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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NUCCA

NUCCA, which is an acronym for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, is a gentle but very specific technique for assessing and adjusting the upper neck.  We take our work very seriously and strive to create not only a balanced structure that you will feel, but one that can stabilize and remain balanced for as long as possible.

  • What is a short leg?
    One of the common measurements that we'll make is an assessment of leg length while laying down on the table face up. When the pelvis is properly positioned we expect to see a balanced leg length between right and left leg. In the case where there is a "short leg", what we are seeing is an imbalance in the leg length (comparing right to left) BECAUSE the pelvis is either tilted and/or rotated. We don't actually think that the leg is anatomically shorter on one side (although that can occur in rare cases), but rather we use it as a secondary assessment of the balance of the pelvis.
  • Why only adjusting at the top of the neck?
    NUCCA uses the upper cervical spine (C1/C2 Vetebra) as an access point to change the overall position of the spine. We believe that the position of the head and how it is supported by the neck is a vital piece of how your body sets the rest of the spine and pelvis' position. Generally speaking, the spine and pelvis are either in alignment top to bottom, or the entire spinal unit will be "off" in a compensated position. If adjusted correctly, we expect the results to be a balancing of the spine right through to the pelvis.
  • What conditions do we see in the office?
    We really do see a wide variety of conditions. For starters, head and neck issues such as migraines, headaches, chronic neck pain and tightness, poor neck range of motion and upper back chronic pain are very common. In addition to that, because of the natural compensation that will occur when the upper cervical spine is out of position, we almost always find an imbalance at the pelvis/hips when clients are out of alignment. Consequently, chronic low back pain, lumbar disc issues, sciatic or other leg based symptoms, as well as numbnesses in either the upper or lower extremity are common for us to see.
  • Additional FAQ
    Answer here
  • How long does it take to get results?
    Generally speaking we should have a good understanding of how well you will respond in the first 3 to 4 weeks. Although someone may need additional healing time to fully recover, there should be indicators during the first few weeks of follow up to let us know that we're on the right path to recovery. Misalignment of the spine will always include the muscle system that supports the spine and will typically give clients a "feeling" of change after balancing the spine. This at first could be a reduction of pain symptoms, improvements in range of motion or reduction in tension patterns, and will almost always be one of the first things to change. This is great, because most people will feel this and know that they're moving in the right direction.
  • Do you twist or crack the neck?
    No, NUCCA is an adjustment protocol that does not apply any rotation or tilting to the neck prior to adjusting, we always adjust in a neutral position. Because of this, we do not try to cause a crack (cavitation) of the joints of the neck. The pressure being applied to the neck while getting adjusted is surprisingly light.

CLINIC LOCATION

1160 Douglas Rd, Burnaby 
Suite 201
604-294-2304

    Opening Hours:

    Thursday: 9:30am - 6pm

    Friday: 8:30am - 5pm 

    ​​Saturday: 8am - 2pm
    (Every other Saturday) ​

    CONTACT

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