The NUCCA Difference: A Gentle, Effective Approach for Fibromyalgia and Chronic Pain
How a Misaligned Spine Can Impact Your Whole Body
Have you ever wondered why NUCCA chiropractic care is so gentle? Why your doctor doesn’t twist or crack your neck like traditional chiropractors?
You’re not alone. These are common questions—and the answers lie in the delicate structure of your upper cervical spine.
At the very top of your spine is the atlas, or C1 vertebra. It’s the small, ring-shaped bone that supports your head and allows it to move freely. Right below it is the axis (C2), and together they form the foundation for your entire spine and nervous system function. When the atlas is even slightly out of alignment—often due to a past injury—it can trigger a chain reaction of compensation throughout the body.
This misalignment can interfere with how your brainstem communicates with the rest of your body, affecting muscles, nerves, and even how your body perceives pain. For people with Fibromyalgia, this disruption may contribute to widespread pain, fatigue, and other symptoms.
What Makes NUCCA Different?
NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) care focuses exclusively on these top two vertebrae. When the head is shifted off-center—even slightly—due to trauma or poor posture, it pulls the spine out of balance. The body compensates, often resulting in:
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Uneven shoulders or hips
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Leg length differences
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Chronic neck, back, or joint pain
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Headaches and fatigue
Rather than applying force, NUCCA adjustments are gentle, precise, and calculated. That’s because the upper cervical area is incredibly sensitive and surrounded by critical neurological structures. Too much force, or twisting, can actually prevent the body from accepting the correction.
When done properly, the correction helps restore proper alignment, improve posture, and enhance nervous system function—all without drugs or invasive procedures.
Pain Is a Signal—Don’t Ignore It
If you’ve been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia or experience chronic neck, back, or body pain, it’s easy to reach for medications or injections to get quick relief. But these only mask the symptoms. Pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong. Ignoring it may lead to more serious, long-term problems.
Instead, consider seeing a Board Certified NUCCA Doctor who can determine if your atlas is in alignment and giving proper communication to the rest of your body!
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Dr. Craig Lapenski at Advanced Spinal Care, in Graham, Washington is one of 27 Board Certified NUCCA Doctors worldwide. His clinic serves the highest quality upper cervical care in the Pacific Northwest. Dr. Lapenski also serves a number of patients who are out of state including Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Kansas, Montana, Nevada, New York, and more! He is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, headaches, fibromyalgia, vertigo, neck pain, back pain, and more. More information can be found on our website at https://www.nuccawashington.com/