NUCCA is a form of upper cervical chiropractic that focuses on the atlas, the top vertebra in the neck, and corrects its position with a light, hand-delivered adjustment. The name comes from the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association, the organization that developed and teaches the method. Below are seven ways NUCCA care differs from the chiropractic most people picture, followed by five Fort Wayne chiropractic offices, starting with Atlas Chiropractic.
- Atlas Chiropractic
- Allen County Chiropractic Wellness Center
- Fort Wayne Spine & Joint
- Goebel Chiropractic
- Ruckel Chiropractic Clinic
How is NUCCA different from traditional chiropractic?
Where on the spine does NUCCA focus?
NUCCA concentrates on a single vertebra, the atlas, also called C1. Traditional chiropractic usually evaluates and adjusts the full spine, from the neck down to the pelvis. The atlas sits directly beneath the skull and supports a head that weighs roughly 10 to 12 pounds. NUCCA’s premise is that when the atlas shifts, the rest of the spine compensates, so correcting that one segment affects posture further down.
Does a NUCCA adjustment involve cracking or popping?
No. Many traditional adjustments use a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust, a quick push that often produces an audible pop as gas releases from the joint. A NUCCA correction uses light, controlled pressure from the chiropractor’s hand while the patient lies on their side. The neck is never twisted.
Why does NUCCA require X-rays before an adjustment?
Imaging is built into every NUCCA care plan. The chiropractor takes precise X-rays of the head and neck from several angles and measures exactly how the atlas has shifted. Those measurements determine the direction and angle of the adjustment. Traditional chiropractors use X-rays when a case calls for them, but many adjust based on a physical exam and palpation, which means feeling the spine by hand.
How do NUCCA chiropractors confirm an adjustment worked?
They measure again. After the first correction, NUCCA practitioners typically take follow-up X-rays to verify that the atlas moved as intended. At later visits, they use a supine leg check, which compares leg length while the patient lies on their back, as a quick way to see whether the alignment is holding.
How long do NUCCA appointments take?
The first visits run longest because they include a consultation, imaging, and analysis. Once the alignment is corrected, follow-up visits are often brief, sometimes only a few minutes. The goal at each visit is to check whether the correction is holding, not to adjust every time. Traditional care plans more commonly include an adjustment at every appointment.
What training does a NUCCA chiropractor have?
Every NUCCA chiropractor is a licensed Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) who has completed additional postgraduate training through the association. Dr. Ralph Gregory developed the procedure and helped found NUCCA in 1966. The method is still taught through structured seminars.
How common are NUCCA chiropractors?
Not very. Upper cervical practitioners make up a small fraction of all chiropractors, and NUCCA’s directory lists only a handful in Indiana. For many people, finding one means driving farther than they would for a general chiropractor.
Where can you find chiropractic care in Fort Wayne?
Techniques vary from office to office, so ask each practice which methods it uses before booking.
Atlas Chiropractic
Atlas Chiropractic is a NUCCA upper cervical practice at 5113 N Bend Dr in southwest Fort Wayne, led by Dr. Emily Staples, DC, a NUCCA chiropractor. Care begins with a complimentary consultation, followed by digital imaging to measure the position of the atlas. At the next visit, Dr. Staples reviews the findings and performs the first correction. She often takes follow-up images afterward to confirm the alignment. Later appointments focus on checking whether the correction is holding and are usually short. Patients commonly come in with concerns such as headaches, neck and shoulder tension, lower back pain, TMJ discomfort, dizziness, and posture imbalances. For people who have avoided chiropractic because they dislike the popping of a traditional adjustment, the practice offers a low-force alternative. Appointments can be booked online.
Allen County Chiropractic Wellness Center
Allen County Chiropractic Wellness Center is a chiropractic office in southwest Fort Wayne.
Fort Wayne Spine & Joint
Fort Wayne Spine & Joint is a chiropractic practice located in southwest Fort Wayne.
Goebel Chiropractic
Goebel Chiropractic is a chiropractic office serving the southwest side of Fort Wayne.
Ruckel Chiropractic Clinic
Ruckel Chiropractic Clinic is a chiropractic clinic in southwest Fort Wayne.
Is NUCCA care right for you?
The core differences come down to precision and force. NUCCA measures before and after each correction, and it uses a light touch where traditional adjustments use a quick thrust. If you’ve tried traditional adjustments and didn’t like how they felt, or you want care guided by imaging, a NUCCA consultation is a reasonable next step. Bring your health history and any past imaging to your first visit. For new, sudden, or severe symptoms, see your medical doctor first.
