NUCCA Biomechanics By: Patrick Lin

What is Biomechanics The 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? 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? Any force that tends to oppose motion. (NUCCA Text) A force that oppose or slows down another force.

Orthogonal Based Chiropractic Intersecting or lying at right angles Having perpendicular slopes or tangents at the point of intersection

Definition: Orthogonal Axis 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.

Premise Since 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: Laterality A 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 Rotation 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.

Terminology Atlas Plane Line (APL) Measure of the horizontal place of C1

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

Terminology Central Skull Line (CSL) The line bisect the skull into equal halves. This line pass through the center of gravity of the head.

Terminology C/A Condylar Circle Axial Circle Atlas acts as a lever.

NUCCA Misalignment Patterns Distribution of 4 Basic Types Type152% Type223% Type3 7% Type418%

Type 1 Misalignment Var. 1 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 Misalignment Parallel Atlas Laterality Angular Rotation

Type 1 Correction Vector E R F Correction Vector above the C/A vector.

Type 1 Misalignment Var. 2 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 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 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 Misalignment Angular rotation into the left frontal plane. Skull turns into the right frontal plane.

Type 2 Correction Vector E R F Correction vector below the C/A vector

Type 3 Misalignment Characteristics 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 Misalignment No angular rotation & laterality caused by skull.

Type 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 Misalignment Characteristics 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 Misalignment Laterality is caused by 70% angular rotation, 30% skull tipping

Type 4 Correction Vector E R R Correction vector above C/A

Summary Acute AngleCause Type 1 ContralateralC1 Sideslip Type 2 IpsilateralHead tilt Type 3 -Head tilt Type 4 Contralateral C1 sideslip / Head tilt

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