What Is NUCCA Upper Cervical Care?
A gentle, science-backed approach that corrects the root cause of your pain by realigning the atlas vertebra — without any twisting, popping, or cracking.
The Atlas: Your Body's Master Switch
The atlas (C1) vertebra sits at the very top of your spine, directly beneath your brainstem. It weighs just two ounces — but it supports the entire weight of your head (10–13 pounds) and protects the highway of nerve signals between your brain and body.
When the atlas shifts even a fraction of a millimeter out of alignment, it can compress nerves, restrict blood flow, and trigger a cascade of symptoms: migraines, vertigo, numbness, anxiety, brain fog, and chronic pain that seems to have no explanation.
This misalignment often goes undetected by standard medical tests. That's where NUCCA comes in.
How NUCCA Compares
NUCCA is fundamentally different from what most people picture when they think of chiropractic care.
| Feature | NUCCA Care | General Chiropractic |
|---|---|---|
| Gentle — no twisting or cracking | ✓ | ✗ |
| Precision imaging before every correction | ✓ | ✗ |
| Targets root cause (atlas misalignment) | ✓ | Varies |
| Sub-millimeter accuracy | ✓ | ✗ |
| Corrections hold longer between visits | ✓ | Often requires frequent visits |
| Safe for all ages | ✓ | ✓ |
What to Expect During a NUCCA Visit
Our process is methodical, transparent, and completely comfortable.
Precision Imaging
We take specialized X-rays to measure your exact misalignment down to fractions of a degree. This isn't guesswork — it's engineering.
The Correction
Using calculated vectors unique to your anatomy, your doctor applies a gentle, sustained pressure just behind the ear. Most patients describe it as a light touch — many don't realize the correction has happened.
Post-Check & Monitoring
We verify alignment with post-correction imaging and track your progress over time. Each visit builds on the last, with corrections that hold longer as your body stabilizes.
Thrive Care: Where Relief Becomes a Lifestyle
Getting out of pain is just the beginning. Our Thrive Care program is designed to help your body hold its corrections, build resilience, and stay healthy for the long term.
Through scheduled check-ups, progress tracking, and personalized wellness guidance, Thrive Care ensures that the relief you feel today doesn't fade tomorrow. It's the difference between a quick fix and a genuine transformation.
Every patient at Ennis Chiropractic has access to Thrive Care — because lasting health shouldn't be optional.