Finding the Best Chiropractor in Springfield, Illinois

If you’re searching for the best chiropractor in Springfield, you’re probably doing it for a reason. Maybe you’ve tried chiropractic care before and didn’t get the results you hoped for. Maybe you’ve been through physical therapy, medications, or specialist appointments that helped temporarily but didn’t solve the problem. Maybe someone in your life told you about upper cervical care and you want to know whether it’s worth a conversation.

Whatever brought you here, this page is meant to help you figure out whether Keystone Chiropractic and Dr. Frederick Schurger are the right fit for you — honestly, without pressure, and with enough information to make that decision confidently.

The truth is that no chiropractor is the best chiropractor for every patient. Different approaches work for different people and different conditions. What we can tell you is what makes Dr. Schurger’s approach different, who it tends to help most, and what you can expect if you decide to come in.

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Dr. Frederick Schurger, DC, DCCJP | Springfield, IL Chiropractor

Dr. Schurger has been practicing in Springfield since 2007 — which makes him one of the most experienced upper cervical specialists in Central Illinois. But experience alone doesn’t explain why patients drive from Chatham, Rochester, Jacksonville, Lincoln, and across the region to see him. It’s the depth of his training and the precision of his approach.

He earned his Doctor of Chiropractic from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 2006, and brings an engineering degree from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology to a field that rewards precision. That background shows in how he works: methodically, with imaging and objective testing driving every decision.

Dr. Schurger is a Blair Upper Cervical Advanced Instructor — one of a small number of practitioners certified to teach the Blair technique to other doctors of chiropractic. In 2011, he received the Blair Chiropractor of the Year Award, selected by the President and senior board members of the Blair Chiropractic Members Association. In 2015, he completed the Diplomate in Chiropractic Craniocervical Junction Procedures (DCCJP) — a rigorous three-year post-doctoral program involving approximately 300 hours of advanced coursework, original research, and a three-day board examination. Very few chiropractors in the country hold this credential.

At Keystone Chiropractic, Dr. Schurger uses CBCT cone beam CT scanning, infrared thermography, and the NeckCare System — an FDA-listed device that objectively measures cervical range of motion, proprioception, and sensorimotor control. Together, these tools give him a level of clinical precision that most practices in Central Illinois simply don’t have access to.

Read Dr. Schurger’s full bio and credentials →

3 Traits of the Best Chiropractors in Springfield, IL

Whatever chiropractor you choose, there are a few things worth looking for. These aren’t specific to Keystone — they apply to any practice worth your time and trust.

1. The Best Chiropractors Listen

You may already know what it’s like to sit across from a doctor who isn’t really hearing you. It’s frustrating — and in a field where the history of how your symptoms started often matters as much as the symptoms themselves, it’s also a clinical problem.

If a chiropractor doesn’t take time to understand your situation before deciding how to help you, that’s a red flag. The best approach for a 35-year-old with post-concussion vertigo and the best approach for a 60-year-old with chronic neck arthritis are not the same — and no one who skips the listening step will know the difference.

At Keystone Chiropractic, your first visit is built around understanding your history before any care begins. Dr. Schurger takes the time to understand where you’ve been, what you’ve tried, and what you’re hoping to find — before any recommendation is made.

2. The Best Chiropractors Work With You

Chiropractic care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Someone coming in for chronic migraines has different goals than someone recovering from a whiplash injury or dealing with recurring vertigo. The best chiropractors build care plans around the individual patient — their condition, their history, and how their body actually responds to care.

At Keystone, every care plan is built from your specific imaging findings, thermography results, and NeckCare assessment data. There is no standard protocol applied to every patient. The adjustment Dr. Schurger delivers is specific to your anatomy — because no two spines are the same.

3. The Best Chiropractors Refer You Out If Necessary

A chiropractor who thinks they can help everyone with everything isn’t being honest with you. Upper cervical chiropractic is extraordinarily effective for a specific range of conditions — but it isn’t the answer to everything. If you present with something outside that range, the right move is a referral, not a sales pitch.

Dr. Schurger believes that being the best chiropractor for someone sometimes means helping them find care elsewhere. If your condition doesn’t respond as expected, or if it requires a different type of provider, he will tell you plainly and help you find the right next step. Honest guidance is part of quality care.

Who Tends to Do Best at Keystone Chiropractic

Keystone Chiropractic is a specialty practice. Dr. Schurger focuses on the upper cervical spine — and that focus means the practice is particularly well-suited for patients dealing with conditions where the brainstem, atlas, and axis are likely involved.

