NUCCA
NUCCA Technique
Children and NUCCA Care
Pregnancy and NUCCA Care
NUCCA,which
stands for the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association,
is a specialty within chiropractic. The NUCCA procedure is a safe
and painless method to correct the spine without drugs or surgery.
NUCCA is a unique form of Chiropractic spinal health care which
uses a specific procedure focused on correcting a small misalignment
of the upper neck know as the Atlas Subluxation Complex. This
subtle correction ultimately restores optimal balance to the entire
spinal column. Because the spinal column protects the central
nervous system that controls and coordinates all body functions,
good spinal balance is critical to good health.
Extensive research and clinical studies show that improved body
balance effectively reduces stress throughout the body and helps
to relieve pain and stress. Although the NUCCA correction is performed
on the neck, it affects the balance of the entire body.
In 1941, two chiropractors from Michigan, Dr. Ralph Gregory and
Dr. John Grostic Sr., joined together in developing a more accurate
method of rebalancing the body. This procedure has effectively
helped to reduced pain and discomfort and worked to enhance the
overall well being of many thousands of people. Their work proved
to be very successful and eventually other doctors and professions
have joined in their pursuit of studying the benefits of this
care. In 1986, President Ronald Reagan recognized NUCCA and its
founder, Dr. Ralph Gregory, for the organization's outstanding
commitment to natural, safe chiropractic care.
NUCCA Adjustment
The adjustment is performed with a gentle touch to the first vertebra
in the neck called the atlas. This is done by hand without popping
or twisting the spine. Even though the primary focus is the neck,
the effect of the correction influences the entire spine and every
system in the body. In fact, many conditions that occur throughout
the body are caused by slight misalignments of this vertebra,
due to its key position near the brainstem.
How It Works
This gentle approach is possible because of the precise x-ray
analysis using physics and biomechanics to calculate the exact
formula used for each spinal correction. No two adjustments are
the same; each one is calculated for the individual person with
over 10,000 combinations possible. The x-rays allows me to "see"
the exact misalignment of your spine and return it to its correct
position.
How Did I Get This Way?
Accidents, injuries, and daily stress build up over time and place
our bodies in an unbalanced position. This can be seen easily
in someone's posture; what most people miss is what is happening
on the inside. Amazingly, the body will continue to function,
many times without symptoms. But, in time, like a cavity that
goes untreated, the condition will get progressively worse.
How long will I need NUCCA Chiropractic Care?
After the initial spinal correction is made, and the spine returns
to a normal balanced position, the acute symptoms will begin to
alleviate. The body will then enter into a recovery cycle where
it begins to stabilize into a new balanced position. Once the
body is stabilized and begins holding its alignment, it takes
about one month to recover for every year the spine has been misaligned,
providing that the correction is maintained. After this recovery
period has been achieved nearly all patients have discovered the
value of maintaining their spinal correction and choose to stay
in alignment the rest of their life. Keep in mind, however, everyone
heals at their own pace, depending on their overall health, past
injuries and current activities.
Why Choose NUCCA Care?
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Full spine structural corrections can be achieved in contrast to the limited effects of general manipulation.
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Long-term improvements in health, comfort and well-being can be experienced, instead of only short-term relief.
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Adjustments can be fine tuned with precision to satisfy the individual needs of the patient.
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Fewer visits are required to achieve health goals.
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Unsurpassed gentleness and safety characterize this procedure.
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It has a 50-plus year clinical track record and the support of over 75 peer reviewed research papers - more than any other chiropractic technique.
Children and NUCCA Care
There
is a saying: "As the twig is bent, so grows the tree."
Why would a child have a spine and nervous system problem? Traumatic births. Learning to walk. Slips. Falls. The list is endless. Yet, because children have such an adaptive capacity, these problems are often brushed off as "growing pains" or just a "phase they're going through."
Dr. Abramson has treated newborns as young as 15 minutes old (his own). Most families bring their newborns in for a spinal check-up within about 2-3 weeks after birth. Why? If you think about it, the birth process can be traumatic to the baby. Contractions for hours, pushing by the mother and then there is the doctor. In a "normal" delivery, a doctor may exert an average of 30-40lbs of force on the baby's skull and neck. This is equivalent to an adult lying on the floor, and being lifted up by their head! The process may also involve twisting and torquing of a very elastic and shapeable infant spine. And if there are any complications, the use of vacuum extraction or forceps can add to the damage. Dr. Abramson believes it is very important to remove any form of nerve pressure form the new baby as soon as possible. By doing so, it may help minimize or eliminate any complications or health issues.
Common childhood ailments that have responded * to the NUCCA treatment include, but are not limited to:
ADD & ADHD
Ear infections
Headaches
Allergies and Asthma
Scoliosis
Autism
SIDS
Bed Wetting
Sleep Disorder
Colic
Ticks
Cerebral Palsy
*note: This is not a guarentee that these symptoms will be cured, just noting there have been many patients who have had very favorable results.
Many parents have commented that they see almost instant improvements in the well being of their child.
Pregnancy and NUCCA Care
During
his studies, Dr. Abramson placed special emphasis on the care
of the pregnant mother. Women who have had multiple children may
experience extreme low back and leg pain at any time. In particular,
as the mother approaches the third trimester, her body will release
a hormone called relaxin. This allows the ligaments of the birth
canal to expand, as well as the surrounding structures to shift.
The hormone just doesn't work within the birth canal region, but
all over the body, which could cause joint instability elsewhere,
resulting in various aches and pains.
Dr. Abramson has helped numerous mothers through their pregnancy,
the most common reason for return visits - "It has made my
pregnancy go faster and with less pain!"
Because the NUCCA Correction is classified as low-force chiropractic,
Dr. Abramson is able to treat with an extremely gentle pressure,
and there are no contra-indications to the adjustment (except
in cases of major traumatic fracture, cancer and spinal infections).
If you are a new patient and are pregnant, it is preferred to
get started after the 1st trimester (the more critical period
of neuro-development). Any x-rays are ONLY from the neck up, so
there is virtually no exposure to the fetus. And of course pregnant
patients still receive proper lead vest shielding just as a precautionary
measure. And finally, the NUCCA x-rays utilize lead filters placed
over the x-ray tube, which furthermore reduce exposure, making
these films safer than standard hospital films. If you would like
further information regarding x-ray safety with pregnancy, look
up the chapter regarding dental x-rays and pregnancy in the popular
book, What to Expect When Expecting.