Looking for a NUCCA Chiropractor in Chico? Here’s What You Should Know
If you’ve been Googling “NUCCA chiropractor near me” or trying to make sense of different kinds of upper cervical chiropractic care, you’re not alone. Most people have no idea there are multiple upper cervical techniques—and that some of them are quite different from the traditional “snap, crackle, pop” approach they’ve seen on YouTube or TikTok. The truth is, if you’re looking into NUCCA, you’re probably the kind of person who wants precision, lasting results, and a clear plan for getting your health back. And you might not even know that there’s another technique out there that shares many of NUCCA’s benefits, while also bringing some unique tools to the table.
I practice something called knee-chest upper cervical care. Most people haven’t heard of it. It doesn’t have the brand recognition of NUCCA, but it follows the same philosophy: that the top of the spine—specifically the upper cervical area around the atlas and axis—is one of the most neurologically significant areas of the body, and that gentle, precise care in this area can lead to profound health changes. Knee-chest and NUCCA have more in common than they do in conflict. But for people trying to figure out which one is right for them, the distinctions do matter.
Both techniques start with the belief that less is more. If you’re someone who’s been to a chiropractor before and felt like you were getting adjusted every time you walked in, whether you needed it or not, this idea might be refreshing. In both NUCCA and knee-chest work, we don’t adjust you every visit. In fact, we only adjust when the data shows it’s necessary. That means your body has a chance to hold the correction and heal without interference.
Another thing we share in common: the x-rays. Not just side views of your neck, but biomechanical x-rays taken from several angles so we can understand the exact position of the vertebrae. These measurements help determine not just if an adjustment is needed, but also exactly how to make it. We’re not guessing. And we’re not doing the same adjustment on every patient.
Where we differ is in the adjustment itself. NUCCA adjustments are performed with the patient lying on their side, using a very light, precisely directed force. In the knee-chest technique, the adjustment is performed with the patient in a kneeling position with their chest supported. The force is still very gentle, but the vector and approach are different. What’s important to know is that both methods aim to correct the misalignment with the least amount of force needed, and both rely on objective indicators to confirm whether the adjustment worked.
In our Chico office, we also use a powerful tool that NUCCA doctors typically don’t: infrared thermography. This technology allows us to monitor the function of your autonomic nervous system—in other words, how well your body is managing stress, healing, and maintaining balance. With each visit, we check your scans before and after to see if your nervous system is holding steady or if it’s under stress. It’s one of the most helpful tools I’ve ever used to track healing over time, especially in people who are dealing with chronic issues like migraines, fatigue, insomnia, or anxiety.
Over the years, we’ve had many patients in Chico reach out to our office looking for a NUCCA chiropractor. Some had heard the name from a friend, others found it online while researching upper cervical care. But what we’ve consistently found is that what they were really looking for wasn’t a specific brand—it was a specific kind of care. They wanted someone who specialized in the upper neck. Someone who adjusted only when necessary, who used objective testing, and who had a plan for helping them feel better—not just today, but long-term. Once they learned about knee-chest care and gave it a try, many experienced powerful improvements in conditions like migraines, anxiety, depression, recurring headaches, and even digestive issues.
The truth is, there is no NUCCA chiropractor in Chico. The closest ones are in Sacramento or San Francisco. And when you’re dealing with health concerns that affect your everyday life, driving two to three hours each way for care probably isn’t realistic. Fortunately, the values and principles behind NUCCA are not exclusive to that technique. Knee-chest upper cervical care is built on the same foundation: precision, gentleness, objectivity, and long-lasting results.
It’s also worth noting that not all upper cervical offices are the same. Even within NUCCA or knee-chest practices, the level of training, the use of objective tools, and the follow-through on patient care can vary widely. That’s why I always encourage people to ask questions. Ask how they determine when to adjust. Ask what technology they use to measure nervous system function. Ask how they track progress over time. The answers to those questions will tell you a lot more than any technique label ever could.
If you’re dealing with migraines, recurring headaches, vertigo, anxiety, digestive issues, chronic neck or back pain, sleep trouble, or muscle tension patterns that never seem to go away—upper cervical care could be the missing piece. And if you’re in or around Chico, CA, know that you don’t have to keep searching for NUCCA. What you’re really looking for might already be here.
At the end of the day, the right chiropractic care isn’t just about technique. It’s about trust, transparency, and a shared goal: helping you get your life back. Whether it’s NUCCA, knee-chest, or another form of upper cervical care, the most important thing is that you feel confident in the process and supported in your healing journey.