The Healing Trifecta: NUCCA, SoftWave, and Red Light/PEMF—Why Order Matters

The Healing Sequence: Why NUCCA, SoftWave, PEMF & Red Light Work Best in This Order

When it comes to natural healing, pain relief, and performance optimization, sequence matters. The body heals better when we follow the right order—starting with alignment, moving into cellular repair, and finishing with energy restoration and inflammation modulation. (Just like how we put on socks first before the shoes).

Here’s why we recommend the following sequence for optimal results:

1. NUCCA Alignment: Reset the Nervous System

Before anything else, the body must be structurally balanced. NUCCA (National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association) care focuses on the alignment of the upper neck—specifically the atlas vertebra—where even a slight misalignment can disrupt the brain-body connection. Upper cervical alignment can change hip positioning and can alter the weight distribution so balance can be achieved equally onto both legs equally; thus it can even taking pressure off knees and ankles.

Benefits:

• Restores communication between the brain and body

• Improves balance and posture

• Reduces tension and nerve interference

• Enhances the effectiveness of all other therapies

A misaligned atlas can distort spinal mechanics, affect blood flow, and keep the nervous system in a stress state. Correcting this first allows the body to regulate and heal from a more stable foundation. For more information on how the C1 alignment can alter the whole spine; visit www.mymisalignment.com/abalancedatlas

2. SoftWave Therapy: Activate Cellular Repair

Once alignment is restored, SoftWave (also known as extracorporeal shockwave therapy) promotes powerful tissue regeneration at the cellular level. Using patented unfocused sound waves, SoftWave stimulates a biological response known as mechanotransduction, which triggers stem cell recruitment, improves circulation, and reduces inflammation.

Benefits:

• Accelerates healing of muscles, tendons, and ligaments

• Reduces chronic and acute pain

• Enhances tissue oxygenation and nutrient delivery

• Stimulates the body’s own repair systems without aggravating sensitive areas

Especially helpful for:

• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) patients, where joint hypermobility and collagen dysfunction cause chronic micro-injuries and poor tissue repair

• Individuals with craniocervical instability (CCI) or upper cervical stress, especially following shoulder or neck surgery, where scar tissue or post-surgical tension can create tethering and instability through fascial or muscular chains connected to the cervical spine

SoftWave’s non-invasive sound waves can help release myofascial tension, encourage neuromuscular re-coordination, and support soft tissue resilience in areas affected by mechanical strain—even if that strain originated from a surgery below the neck. With NUCCA restoring foundational alignment, SoftWave works as a precision tool to calm inflammation and enhance structural integrity without mechanical manipulation.

3. PEMF and Red Light Therapy: Recharge and Regulate

With the structure aligned and tissue repair underway, it's time to support energy metabolism and inflammation control. That’s where PEMF (Pulsed Electromagnetic Field) and red light therapy come in.

PEMF:

• Enhances cellular voltage and ATP production

• Increases nutrient absorption and waste removal

• Calms the nervous system

• Speeds up recovery after injury or physical stress

Red Light (Photobiomodulation):

• Reduces oxidative stress and inflammation

• Boosts collagen production and skin health

• Supports mitochondrial function (your cellular power plants)

• Promotes faster recovery from workouts and soft tissue strain

By using these modalities after alignment and SoftWave, you're giving already-awakened cells the energy and resources they need to finish the job.

Why This Order Matters

Think of it like this:

• NUCCA = Reset the circuit breaker

• SoftWave = Send in the repair crew

• PEMF & Red Light = Supply the energy and tools to rebuild

Doing them out of order is like trying to recharge a device with a faulty cord or fueling a car before fixing the engine. Healing happens when the foundation is strong, the inflammation is addressed, and the cells are energized.

Ready to Feel the Difference?

Whether you're recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply looking to perform at your best, this healing sequence creates the conditions your body needs to thrive.

Restoring Balance: How SoftWave Therapy Helped a Post-Hip Surgery Patient Hold His NUCCA Correction

Twelve years ago, John (name changed for privacy) underwent a hip surgery that preserved his mobility but left him with a subtle — and unexpected — complication: a leg length discrepancy. While seemingly minor, this structural imbalance had a significant ripple effect, particularly on his upper cervical spine. For patients like John, who rely on NUCCA chiropractic care for balance and well-being, the change was noticeable.

Before surgery, John had held his NUCCA alignment exceptionally well for years — often going months between visits with minimal correction needed. But after the hip replacement, things changed. The surgery resulted in one leg being slightly shorter than the other, which created a compensatory imbalance through his spine and pelvis. Post-surgery, John struggled to hold his correction for more than a few weeks at a time, requiring frequent re-alignments. The deeper issue wasn’t just in the neck — it was systemic.