Patients who tend to get the most from care at Keystone include people dealing with:

Many of the patients who come to Keystone have already been through the standard referral chain — primary care, neurology, ENT, physical therapy — without resolution. That isn’t a disqualifier. In many cases, it’s exactly why upper cervical care ends up being the right answer: it addresses a root cause that the previous workup didn’t look for.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Why do people who have not gotten results elsewhere choose Dr. Schurger as their Springfield chiropractor?

Many patients who find their way to Keystone Chiropractic have already tried other chiropractors, physical therapy, medications, or even injections without lasting results. Dr. Schurger often helps people who feel stuck or frustrated because his approach looks deeper at how the upper cervical spine affects the nervous system. By focusing on the root cause rather than chasing symptoms, patients often experience changes they were told were not possible.

What makes Dr. Schurger different from other chiropractors in Springfield, IL?

Dr. Schurger practices Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic — a highly specialized and precise approach that is very different from traditional full spine chiropractic care. Instead of frequent twisting or cracking adjustments, he uses advanced 3D imaging, infrared thermography, and the NeckCare System to assess and correct alignment at the top of the neck. He is also one of the few practitioners in the country with the DCCJP — a post-doctoral diplomate credential in craniocervical junction procedures. This precision-focused method is one reason many people consider him the best chiropractor for their specific situation.

Is Upper Cervical Chiropractic a good option if traditional chiropractic did not help me?

Yes. Many patients searching for the best chiropractor in Springfield come to Keystone Chiropractic specifically because traditional chiropractic care did not give them the results they hoped for. Upper Cervical Chiropractic works differently by correcting the misalignment that interferes with brain-body communication. This often helps patients who did not respond to other approaches.

Who is a good fit for care at Keystone Chiropractic?

Keystone Chiropractic is often a great fit for people dealing with chronic headaches, migraines, vertigo, neck pain, post-concussion symptoms, or neurological issues. Patients who value a gentle, precise, and thoughtful approach to care tend to do especially well. Dr. Schurger focuses on people who want answers, not quick fixes.

What if I have been told there is nothing else that can be done for my condition?

This is a common story among patients who come to Keystone Chiropractic. Many were told their symptoms were something they would have to live with. While no chiropractor can promise results, Upper Cervical Chiropractic has helped many people regain hope by addressing underlying structural problems that were previously overlooked.

Does Dr. Schurger take time to listen and understand my situation?

Yes. One of the most common reasons patients choose Keystone Chiropractic is because Dr. Schurger takes the time to listen. Every patient story is different, especially those who have tried multiple treatments without success. Understanding your history, symptoms, and goals allows him to determine whether his approach is the right fit for you.

Will I receive the same treatment plan as everyone else?

No. Dr. Schurger builds each care plan around the individual patient, their condition, and how their body responds to care. The adjustment itself is calculated from your specific imaging findings — because no two spines are the same. This personalized approach is especially important for people who have not responded well to standardized treatment in the past.

What if chiropractic care is not the right solution for me?

Dr. Schurger believes that being the best chiropractor for someone sometimes means helping them find care elsewhere. If your condition does not respond as expected or requires a different type of provider, he will discuss appropriate next steps or referrals. Honest guidance is a key part of quality care.

How do I know if Keystone Chiropractic is the best chiropractor for me in Springfield?

The best chiropractor is the one whose approach matches your needs. That is why Keystone Chiropractic encourages people to explore the website, read reviews, and learn about Upper Cervical Chiropractic before scheduling. When patients understand how Dr. Schurger works, they can confidently decide if he is the right fit.

What should I expect at my first visit with Dr. Schurger?

Your first visit is focused on understanding your situation and determining whether Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help. This includes a detailed consultation, neurological and postural assessments, thermography, and specialized imaging when appropriate. The goal is clarity, not pressure. You will leave knowing what Dr. Schurger found and what, if anything, he recommends.

Ready to Find Out If Keystone Chiropractic Is Right for You?

You don’t need a referral. You don’t need a prior diagnosis. If you’ve been dealing with symptoms that haven’t responded to other care and you want to find out whether upper cervical chiropractic is the missing piece, the first step is a conversation.

Dr. Schurger serves patients from Springfield, Chatham, Rochester, Sherman, Riverton, Athens, Jacksonville, Lincoln, Taylorville, and across Central Illinois.

Schedule Your First Appointment at Keystone Chiropractic →

Or call us directly: (217) 698-7900

Keystone Chiropractic | 450 S Durkin Drive, Ste B, Springfield, IL 62704 | (217) 698-7900
Dr. Frederick Schurger, DC, DCCJP — Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractor serving Springfield and Central Illinois since 2007.

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