At Cripe Chiropractic, we believe in treating a patient’s mind and body through a more effective and less invasive style of chiropractic care. To do this, we specialize in upper cervical chiropractic care, which is commonly referred to as NUCCA and originates from the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association. The purpose of NUCCA is to better the relationship between the cervical spine and the rest of the central nervous system. By making small adjustments to help alleviate pressure on the nerves, we can greatly improve your health, improve the entire central nervous system, and eliminate various symptoms.

The upper cervical spine or neck plays a critical role in the functionality of the central nervous system as well as the health of the overall body. Since the central nervous system is responsible for the body’s movement, hormone functions, and even your primary senses (smell, taste, touch, etc.), having a healthy and properly aligned spine affects much more than your neck and back. Everyone, including adults and children of all ages, can greatly benefit from having a properly balanced body, which all begins with the upper cervical spine.

To begin treatment, we assess the patient’s spine and central nervous system to determine his or her full range of motion and functionality before any care or treatment plan is recommended. NUCCA treatment at Cripe Chiropractic is determined on a case-by-case basis and is only recommended for patients who will benefit from treatment to ensure measurable changes and proper care are possible. We are different from traditional chiropractic because we believe that the most impactful changes are only possible with a proactive, trackable treatment plan.

During your appointment, we will ask a few questions about your pain in the affected areas as well as obtain a detailed medical history. By gaining a better understanding of your needs, we can better tailor our NUCCA treatment for you. Once we determine that NUCCA is the best path forward, we begin by obtaining a new set of x-rays of your upper cervical spine. We believe that the technological documentation of your current status and the progress you make over time is essential to healing, and should be meticulously tracked so we can work together to understand how to eliminate your symptoms and improve your health..

The X-rays we take will reveal any structural compromise as well as a biomechanical misalignment. These X-rays act as a blue print so we can customize an adjustment that is specific to your misalignment. During NUCCA treatment, small and subtle pressure will be applied to C1 (the first bone in your neck) in order to restore the head and neck back to vertical. Once this has ocured, the balancing mechanism in the inner ear will activate a righting reflex in an attempt to adapt to the now proper position of the head and neck resulting in the spine and hips instantly shifting back underneath the head. Thus allowing posture to be restored and healing to be initiated!

All of this with NO TWISTING OR CRACKING of the spine!

Making gentle, specific, and precise adjustments to the upper cervical spine will allow the body to heal underlying, sensitive nerve problems, such as a nerve being “pinched” or the vertebrae being misaligned. This will then help restore proper function to your entire central nervous system and work to alleviate the symptoms and side effects of an array of symptoms including;

  • Low back pain
  • Neck Pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Sciatica
  • TMJ
  • Fullness in Ear
  • Headaches
  • Numbness & Tingling
  • Scoliosis
  • Vertigo
  • High Blood Pressure
  • Hormonal Imbalance

For more information on NUCCA or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us today at (949) 631-5171.