To support his body in maintaining alignment, we introduced SoftWave Tissue Regeneration Therapy — a non-invasive, acoustic wave technology designed to reduce inflammation, break up scar tissue, and stimulate cellular repair. The goal was to address the muscular and fascial imbalances that had developed from years of compensation post-surgery.

After just his second SoftWave session, John noticed a difference — and so did we. His body responded with improved balance and stability, and his C1 alignment held longer than it had in years. Follow-up assessments confirmed he was maintaining his NUCCA correction for over two months — and counting — a milestone he hadn’t reached since before his surgery.

John’s case is a perfect example of how structural changes — like a short leg from surgery — can create long-term challenges in spinal stability. While NUCCA corrections can restore alignment, they sometimes need additional support to hold, especially when the body has developed compensation patterns over time. SoftWave Therapy provided that support, helping address the root of his instability and allowing his nervous system to reset and adapt.

For years, John did everything right — but his hip surgery introduced a challenge that traditional care alone couldn’t fully resolve. By combining NUCCA chiropractic with SoftWave Therapy, he was finally able to break the cycle and restore long-term balance. His story is a powerful reminder of the body’s potential to heal when given the right tools at the right time.

Wobble to Stable: 48 Hours apart. Only difference? NUCCA alignment

When it comes to restoring balance, small wins can lead to big transformations — and in just two days, a patient showed us what’s possible with a seemingly simple atlas NUCCA alignment.

A patient came in before his start of care with an initial test from Clinical Tests of Sensory Integration of Balance using the Biodex BioSway to evaluate his postural control under four different conditions. These conditions simulate real-world challenges by altering visual input (eyes open vs. closed) and surface stability (firm vs. foam). It’s a true test of how the body integrates sensory input to maintain balance.

Sway Index Results – Before & After

Composite score on initial eval was at 2.37 which was 100% impairment. 2 Days later, the composite score changed to 0.94, at 19% impairment. Overall sway and balance improved markedly. In the above chart; each condition showed significant reduction in sway (better balance control), especially the most challenging one (eyes closed, foam surface).

Initial exam - sway patterns were more dispersed across the targets.

Identical Exam 2 days after 1 NUCCA correction. Sway was much more centered within zone A; indicating greater postural control and stability.

Why This Matters

Balance is more than just standing still — it’s critical for:

• Preventing falls

• Improving athletic performance

• Enhancing coordination

• Boosting confidence in movement

The Missing Link: Upper Cervical Alignment & Balance

You might be wondering — what does the top of the spine have to do with how well you balance?

The answer: Everything.

The upper cervical spine — especially the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) vertebrae — plays a critical role in balance, posture, and spatial orientation.

Here’s how:

1. Proprioception Starts at the Top

The muscles and joints around the upper neck are packed with proprioceptors — sensors that tell your brain where your head and body are in space. When these vertebrae are misaligned, the signals can get distorted, leading to:

• Dizziness

• Unsteadiness

• Delayed or inaccurate balance responses

2. The Brainstem Connection

The brainstem sits right where the skull meets the spine — and it’s a hub for balance control, integrating input from your inner ear (vestibular system), vision, and proprioception.

When upper cervical alignment is off, it can create tension or irritation around the brainstem, disrupting this balance coordination center.

3. Head Position Drives Body Posture

When the head tilts even slightly due to misalignment, the entire body compensates — often shifting weight unevenly, tightening one side of the body, and increasing sway.

Correcting upper cervical alignment helps recenter the head over the spine, allowing the body to distribute weight more evenly.

This particular Case: Real-World Evidence

In this patient’s balance tests, we saw a 60% improvement in his sway index in just 48 hours — and a big part of that change followed upper cervical correction. With the atlas and axis realigned under the NUCCA procedure.

• Proprioceptive input normalized

• Postural muscles engaged more symmetrically

• Balance drastically improved across all test surfaces

Bottom Line

Upper cervical chiropractic care isn’t just about pain relief — it’s about restoring communication between the brain and body. When that connection is clear, balance improves, stability returns, and movement feels natural again.

Contact us schedule your evaluation. Your balance is your foundation. Let’s make it stronger.

What is neck curve?

The ideal neck curve is 33 degrees. Simply put; the neck curve should be shaped like a C or a banana. The neck curve is also known as cervical lordosis. The apex of the curve is forward facing; meaning it should be towards your nose when looking from a side profile. (see picture below - top left)

What’s so important about it though? Why do so many people who are suffering from pain happens to also have a compromised neck curve?

1. Spinal Support: The neck curve helps balance the weight of the head and provides support to the cervical spine. It helps distribute the forces and pressures experienced by the neck during various activities, reducing the risk of strain or injury.

