Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, NUCCA chiropractic is safe for all ages. It is recommended for anyone to get their upper cervical alignment assessed to build a good foundation for health.

This is largely dependent on your symptoms, severity and how long you’ve had the problem. It also depends on how your body responds to the initial correction. We recommend a course of care that is catered to each individual case.

As your body begins to rebalance itself, you may experience temporary muscle soreness, stiffness or fatigue as your body adapts to the new posture. Some may experience immediate relief of symptoms. Every individual’s healing response is different and we encourage you to give your body time to unwind and heal.

Pain is often the last symptom to appear and the first to disappear. Your feeling may not always be an accurate indicator of whether you need an adjustment. Objective findings such as postural assessment, leg length inequality, and other neurological signs are used to determine whether an adjustment is needed.

No. The goal of NUCCA is to get your head and neck aligned so that your body can hold the correction and heal itself. The adjustment is only given when your body has slipped out of alignment. Holding the correction is what facilitates the healing process, not the frequency of adjustments.

When misalignments happen in the upper neck and head, our entire body compensates by twisting and tilting. To maintain its upright position, your body will present with altered biomechanics, uneven leg lengths and hip level which over time will wear and tear your body causing pain and discomfort. 

When we restore body balance by removing the interference and rebalancing of the head and neck, other areas can be restored due to realigning of proper structural integrity and function.

To get the maximum benefits from NUCCA care, we only ask that you follow the recommended treatment plan laid out for you. As your body starts to stabilize and strengthen in the intended alignment, you will be less dependent on our intervention and the visits will be spaced out. This is where you’ll need to make a decision in continuing your NUCCA care. 

Many patients decide to come in for check-ups periodically because they understand and value the benefits of proper upper cervical alignment and want to maintain what they have invested. Instead of addressing the problems as they arise, being under maintenance care will allow you to be preventative and proactive for future problems as well as taking a first step to reaching optimal health.

As a general rule of thumb, any head or neck movements beyond your normal range, repetitive movements such as looking up and down constantly, or even purposely trying to get a “pop” or “crack” from your neck should always be avoided. These movements are precursors for injuries to your upper neck and can contribute to aggravating your condition. 

In the initial phase of healing, you’re advised to avoid any jarring or strenuous activities. These include jumping, heavy weight lifting, or any head/neck stretches beyond your normal ranges as those activities can affect your alignment and hinder your recovery process. It is critical to let your body take time to rest and heal. Light walks are recommended at this time.

As your body starts to stabilize and maintain for longer in the intended alignment, you may start to add more complex movements to your exercise routine. Start with improving your general flexibility and then gradually move your way up to strengthening exercises to improve your endurance.