QSM3 stands for Quantum Spinal Mechanics³. It's an advanced upper cervical chiropractic technique — a progression of NUCCA. Unlike traditional chiropractic that focuses on the area of pain, QSM3 uses the upper cervical spine (the top of the neck) as a lever to correct the entire body's structural alignment and nervous system function. Dr. Lazar holds one of only 8 board certifications in this method in the world.

The Lazar Method is Dr. Lazar's systematic 5-step approach to full-body postural correction: (1) Analyze the structural and neurological interference, (2) Correct the upper cervical misalignment, (3) Restore the body's natural posture and balance, (4) Rehabilitate the supporting musculature, (5) Maintain and optimize through ongoing care. It's a comprehensive health restoration program, not just a pain-relief treatment.

Upper cervical care focuses on the top two bones of the spine — the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) — which sit right at the base of the skull. These two vertebrae surround and protect the brainstem. When they're misaligned, they can interfere with the nervous system's communication throughout the entire body. A precise correction at the top of the spine can have a cascading positive effect on posture, pain, organ function, and overall health. Importantly, QSM3 corrections are extremely gentle — no cracking or twisting.

We do our best to accommodate urgent needs — please call us directly and we'll do our best to get you in as soon as possible. Our first appointment is a full consultation and examination, so we do need some advance notice to prepare properly. For same-day, call the office and we'll check availability.

Patients come to us with a wide range of conditions — many of which haven't responded to other treatments. Common reasons include: chronic headaches and migraines, neck and back pain, sciatica, dizziness and vertigo, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, TMJ, scoliosis, dysautonomia (POTS, orthostatic hypotension), numbness and tingling, and general postural dysfunction. That said, we don't treat conditions — we identify and correct structural and neurological interference that may be contributing to those issues. Results vary.

Dysautonomia is a dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system — the part of your nervous system that controls automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure, digestion, and temperature regulation. Conditions like POTS fall under this umbrella. Because QSM3 works directly on the brainstem and upper cervical spine — where the autonomic nervous system is largely regulated — many patients with dysautonomia-related symptoms have experienced significant improvement. Dr. Lazar would want to do a full examination to assess whether structural interference may be a contributing factor.

Your first visit is a full consultation and examination. It includes: (1) A detailed health history and conversation with Dr. Lazar about what you've been experiencing, (2) An Insight Subluxation Station nerve scan — a non-invasive computerized scan that measures nerve function, muscle tension, and heart rate variability, (3) A Posture IQ structural assessment — we have 2 of only 8 Posture IQ systems in the world, which creates a precise 3D map of your posture and structural imbalances, (4) Digital Motion X-rays if indicated — these show how your spine moves, not just a static image. Budget about 60–90 minutes for this first visit.

Your Report of Findings (ROF) is your second appointment, usually scheduled 1–3 days after your examination. Dr. Lazar reviews all your results — the nerve scans, posture assessment, X-rays, and health history — and creates a complete picture of what he found. He then presents this to you clearly, answers your questions, and if care is appropriate, explains exactly what he'd recommend and why. There's no pressure — the ROF is about giving you real information so you can make an informed decision.

The Insight Subluxation Station is a computerized diagnostic system that measures three things: (1) Surface EMG — muscle tension patterns along the spine that indicate neurological stress, (2) Thermal scan — temperature asymmetries along the spine that reflect autonomic nervous system imbalances, (3) Heart Rate Variability (HRV) — a measure of your nervous system's overall adaptability and stress load. It's completely non-invasive, painless, and takes about 10–15 minutes. The results give Dr. Lazar an objective baseline — and they're used to track your progress over time.

Posture IQ is an advanced 3D postural analysis system — we are one of only a handful of practices in the world with this technology (there are only 8 systems globally, and we have 2). It creates a precise structural map of how your body is balanced and aligned — from head to feet. This allows Dr. Lazar to see exactly where and how your posture has been compensating, and to measure real structural change over the course of your care.

Several things set us apart: (1) We're upper cervical specialists — we don't crack or pop the neck or back. Corrections are precise, gentle, and specific. (2) We use objective diagnostic technology (nerve scans, Posture IQ, Digital Motion X-ray) to measure — not guess — what's happening in your nervous system and structure. (3) We're working on the cause, not the symptom. (4) Dr. Lazar holds one of only 8 board certifications in QSM3 in the world. (5) We're a cash-based practice — which means our care recommendations are based on what you need, not what insurance will approve. Most of our patients have seen multiple other providers without lasting results before finding us.

We are a cash-based practice, which means we don't bill insurance directly. However, we can provide you with a Superbill — a detailed receipt — that you can submit to your insurance for potential out-of-network reimbursement, depending on your plan. Many of our patients receive partial reimbursement. We've found that being outside the insurance system allows Dr. Lazar to make care decisions based entirely on what's best for you — not what insurance will approve. We're happy to talk through your options.

Dr. Lazar determines the appropriate care plan after your full examination and Report of Findings — so we don't quote care plan costs before that visit because it wouldn't be accurate. What we can tell you is that we offer a membership model: Platinum (weekly, 4x/month), Gold (biweekly, 2x/month), and Silver (monthly, 1x/month). All memberships include adjustments, nerve scans, and X-rays as needed. The right membership for you depends on what Dr. Lazar finds and recommends. Let's get you in first so you have real information to make that decision.

We collect a $67 fully refundable deposit to hold your consultation and examination appointment. This deposit is applied toward your first visit — so it's not an additional cost. It simply ensures the appointment is reserved for you. If for any reason you need to cancel, the deposit is fully refunded.

That's something Dr. Lazar discusses directly with each patient at their Report of Findings — because it varies based on what's found during the examination. What we can say is that most patients begin noticing changes within the first few weeks of consistent care. The nervous system and structure need time to respond and stabilize, which is why frequency matters — especially in the beginning. Dr. Lazar will give you a realistic expectation at your ROF based on your specific findings.

We're located in Ann Arbor, MI. Visit drlazar.com for the current address, directions, and office hours. You can also email us at hello@lazarspinalcare.com. The best way to schedule is to call us directly or use the booking link on our website.