NUCCA BiomechanicsNUCCA BiomechanicsBy: Patrick Lin

What is BiomechanicsWhat is BiomechanicsThe study of body movements

and of the forces acting on the musculoskeletal system

The application of mechanical laws and principles to the interpretation and analysis of the subluxation and its correction (NUCCA Text)

What is Force?What is Force?A vector quantity tending to

produce an acceleration of an object in the direction of its application. Capacity to do work or cause physical change.

A Push or a Pull.A vector quantity processing size

and direction (NUCCA Text)

What is Resistance?What is Resistance?Any force that tends to oppose

motion. (NUCCA Text)A force that oppose or slows

down another force.

Orthogonal Based Orthogonal Based ChiropracticChiropractic

Intersecting or lying at right angles

Having perpendicular slopes or tangents at the point of intersection

Definition: Orthogonal Definition: Orthogonal AxisAxis

If two symmetrical planes intersect at right angles, the line in which they cut is called an axis of orthogonal symmetry. The central axis or origin of the coordinate system.

PremisePremiseSince each of the

orientation

planes bisect the body, it

follows that each plane must

pass through the center of

gravity. Hence, the center

of gravity may be defined as

the vertical line at which the

two vertical planes intersect

each other. (NUCCA Text)

Terminology: LateralityTerminology: LateralityA rotational, abnormal movement

of C1 about the condyles of occiput and about the sagital axis of motion. Rotation is angular motion about an axis of motion.

Terminology: Angular Terminology: Angular RotationRotation

The abnormal excursion of the cervical spine and skull as a unit about the vertical axis of the body, thereby producing gravitational stresses resulting in rotations of the vertebrae and traction of the contents of the spinal canal & nerve roots.

TerminologyTerminologyAtlas Plane Line

(APL)

Measure of the horizontal place of C1

TerminologyTerminologyAngular Rotation

(Lower Angle)

The line connected by center of the neural canal of the C2 and lowest visible vertebra (Usually C7 or T1)

TerminologyTerminologyCentral Skull

Line (CSL)The line bisect

the skull into equal halves. This line pass through the center of gravity of the head.

TerminologyTerminology

• C/A• Condylar Circle• Axial Circle

•Atlas acts as a lever.

NUCCA Misalignment NUCCA Misalignment PatternsPatternsDistribution of 4 Basic Types

Type 2

Type 1

Type 4

Type 3

Type1 52%Type2 23%Type3 7%Type4 18%

Type 1 Misalignment Var. Type 1 Misalignment Var. 11

Characteristics C1 laterality on the

same side of angular rotation

Contralateral acute angle

Skull is parallel to vertical axis

C1 is above parallel

Side of Laterality

Type 1 MisalignmentType 1 Misalignment

Parallel

Atlas Laterality

Angular Rotation

Type 1 Correction VectorType 1 Correction Vector

E

R

F• Correction Vector above the C/A vector.

Type 1 Misalignment Var. Type 1 Misalignment Var. 22

Characteristics C1 laterality on

the same side of angular rotation

Contralateral acute angle

Skull is toward vertical axis

C1 is above parallel

Side of Laterality

Type 1 CorrectionType 1 Correction

E

R

F

• Same as Var. 1 but with some head tilt. The head is placed differently on the head piece.

Type 2 Misalignment Type 2 Misalignment Characteristics

C1 laterality on the opposite side of angular rotation

Ipsilateral acute angle

Skull is tipped toward vertical axis

C1 remains fairly horizontal

Laterality produced mainly by skull

Side of Laterality

Mainly by

Skull

Type 2 MisalignmentType 2 Misalignment

• Angular rotation into the left frontal plane.• Skull turns into the right frontal plane.

Type 2 Correction VectorType 2 Correction Vector

E

R

F

• Correction vector below the C/A vector

Type 3 MisalignmentType 3 MisalignmentCharacteristics

C1 laterality on the same side of head tilt

No angular rotation C1 remains fairly

horizontal Laterality produced

by head tilt

Side of Laterality

Directly by

Skull

Type 3 MisalignmentType 3 Misalignment

• No angular rotation & laterality caused by skull.

Type 3 Correction VectorType 3 Correction Vector

E

R

F

• The correction vector should be well below the C/A vector.• Head piece placement is very important!

Type 4 MisalignmentType 4 MisalignmentCharacteristics

C1 laterality on the same side of angular rotation

Contralateral acute angle

Skull is tilted away from vertical axis

C1 is above parallel

Side of Laterality

Type 4 MisalignmentType 4 Misalignment

• Laterality is caused by 70% angular rotation, 30% skull tipping

Type 4 Correction VectorType 4 Correction Vector

E

R

R• Correction vector above C/A

SummarySummary

Acute Angle

Cause

Type 1 Contralateral C1 Sideslip

Type 2 Ipsilateral Head tilt

Type 3 - Head tilt

Type 4 ContralateralC1 sideslip / Head tilt

ExercisesExercises

Type 1

ExercisesExercises

Type 2

ExercisesExercises

Type 4

ExercisesExercises

Type 2

ExercisesExercises

Type 1

ExercisesExercises

Type 3

ExercisesExercises

Type 1

ExercisesExercises

Type 4

ExercisesExercises

Type 2

Dr. Brooks ExampleDr. Brooks Examplehttp://www.chirocorrection.com/b

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