2. Shock Absorption: The natural curve of the neck acts as a shock absorber, cushioning the impact of everyday movements and activities such as walking, running, and jumping. This helps protect the delicate structures of the cervical spine, including the vertebrae, discs, nerves, and muscles.

3. Range of Motion: The neck curve allows for a greater range of motion, enabling us to turn, tilt, and flex our heads comfortably. It facilitates smooth movement and flexibility, which are essential for daily activities like driving, looking around, and maintaining eye contact.

4. Nerve Function: The cervical curve helps maintain proper alignment of the spinal nerves, which exit the spinal cord through small openings in the vertebrae called intervertebral foramina. A healthy neck curve helps ensure optimal nerve function, promoting efficient communication between the brain and the rest of the body.

5. Postural Alignment: The neck curve contributes to overall postural alignment. When the neck curve is properly maintained, it helps align the head, neck, and spine in a neutral position, minimizing stress on the surrounding structures and reducing the risk of chronic pain, headaches, and other postural issues.

Trauma can potentially be the biggest affect to the natural curve of the neck. Injuries like whiplash or direct impact can cause misalignment; resulting in a loss of the normal curve. The five things listed above can potentially be all affected; not only in the neck but in the rest of the spine as well. See picture below; only one xray represents a normal neck curve - left upper corner. The rest of the neck xrays exhibit a compromised spine subject to varying ailing symptoms. With activities of daily living compounding onto a misaligned spine; pain and neurological symptoms can arise.

Have you been living with symptoms? Do you want to see if you are a candidate to benefit from NUCCA? Contact us for your consultation.

For more information check out: My Misalignment

NUCCA helps Passionate Golfer

Dr. Cecilia Yu was featured in an Upper Cervical Blog in helping an avid golfer’s 16 years of back pain. You can find the piece @ golfer's healing journey.

Are you suffering in your game? Are you ready to play at your best level? Let’s see if NUCCA can be the addition you’ve been looking for.

TMD Vs Neck. Which came first? Dr. Yu speaks at Dental Seminar

I recently had the privilage of speaking to a group of extremely open minded (+ like minded) dentists in Jindabyne, Australia. Its a rare opportunity and I’m ever so grateful to be able to share my craft with them to an ailment that many have considered as a pain that no one seems to understand. I follow a discussion group on FB about TMJ/TMD. The agony and pain that I see people post have the common denominator of frustration. Much of that frustration is a combination of 1. not being able to find the root cause, 2. having tried “everything” without avail, 3. their provider not BELIEVING their pain. That last one is a tough one to swallow. I always tell my patients from the start of our consultation; “Whatever you feel, however big, however small; is ALWAYS true to you. No one else feels what you feel. Do not let anyone tell you HOW you should feel.” After that little schpeel is out of the way. I often see a sigh of relief followed by a smile. For some, there’s years of that internal dialogue that needs to be torn down in order for that self confidence of reading and knowing one’s body to be firmly in place. If you’re still reading this, which I am hoping that you are. This is the first step in healing.

On to the topic at hand. Many who complains of TMJ issues often complains of neck tension as well. Some even have headaches on top of that. When there are different pains happening simultaneously; which one is primary? Is one leading to the next? Can they possibly be (in this scenario) 3 separate issues?

Which came first?

The CHICKEN? or the EGG?

Wellllllll….its more complicated than that. Someone who had their teeth knocked out (I know…extreme example) and had a reconstruction and developed TMD will be very different of a case compared to someone who had a fender bender and developed TMD a year or two after. Another big part of the equation is developmental. How’s airway, how did the mandible and maxilla develop, had there been orthodontic work?

No 2 case histories are alike; like a unique snowflake. Regardless of the initiating events; the current problems at hand are TMD and neck tension. What I can provide are 2 key foundational components.

That bite’s influence on the neck/spine. Here’s an interesting study on it: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7842106_The_Influence_of_an_Experimentally-Induced_Malocclusion_On_Vertebral_Alignment_in_Rats_A_Controlled_Pilot_Study

It a 2005 study, so this fact of bite positioning afflicting the spine has been around for a while. In the study, a group of rats were subjected to bite malocclusion. (even if you’re reading my summary here, please click on the article’s link to see the photo as it profoundly speak a thousand words). A rat was photographed at “normal” - nothing has yet to be manipulated. Then it was photographed with composites on a tooth to create a misalignment of the bite. When the misalignment occurred; changes to the spine was the result. Lastly, the bite was manipulated to be balanced; and the spine was once again balanced as well.

YES! The bite is a very important factor. But its not the only one. Stay tuned for Part 2.

Sharing ideas and demonstrating how the bite influences the neck. It is only via discussions and learning that we can help people in our communities.