-PT Posture Screen to start the program. During this screening a licensed and PT on Demand certified physical therapist will walk you through 4 movement screens. Depending on your performance the program will be prescribed, or it will not be prescribed with explanation and recommendations for follow-up care.

The program consists of 9 levels of neutral spine conditioning to ensure you never do an exercise from collapsed posture. All workouts are password protected; you will only be progressed to the next level of the program when you have demonstrated the ability to do each exercise without losing neutral spine alignment.

When should I start the program?

If you have forward head posture, you should start the program as soon as possible. We have a safe onboarding that can be performed at any level of your recovery journey.

The program requires that you participate in 2 online coaching sessions a week for the first month. You will be expected to complete an 8–12-minute workout twice daily for the first month as well.

It is best to start the program 6 weeks prior to any medical procedure to allow us sufficient time to condition you to go into that procedure neurologically conditioned for performing daily tasks without forward head posture. We can accomplish a majority of this conditioning within 4 weeks. Even one session prior to a scheduled medical procedure will have a large impact on your recovery.

What if I already have a Physical Therapist?

If you have a physical therapist (PT) that is teaching you neutral spine alignment and managing a graded program designed to strengthen your ability to function from healthy posture you do not need to do our program.

If your PT is only treating your symptoms and does not have neutral spine conditioning associated with their treatment, this program would be a great complement to that level of care.

How much does it cost?

Phase 1: Functional Mobility Phase
- A $600 Functional Mobility 8-pack is required (minimally) to safely complete the functional mobility phase of care. This purchase provides you with 8 online coaching sessions with a PT or PTA trained to safely progress you through the 3 sub-levels of this phase of care.
- You will have access to levels 1-3 Functional Mobility video library.
- You will condition yourself to perform daily tasks without forward head posture.
Phase 2: Neutral Spine Conditioning Phase
- A $400 Neutral Spine Conditioning 8-pack is required (minimally) to safely progress you through the Neck Stability Series. This purchase provides you with 8 online coaching sessions with PTA or Neutral Spine Conditioning Specialist to safely progress you through the 3 sub-levels of this phase of care.
- You will have access to levels 1-3 Neutral Spine Conditioning video library.
- You will condition yourself to perform all home and work tasks without faulty loading in your neck.
Phase 3: Functional Fitness Phase of Care
- A $200 Neutral Spine Conditioning 4-pack is required (minimally) to safely progress you through the Functional Fitness Series. This purchase provides you with 4 online coaching sessions with a Neutral Spine Conditioning Specialist to safely progress you through the 3 sub-levels of this phase of care.
- You will have access to levels 1-3 Functional Fitness video library.
- You will condition yourself to safely return to fitness, sport and recreational activities.

Can I bill my Insurance?

What equipment is neded?

Get Started

You will achieve the following functional milestones.

A blue square with the number 0 1 written on it.

Restore your ability to get into neutral spine alignment (week 1).

A blue square with the number 0 2 written on it.

Condition yourself to sit, stand and walk in a healthy posture (week 2).

A blue square with the number three written on it.

Organize your workspace to allow you to function from a healthy posture for 50% of your workday (week 3).

A blue square with the number four written on it.

Condition yourself to perform home and work tasks from neutral spine alignment (week 4).

A blue square with the number five written on it.

Perform fitness program without faulty loading in the neck and low back (week 6).

A blue background with the number six in white.

Perform sport and recreation activities from neutral spine alignment (week 8).