Is Your Head on Straight?

Dear friend,

Just when you thought you have tried everything, have you checked to see if your head is on straight?

Most people have experienced neck pain, back pain or spinal related problems sometime in their life.  There are numerous approaches to achieving temporary relief from this often disabling pain.  There are procedures that vary as widely as bed rest to medications, acupuncture, acupressure and then the extreme: surgery.  All of these and other systems have had their degrees of success and failures.

Perhaps the one think that can be said for certain is that there is no cure-all, no one hundred percent solution for all spinal related problems.  The body after all, is a very complex system.  The spinal column along with various layers of muscles and the nervous system largely makes up the structure that not only allows us to remain upright under gravity, but also allows us to bend, twist and tilt.

In seeking out help, most people will use more conservative approaches first, like bed rest and then keep moving toward the more extreme, like drugs and surgery, if they have not obtained the relief they need.

In the area of spinal care, there is a system that offers still another approach.It’s conservative, cost-efficient, but, more importantly, extremely precise and painless.This procedure is named NUCCA after the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association.The NUCCA principles were developed in Michigan by Drs. Ralph Gregory and John Grostic in the 1940’s. NUCCA was formed in 1965 as a national organization recognized by the federal government.Today, NUCCA is a group of doctors within the chiropractic profession who concentrate on returning the head, neck, spine and pelvis to its proper position.Thus, allowing the body to properly heal.

Some conditions that can benefit from NUCCA care begin and end in the neck.Falls, a whiplash type accident, or a twist of the neck can all result in the relationship of the head and neck going off center.By gently adjusting the head and neck, the entire spine, including the pelvis, can return back toward normal.This must be done before spinal balance can be attained.

The pelvis is the foundation of the spine; hence it supports the spine.As the head shifts off center, the pelvis must also shift.This is to keep the body as upright as possible.If the head is in its normal position, the pelvis will be directly under it.But if the head and neck misalign, the muscles of the back will automatically tighten to shift the pelvis so it will be as directly under the head as possible.This shifting of the structure of the spine and pelvis can be the cause of many conditions, such as neck and back pain/spasms, headaches/migraines, tingling in arms or legs, Fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue, neurological conditions, etc. Unless the head and neck are returned to their normal positions, you may never really have a long-term recovery with long-term results.

Here’s what some of my patients had to say:

“I had a stiff neck so severe that I would have to turn my body to look from side to side. In the two years that I had the pain I saw three doctors. I was given anti-inflammatory medicine and muscle relaxants. Nothing helped. The pain stopped me from getting a good night’s sleep and driving because I couldn’t turn my neck from side to side. I immediately felt relief, and, after two years, it feels good to be pain free.” – (Karen)

“My headaches, migraines and dizziness have been crippling and debilitating.  I no longer enjoyed life and missed running around and playing with my wife and children…This technique is the most amazing thing I have ever experienced after being told by doctors that I was going to have to deal with the pain for the rest of my life” – (Bob)

“I feel like a new person. I am able to deal with my everyday chores without pain and feel great.  Believe in Dr. Jean-Pierre and give your body time to heal with this special technique.  I am so grateful that I found this special doctor.”  (Fran)

“…the headaches were so severe that at times I was unable to work; thank you for all that you have done forme…It is the best that I have felt in years”- (Ken)

NUCCA, through precise instrumentation, determines if the patient is in alignment or balanced.After a thorough consultation and exam, three views of very exacting x-rays are taken (if indicated) and analyzed before any type of care is rendered.Each person has his or her unique type of misalignment pattern, which must be precisely determined.Once the type and degree of misalignment have been established, the doctor is able to direct a slight and controlled pressure into a particular spot on the spine, which will then bring the head and neck back towards normal.There is NO twisting or turning of the neck with this procedure.

As the body returns to its normal position, the muscles will pull evenly, relieving muscle spasms.Swelling around the nerves can subside, relieving the pinched nerve feeling.Postural changes can occur along with the removal of stress on the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees and low back). Following the correction, both the doctor and patient should see significant results in postural changes.

As a unique and gentle approach to spinal care, NUCCA has had wonderful results and research documented over the past 50 years.So when you get to the point where you’ve been everywhere and thought you’ve tried everything, you will want to find out if your head is on straight.

Thank You.

-Gregory Jean-Pierre, D.C.

P.S. Our office is both friendly and warm and we do our best to make you feel at home.  My assistant’s name is Christina. Our office is called Upper Cervical Institute of FL, and is conveniently located in Boca Raton (7301A West Palmetto Park Road Suite 304B). Our phone number is 561.409.3495. Call today for an appointment to start getting well!  

Visit us at www.uci-fl.com