introducing:
neck care technology
What is the NeckCare System?
The NeckCare System is a computerized assessment tool that evaluates how your neck and nervous system are functioning. Because the neck plays a vital role in balance, posture, movement, and communication between the brain and body, changes in neck function can impact how you feel and move.
Using a series of simple tests, the system measures things like range of motion, balance, coordination, strength, and proprioception (your body's awareness of position and movement). These objective measurements help establish a baseline, monitor progress over time, and evaluate changes before and after care.
At The Catalyst Spine Co., we use the NeckCare System to look beyond symptoms and gain a better understanding of how your body is functioning—because when function improves, people often notice improvements in how they feel, move, and perform in everyday life.
Range of Motion Assessment
How well is your body moving?
Range of motion testing helps evaluate how freely and comfortably your neck moves in different directions. Restrictions in movement can develop from stress, posture habits, previous injuries, repetitive activities, or areas of spinal dysfunction.
During this assessment, we'll measure movements such as turning your head, looking up and down, and bending side to side. This provides objective information about how your body is functioning rather than relying solely on how you feel.
Why is this important?
Limited range of motion can affect everyday activities such as driving, working at a computer, exercising, sleeping comfortably, and even maintaining proper balance and coordination. Reduced movement may also indicate that the body is compensating for underlying dysfunction.
How is it used before and after an adjustment?
Range of motion testing can be performed both before and after an adjustment to help identify changes in movement and function. By comparing these measurements, we can objectively assess how your body responds to care and track progress over time.
Many patients notice:
Easier movement
Less stiffness
Improved comfort with daily activities
A greater sense of mobility and freedom of movement
The goal isn't simply to move further—it's to help your body move more efficiently and with less restriction.
Joint Position Error Assessment
How accurately is your brain sensing your body's position?
Joint Position Error (JPE) testing evaluates proprioception—the body's ability to sense where it is in space without having to look. This is especially important in the neck, where specialized receptors constantly send information to the brain about head position, movement, and balance.
During this assessment, you'll be asked to move your head and then return it to a specific starting position. The system measures how accurately you can return to that position, providing insight into how well your brain and body are communicating.
Why is this important?
When proprioception is impaired, the brain may receive less accurate information about body position and movement. This can contribute to issues such as:
Poor posture
Neck tension and stiffness
Headaches
Dizziness or balance concerns
Reduced coordination
A feeling of being "off" or less stable
How is it used before and after an adjustment?
Joint Position Error testing can be performed before and after an adjustment to evaluate changes in proprioceptive function. Improvements in accuracy may indicate more efficient communication between the neck, nervous system, and brain.
By tracking these measurements over time, we can objectively monitor changes in function and better understand how your body is responding to care.
Sensorimotor Control Assessment (Butterfly Test)
How well are your brain and body working together?
Sensorimotor control refers to the process of the brain receiving information from the body, interpreting that information, and coordinating an appropriate movement response. In simple terms, it's how well your nervous system can sense, process, and respond to movement.
The neck plays a major role in this process because it contains thousands of receptors that constantly send information to the brain about head position, posture, and movement. The brain uses this information to help coordinate balance, stability, eye movements, and overall body control.
During the Butterfly Test, you'll use head movements to follow a moving target on the screen. The test evaluates how accurately and smoothly your neck and nervous system work together to guide movement.
Why is this important?
When sensorimotor control is not functioning efficiently, the brain may receive inaccurate information about body position and movement. This can contribute to:
Poor posture
Neck tension and stiffness
Headaches
Dizziness or balance concerns
Reduced coordination
Slower reaction times
A feeling of instability or being "off"
How is it used before and after an adjustment?
The Butterfly Test can be performed before and after an adjustment to evaluate changes in movement control and coordination. Improvements may indicate that the nervous system is processing information more efficiently and coordinating movement more effectively.
By tracking these measurements over time, we can objectively monitor changes in function and observe how your body responds to care.
Continue Your Progress at Home
NeckCare Home
Your progress doesn't stop when you leave the office. NeckCare Home allows you to complete personalized exercises from the comfort of your own home using your phone, tablet, or computer—no additional equipment required.
Based on your assessment results, specific exercises may be recommended to help improve areas such as mobility, posture, balance, proprioception, and movement control. The platform uses your device's camera to guide you through each exercise while tracking your movements in real time.
After each session, your progress is automatically recorded and shared with our office, allowing us to monitor your improvement and make adjustments to your program as needed.
NeckCare Home is an optional service available for patients who would benefit from guided home rehabilitation and is offered for an additional fee. If recommended, pricing and program details will be discussed with you prior to enrollment.
Ready to Learn More?
At The Catalyst Spine Co., we believe that understanding your body is the first step toward improving it. The NeckCare System gives us objective information about how your neck and nervous system are functioning so we can better track progress and guide care.
Book your initial visit today and discover how your body is moving, adapting, and functioning.