Question 1

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

We DO bill auto insurance and workers compensation insurance directly.

We do NOT bill health insurance directly.

For health insurance, our process is simple. After each appointment, we will:
Email you a coded reimbursement receipt.
You send the receipt to your insurance.
Within a few weeks, you receive a reimbursement check in the mail dependent upon your “out-of-network” coverage.

Please call your insurance to better understand your benefits for chiropractic care.

Question 2

How long is it going to take?

Accepted Answer

After your first series of re-alignments (2nd appointment) it’s typical to meet 6 - 10 times over the next 3 months to ensure your alignment properly stabilizes.

As you continue to maintain and “hold” your proper alignment, your appointment frequency will be reduced. The goal is to get checked quarterly, 4 times per year, with the expectation that you are maintaining your alignment, and you DO NOT need another realignment.

Everyone progresses through care and heals at a different speed, which, depends on several factors that will be discussed with you after your assessment.

“Holding is Healing”

Question 3

Why do I need x-rays?

Accepted Answer

Pre and Post x-rays are the most important part of the NUCCA process.

To see is to know, not to see is to guess. We will never guess with your brain health. 
X-rays are required to start treatment, and are the gold standard for treatment in the upper neck.

If you have a complex misalignment, realigning you without proper imaging can hurt you and should be malpractice.

Do NOT let another doctor manipulate your upper neck without proper imaging.

Question 4

Is x-ray exposure something I should be concerned about?

Accepted Answer

Not at our clinic!

Our digital x-ray unit (Direct Capture) was purchased in 2019, which means that is has the latest, up to date, x-ray technology.

This means that we can keep the exposure settings really low but still capture a picture that is HD quality.

Additionally, we use specific lead filtration (NUCCA standard) to further reduce exposure.

In fact, a flight from Los Angeles to Seattle is 5x more exposure than a NUCCA x-ray series.

Question 5

Why do I need follow-up appointments?

Accepted Answer

To start, we will be battling muscle memory that has likely been there for years.

Your muscles need to be retrained.

Follow-ups, starting with 1-2x per week, ensure that when you misalign again, we can realign you as soon as possible to keep forward momentum.

With time, your alignment will stabilize, and we will space your appointments out longer.

Aligned = Healing

Misaligned = Not healing

Question 6

Will I get a realignment every time?

Accepted Answer

We hope not! The goal of upper cervical chiropractic is to NOT realign you.

This may take a month or two, but we do expect 90% of our patients to begin holding their proper alignment within 3 months of starting treatment.

Question 7

Why is my initial treatment plan for 3 months?

Accepted Answer

Healing is a process, not an event. Tissue heals as fast as fingernails grow. If you lose a nail, it will take roughly 3 months to grow back out.

This is why we recommend monitoring your alignment for 3 months minimum to get the root spinal problem under control.

3 months is also based on experience. If we could correct the root problem faster, we would.

If a surgeon says you need 10 stitches, you wouldn’t say “let’s try 5 and see if it holds”.

Question 8

I've tried chiropractic before, how is NUCCA chiropractic different?

Accepted Answer

Most traditional chiropractors don’t know how to correctly realign the top of the neck, the Atlas vertebra.

Necks are the only thing Dr. Burt does, and what he is known for.

Question 9

What does a NUCCA upper cervical re-alignment do?

Accepted Answer

The NUCCA realignment does several things!

Pain will decrease, blood and cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) circulation will normalize, range of motion and joint mobility will increase, thinking becomes clearer, tight muscles will relax, posture improves, and so many more benefits.

The Atlas vertebra is the door between the brain and the body.

When the Atlas is aligned, the body can heal faster than if it is misaligned.

Imagine trying to send a text message with 2 bars of signal. It takes much longer to send compared to having 5 bars of signal.

It is possible for any health condition/pain to heal when the brain is fully connected to the body.

Question 10

Is the NUCCA re-alignment safe? What about for my kids?

Accepted Answer

Completely! In fact, most of our patients (including kids) are relieved to hear there is no twisting, thrusting, popping, or cracking of your neck; eliminating the potential risk of ligamentous trauma.

The NUCCA re-alignment is so gentle, the only thing you will feel is the weight of Dr. Burt’s hand behind your ear lobe.

When we test the force of the adjustment, the reader consistently reads 2 pounds of pressure.

You can expect 10-12 small, gentle adjustments over a 1-minute time period.
Dr. Burt will continue adjusting until he feels that the atlas (C1) has moved the right amount.

Question 11

When will I see results?

Accepted Answer

Although everyone is different, most feel immediate relief, while others require a few weeks to notice improvement.

You may know how long you’ve had symptoms, but you may NOT know how long your misalignment has been there.

Truly, healing starts when the pain is gone.

Healing is a process that takes time and is unique to you.

Dr. Burt will provide better insight into what your healing process will look like after your assessment.

Question 12

How will I know if NUCCA is working for me?

Accepted Answer

Your posture and post-x-ray measurements improve immediately upon your first series of adjustments (2nd appointment).

Your body starts to feel better within a month.

Your posture measurements begin to maintain their correct alignment within 3 months.

Question 13

What if NUCCA doesn't work for me?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Burt will only start you under care and adjust you (2nd appointment) if he knows he can help you. However, if you are a month into care, and you are not feeling better or making progress towards your goals (very rare), and you have followed Dr. Burt’s recommendations,

1) He will take another x-ray (complimentary) to see if something has been missed.

2) If your x-ray measurements are updated, and you still do not notice improvement within 2 weeks, Dr. Burt will find another health professional for you to speak with regarding your situation.

Question 14

What will happen if I leave my Atlas misaligned?

Accepted Answer

What happens when you ignore your screeching brakes?

If you leave your Atlas out of alignment after an injury, it’s only a matter of time before your brain gets deprived, causing pain and spinal degeneration.

Maintenance is much more affordable than surgery, especially considering the amount of time you will have to take off work with surgery.

Question 15

Once I see a chiropractor, do I have to go forever?

Accepted Answer

No! Although most of our patients choose to continue care after their care plan, they understand they can stop at any time.

Occasional follow-up appointments are the best thing you can do to ensure long-term spinal health.

Our patients find they feel better when they are checked every month or two.

They are either reassured that they are maintaining their alignment, or, they are relieved to be adjusted again.

Frequently Asked Questions