Episode Details

Upper cervical care sounds small, but its impact on your nervous system can be big. In this straight-talk episode of Mind Over Masculinity, Avik digs into how precise alignment at the top of the spine may influence headaches, sleep quality, stress response, and mental clarity. Dr. Ray Drury explains a simple mirror self-check for postural asymmetry, why brainstem signaling matters, and how to coordinate structural care alongside therapy, breathwork, and training. If you’re a founder, leader, or dad normalizing daily pain, this is a practical primer on listening to your body and acting on measurable signals—without the grind mindset.

About the guest  :

Dr. Ray Drury is a chiropractor specializing in upper cervical care, focusing on gentle, targeted adjustments intended to restore brain–body communication and support recovery from chronic symptoms.

Key takeaways:

• Upper cervical alignment can influence the brainstem’s communication with the body; disrupted signaling may show up as headaches, poor sleep, brain fog, or tension.

• Try this at-home mirror check: eyes closed → slowly turn head right/left → return to what feels like center → open eyes and look for uneven earlobes/shoulders or a nose subtly rotated. Visible asymmetry can be a prompt to seek a professional evaluation.

• Early changes people often track after targeted care: fewer or lighter headaches, improved neck/back range of motion, and better sleep; longer-term tracking includes energy, digestion, mood steadiness, and resilience.

• Burning out isn’t a badge of honor. Pair structural work with therapy, breathwork, sleep hygiene, and strength training to rebalance sympathetic/parasympathetic tone.

• If you’re already in therapy for anxiety or irritability, coordinate care: share goals and progress measures (sleep hours, headache frequency, HRV, reaction time) across providers.

• Action list: get evaluated, track sleep and symptoms weekly, adjust workstation/posture, and book the appointment you’ve delayed. This is about presence and clarity, not martyrdom.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information shared in this content—including discussions of chiropractic/upper cervical care, breathwork, mental health, and other wellness practices—is for educational and informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you heard or read here.

If you think you may be experiencing a medical emergency, call your local emergency number immediately.

No doctor–patient relationship is created by your use of or reliance on this content. References to specific practitioners, services, techniques, products, or studies are for information only and do not constitute endorsements or guarantees of outcomes. Individual results vary. Do not start, stop, or change any medication, supplement, or treatment without first consulting your licensed healthcare professional.

This content aims to align with platform community guidelines and avoids making claims of disease prevention, diagnosis, or cure.

Connect with the guest  :