Our Approach

"The Keystone Neuro-Cervical Approach"

At Keystone, we don’t just “treat the neck” or “treat the brain.”
We use a structured framework—the Keystone Neuro-Cervical Approach—to look at how your upper neck, balance system, eye movements, and overall nervous system are working together.

This approach was built from research, for people whose headaches, dizziness, neck-related symptoms, or post-concussion issues have persisted despite “normal” scans and multiple prior providers.

Why we built this approach

Many of our patients arrive with a familiar story:

Multiple specialists, medications, and therapies

MRI, CT, or X-rays reported as "normal," "unremarkable," or "unchanged"

Symptoms that you clearly feel in the neck, and change with position, posture, or strain

A sense that no one has really connected the dots between the neck, vision, balance systems

The Keystone Approach was built to answer a simple question:

“What if we carefully study the upper neck as both a mechanical structure and a sensory input into the balance and visual systems—and build care around that?”

To do that, we integrate upper cervical biomechanics, advanced imaging,
and neuro-vestibular / neuro-visual testing into one system, instead of treating each in isolation.

The 3 Pillars of the Keystone Approach

Upper Cervical Biomechanics & Imaging

We focus on the very top of your neck, where the first two bones (C1–C2) support your head. Routine imaging commonly lacks the sensitivity needed to assess the position and integrity of this wedge area.

The Keystone Approach provides:

Detailed analysis of how the head sits on the upper cervical spine

Use of Cone Beam CT (CBCT) when appropriate to see 3D joint relationships and variations

Assessment of motion, restriction, and mechanical stress in the upper cervical joints

Gentle, instrument-based corrections targeted to individual anatomy and joint mechanics

These are things we can see and measure in imaging and movement testing.

Neuro-vestibular & Neuro-visual Integration

The upper neck sends powerful position-sense signals into the balance and eye-movement centers. When that information doesn’t match what the inner ear and eyes are reporting, feelings like dizziness, off-balance, foggy, or “off” can occur.

We evaluate:

Balance and postural control using force-plate and stance testing

Eye movements (pursuits, saccades,
gaze stability,
optokinetic responses) using objective tracking

Symptom changes with specific head and neck positions, both at rest and in movement

How visual-vestibular tasks are tolerated in
real-world-like conditions

This helps us see whether your neck, inner ear, and visual systems are working together ... or fighting each other.

Sensorimotor Stability & Independence

Correcting the upper neck is important, but it’s not the end of the story. Especially with modern lifestyles, postures, and injuries, the brain, neck, and balance system need to re-learn a more stable pattern for long-term improvement.

The Keystone Approach includes:

Exercises and strategies to reinforce better head-neck alignment and movement

Neuro-vestibular and visual drills tailored to your findings and tolerance

Simple home strategies to support posture, neck mechanics, and recovery

A plan to reduce visit frequency over time as you stabilize

The goal is not endless in-office care. It's measurable change and long-term independence.

How this differs from typical care

Most of our patients have already tried at least two of these:

Primary care or neurology visits focused on medications and ruling out serious disease

ENT or vestibular testing focused only on the inner ear

Physical therapy focused on general strengthening and balance

Traditional chiropractic focused on global spinal alignment or frequent, broad adjustments

Those approaches are often valuable, but they may not:

Use 3D imaging of the upper cervical spine

Look closely at how neck position affects balance and eye movements

Integrate joint mechanics, balance, and visual tracking into one plan

Offer extended, one-on-one time with a provider who lives in this niche

The Keystone Neuro-Cervical Approach is designed specifically to fill that gap,
not replace every other provider you’ve seen.

How we measure and track change

Because this approach is built around things we can observe and test,
we rely on more than just “how you feel today.”

Depending on your case, your evaluation and follow-ups may include:

CBCT imaging of the upper cervical spine (when appropriate)

Range-of-motion and joint position testing

Balance and stance testing

Eye-movement and visual tracking assessments

Symptom scales and functional questionnaires

This lets us see not only whether you feel better,
but how your mechanics and sensorimotor function are changing.

How the Keystone Approach fits into our 4-step process

You may have seen our 4-step process on the homepage.
The Keystone Approach is the engine inside that process.

Step 1

Complimentary Discovery Call

We begin with a focused conversation about your history, symptoms, and prior evaluations/treatments to determine whether our approach aligns with your needs. This is done by phone, so you can speak from the comfort of your own environment.

Result: You'll know whether your case fits what we do—and we'll tell you honestly if it doesn't.

Step 2

Advanced Diagnostic Evaluation

If we move forward, we perform detailed assessments including CBCT imaging, neuro-visual evaluations, and balance testing. This provides a clear picture of what's going on and how far-reaching the issue may be.

Result: You'll finally get a clear, visual explanation of what's going on in your upper neck and related systems.

Step 3

Precision Treatment with an Intensive Approach

We use gentle, instrument-based upper cervical corrections plus targeted visual, balance, and neurological therapies tailored to your unique findings.

Result: Treatment focuses on the actual drivers of your symptoms—not just chasing flare-ups.

Step 4

Health Independence

We monitor your progress, adjust the plan as you improve, and gradually reduce visit frequency as you stabilize.

Result: The goal is long-term stability and self-reliance, not ongoing dependence on in-clinic treatment.

Who is this approach for

This approach is especially suited for people who:

Have ongoing headaches, dizziness/vertigo, neck pain, facial pain, or jaw/TMJ issues

Have had imaging reported as “normal” or “unchanged”

Notice at least some connection between symptoms and head/neck position, posture, or strain

Have tried other reasonable treatments and are still looking for a clearer explanation and plan

If that sounds like you, this may be the level of detail your case has been missing.

What to do next

If you feel like your situation matches what you’ve read here, the next step isn’t to guess whether this approach will work for you, it’s to have a focused conversation.

A complimentary Discovery Call with Dr. Bearder is where we:

Review your story and what you’ve already tried

Decide together whether the Keystone Approach is a good fit

Outline what an evaluation would look like, including costs, if we move forward

If you're ready for that level of clarity, your next step is simple.

Schedule a Discovery Call