I have been researching nucca and osteopathy. I understand the basic idea of nucca is to align the atlas and the axis, which can hinder healing if misaligned.

Has anyone had theirs realigned? How many degrees was it off?

I also read an article criticizing this technique stating that the joint will just go back into place because of muscle spams. I know that my neck does spasm... could this be my result?

Do osteopaths do this?

At one point after my injury I saw a physician that said that my right hip was at a different height than my left. Slightly and unnoticeable.

Any information/ experiential opinions would be helpful. Thank you very much!

I did a number of sessions with a NUCCA chiro. I did not continue because my insurance was not paying.

NUCCA procedures are unique to NUCCA chiros.

Muscle spasms appear to be the reason the atlas does not want to stay where it belongs. The muscle spams return and keep it out of balance, so to speak.

Osteopaths do not do this kind of manipulation. They use a different technique to work those vertebra. Tried that too.

Thank you Mark for your opinion.

After my first injury i had PT for months.

I perform daily neck stretches, rotations, and use the heating pad all the time. I started getting a massage once a month and limited any activity that caused my neck to tighten/ strain. I also attempted at home traction, but to be honest it did not work much.

All in all, my neck did not heal completely and my second injury- though not as bad of a concussion, did damage to my neck. I am in extreme pain and at night my neck feels as though it is on fire.


Will my neck ever heal? can I ever prevent the spasms?
My doc said that those spasms are causing my headaches. If I can never heal my neck, will I have these headaches the rest of my life?

I have had problems with this for 11 months now. My injury was whiplashed based. My neck was in extreme pain and also had burning sensations for a while. I tried everythig you can imagine(PT, MASSAGE, CRANIAL, ACCUPUCNTURE, OSTEOPATHY). I was very skeptical of seeing a NUCCA Chiro as I saw some videos online of the cracking peoples necks, however, i took the plunge and saw one that was refered to me by an osteopath. He has really helped my neck more then anything else ive tried. But it was very expensive. The inital visit for xrays and testing was $270 canadian, then each adjustment after that is $50. He tried to get me on spinal decompression but that actually left the other side of my neck feeling more sore then the side i came to see him about. So i stopped that.

All in all, the nUCAA really helped and my neck is feeling way better then it was, but still not 100%. The problem i have is that he is very pushy and persuasive about me continuing to see him, even though my neck is feeling great. And he continually cracks my upper back between my shoulder blades.

If your head feels like its not on your head straight, go and see one. But dont let him actually crack your neck...this is bad, so ive been told. Hopefully you can get refered to a good one. Hope that helps.

I should mention, i was in a place like you, thinking my neck would never heal. But it is healing very well right now though its not 100%. The thing that helped me the most was the nUCAA chiro, maintaing good posture, and proper strengthening excersices. And keep moving, dont sit infront of a computer for long periods of time, raise your hands above your head lots troughout the day, and dont sit/lay in odd postitions that keep your neck kinked. But most important of all, listen to your body, don't push it. I've learned necks are very unique when it comes to healing from injury.