FAQs About NUCCA

Before care begins we want to be certain that we understand what your needs are. This will be accomplished by a detailed consult, followed by a precise examination. The examination is comprised of a review of your health history, postural examination, gravity stress analysis and digital x-rays, if necessary. If the consultation and exam results indicate that NUCCA care is right for you, the Doctor will then discuss the appropriate care plan. If the Doctor does not think that we can help, we will make the appropriate suggestions and point you in the right direction.

No. Healing does not come from an adjustment. The adjustment restores balance and removes interference, which enables the body to heal. If your symptoms are a direct result of your spinal misalignment, you will experience some relief immediately after your first correction. Recovery from the long-term effects of your spinal misalignment, however, takes longer, roughly one month for each year the spine has been misaligned. Pain is usually relieved almost immediately and it completely disappears as you recover. Conditions recover at different intervals based upon the amount of time it takes for the symptomatic tissue to replicate itself. The lifestyle and compliance of the patient also play a major role in this recovery. Initially, you may need more frequent visits to begin holding your adjustments. As you progress and hold this new alignment, we then lengthen the amount of time between your visits.

Injuries and traumas can cause spinal misalignments,exacerbate a pre-existing condition and/oradd stressto the body but, so can daily living activities. From physical, emotional, chemical stressors,we are subject to our environment and must continually adjust to it. Within our environment, “stressors”, disease-producing organisms, pollutants, poisons, and other irritants to which the body is subject to is forced to adapt. If the body fails to adapt to these stressors, the body’s breakdown process begins.

If you have a spine and a nervous system you should be checked. Maintaining a properly functioning musculoskeletal system and proper spinal hygiene is essential to your overall health and wellbeing. It is the equivalent of routine dental check-ups or changing the oil and filter in your car. What we recommend for you will be specific to you and likely completely different than what we would recommend to your spouse, child or co-worker.

Most subluxations have existed for years, causing harm to the nervous system and its control of the bodily functions. When the subluxation is removed by the adjustment, repair to the damage caused must take place before you can recover. Repair of the tissue takes time. About 90% of people we see notice a change in how their bodies feel following the initial correction. Over the next 3 to 21 days most patients notice considerable relief of their acute symptoms. Over the first 90 days their bodies will go through considerable structural and neurological change. It is this process of change (recovery) that moves our bodies from a state of poor health to a state of being well.

Your schedule of care is based on the magnitude and severity of your subluxation and your body’s response to the NUCCA Correction. Each person is different, and everyone’s healing response is different.

We give each practice member an estimate on how long their recovery may take after the initial exam and will have an even better idea after 2-3 visits. Visits will be spaced out based on the rate of improvement.

Once we have improved or resolved their initial health challenges, most practice members decide to come in for monthly spine checkups to maintain their correction, to reduce future episodes and for better overall health.

Because NUCCA is extremely gentle, there are few contraindications for this type of adjustment. Before we start your adjustment, Dr. Portela will make sure that you understand what we’re going to do and how we’ll target your concerns. As soon as the NUCCA Correction is made and body imbalance is restored, IMMEDIATELY, muscles begin to relax, blood and oxygen circulation is increased, healing messages are transmitted from the brain to the affected area and the body’s self-healing process begins.

Absolutely! Many of our patients have come to us to prevent spinal surgery. Some have been told they had no other option than to get surgery. We have seen patients who have already had surgery, but still have their original symptoms, or new ones. We are not opposed to surgery when necessary but many times, it can be avoided by correcting the spinal misalignment. Anything that cannot recover completely may require rehabilitation. Surgery can become necessary for anything that cannot recover or be rehabilitated.

Our procedure is safe if you have had laminectomies, fused vertebrae, or disc removal. We have a very conservative approach to spine and spine-related problems. Drug therapy only masks symptoms, allowing the problem to worsen.

Upper cervical chiropractic care is a natural choice for improving the life of small children and babies, especially those who experienced a difficult birth. The best time to have your spine corrected is right after it happens. For a lot of us, injuries happen when we are little. Children who have suffered from traumatic injuries or experienced neurological symptoms that may indicate their spine is misaligned (ear infections, bradycardia, asthma, allergies, etc.) should be checked! Bring your child in for a complimentary spinal evaluation. Help them grown into happy, healthy adults.

Generally, both babies and small children respond quickly to upper cervical adjustments. Our gentle approach with NUCCA is very safe and appropriate for their small bodies.