NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago

11/25/2025

05/02/2025

"When nothing else works, chiropractic care does." - Derek Parra, Olympic Gold Medalist

Even world-class athletes know that sometimes the only way to truly fix a problem is by seeing a chiropractor.

Why?

Because chiropractors don't just cover up symptoms, they find and fix the ROOT CAUSE of your pain. Chiropractic care isn't just about managing pain—it's about BOOSTING PERFORMANCE! When your body is properly aligned, you can reach your full potential in sports, work, and daily life.

Whether you're training for the Olympics or just want to live without pain, our upper cervical chiropractors at NUCCA Wellness Clinic can help you perform at your best ability in your life.

04/29/2025

Did you know the tiny bacteria in your gut can affect how you feel mentally? It's true! When you take antibiotics, they can kill off both bad AND good bacteria in your stomach and intestines.

Scientists have discovered that your gut and brain talk to each other constantly. They call this the "gut-brain connection." When antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria in your gut, it can sometimes make you feel anxious or sad.

While antibiotics are important medicines that save lives, using them too often might mess with your gut health and even your mood.

The good news?

You can rebuild your gut health! Eating yogurt, kimchi, and other fermented foods helps put good bacteria back in your system. Foods with lots of fiber (like fruits, veggies, and whole grains) feed these good bacteria and help them grow.

04/26/2025

Spinal surgery may not always be the answer! Research shows that for many patients, surgery can actually lead to MORE pain, with a 41% increase in painkiller use afterward.

Before considering invasive procedures, explore all your options. We offer gentle, non-surgical approaches to address the root cause of your pain.

📞 Questions? Call us: 224-676-1920
📍 4801 W. Peterson Ave, Ste. 216, Chicago, IL 60646

04/24/2025

When a vehicle is rear-ended, there are several significant forces that affect the cervical spine (neck). In a rear-end collision, your vehicle is suddenly pushed forward while your head stays in place due to inertia. This creates a rapid sequence of movements in your neck. These forces can subject the cervical spine to significant stress that it's not designed to handle during normal movement.

The severity of these forces depends on factors like collision speed, head position at impact, headrest positioning, and individual physical factors like neck strength and pre-existing conditions. Even relatively low-speed collisions (as little as 8-10 mph) can generate enough force to cause injury because of the mechanical disadvantage of the neck's structure and the rapid acceleration-deceleration sequence.

04/21/2025

Our bodies are like 200,000-year-old machines trying to work with modern inputs they weren't designed for. When we give our ancient bodies things like junk food, too much screen time, and constant stress, they often respond with pain. This is what Dr. Childs calls a "mismatch problem."

The good news is we can fix this by making better choices every day. Simple things like sleeping well, moving regularly throughout the day, eating real foods, and taking care of our posture can help our bodies work properly again. While your genes determine some things about your health, your daily habits have a huge impact on how you feel.

What do you think?

Dr. Barton Childs, Johns Hopkins geneticist (quoted in R.C. Strohman, Perspectives in Biology & Medicine, 1993)

04/17/2025

Did you know that excessive rounding of the upper back isn't just a cosmetic concern?

(1) Hyperkyphosis is an excessive forward curve in your upper spine (beyond 40-45°)
(2) Research shows it's linked to higher mortality rates in older Americans
(3) It can restrict lung function and reduce breathing capacity
(4) It's associated with decreased mobility and increased fall risk
(5) It may indicate underlying health issues beyond just the spine itself

Understanding your posture isn't just about looking good, it could be a key indicator of your overall health and longevity.

Tell us how we can help today.

04/14/2025

NUCCA is known for helping to restore body balance and improve posture by focusing on precise adjustments to the atlas, the topmost bone in the neck. Because every part of our body is intricately linked, it’s crucial to view it holistically, rather than in isolated segments. This approach recognizes that a well-aligned atlas can have positive effects on the entire musculoskeletal system, supporting better function and overall health.

04/10/2025

Most people only visit a chiropractor when they're hurting, but chiropractic care does much more than just treat symptoms. It's actually designed to help your entire body function and heal better.

How?

Your body heals best when everything is working properly. Chiropractic adjustments create an optimal environment by improving the communication between your brain and body through your nervous system. This allows your natural healing abilities to work at full capacity.

Did you get checked yet?

04/07/2025

When your body detects invaders like bacteria or viruses, it cleverly raises its core temperature as part of the immune response. This elevation is triggered by chemical messengers called pyrogens that reset your brain's temperature regulation center.

Though having fever is uncomfortable, it's actually your body's way of fighting back. Very high fevers (above 103°F/39.4°C in adults) may require medical attention, fever serves as a powerful defense mechanism in general:

- Creates an environment where pathogens struggle to reproduce
- Accelerates immune cell activity and movement
- Enhances the effectiveness of antiviral proteins
- Speeds up tissue repair processes

03/29/2025

A healthy immune system relies on a complex interplay of factors—ranging from nutrition and sleep to the neuroendocrine and nervous systems. The brain and spinal cord (nervous system) are especially important in regulating immune responses, either boosting or inhibiting them. Chronic stress triggers the release of cortisol, which can reduce immune cell effectiveness. In addition, a compromised vagus nerve may disrupt anti-inflammatory signals and throw immune activity off balance.

The endocrine system also shapes immunity through hormones like thyroid and growth hormones, which guide immune cell development and function. Inherited traits can predispose individuals to stronger or weaker immune responses, while environmental factors (such as diet or toxin exposure) can switch certain genes on or off, ultimately affecting how well the body adapts.

03/25/2025

Poor posture among the elderly is common for a variety of interrelated reasons:

1. Spinal Degeneration
Conditions like osteoporosis, degenerative disc disease, and osteoarthritis change the spinal structure, often resulting in a stooped posture.

2. Muscle Weakness
Age-related loss of muscle mass reduces the support that keeps the spine and joints properly aligned.

3. Chronic Pain & Inactivity
Ongoing discomfort or fear of pain discourages regular movement, weakening muscles further. Prolonged bed rest or limited mobility in hospitals contributes to deconditioning.

4. Balance and Neurological Issues
Reduced proprioception (body awareness) and balance problems—common in older adults—can encourage postural compensation, leading to slouching or leaning.

5. Multiple Comorbidities
In a hospital setting, older patients often have several health conditions at once (like diabetes, arthritis, or respiratory issues), which collectively worsen posture and physical function.

Because many older patients in hospitals are frailer, more sedentary, and dealing with multiple medical issues, it’s more noticeable when they sit or stand with a forward-bending posture. Encouraging physical therapy, gentle exercise, and proper ergonomic support can help mitigate these changes and improve overall posture and mobility in the elderly population.