The Applied Upper Cervical Biomechanics Program serves as the post-graduate education division of the IUCCA. The goal of the AUCB program is to provide high quality post-graduate education for doctors and students of chiropractic pursuing the specialized technique of upper cervical clinical management.

The program consists of classroom and laboratory instruction divided into 6 modules. All of the information presented in the AUCB program is based upon current peer-reviewed anatomical and physiological research pertaining to the upper cervical spine and its effect on global body function.

Those doctors who strive for excellence in this program may have their offices registered as Qualified IUCCA Centers. All IUCCA Qualified Centers are registered on our world wide patient referral list. Doctors who fulfill the following requirements meet the standards necessary for the status of a Qualified IUCCA Center:

• Successful completion of all 6 course modules
• Acquisition of all necessary clinical equipment
• One year of in-practice use of AUCB
• A notarized minimum of 50 clinical cases
• Submission of 5 full case studies

History & Development of Precision Radiography

• Early research findings and developments
• The clinical rationale for precision radiology

Principles of Precision Radiology

• Precision x-ray vs. standard x-ray
• Central ray alignment
• System design and manufacturing
• Applications and principles of x-ray physics
• Magnification
• Distortion
• Reproducibility
• Laser-optic patient alignment and positioning
• Neutral posture acquisition
• Alignment to the central ray
• Bi-axial bucky positioning

Radiographic Analysis

• Roentgenographic mensuration
• Reliable anatomic landmarks
• Precision mechanical drafting techniques
• Three-dimensional upper cervical kinematic interpretation
• Why the entire cervical spine must be used
• Why mensuration alone causes significant errors
• An adjustment ready biomechanical interpretation
• Setting a composite LOD
• Congenital anomalies
• Complex interpretations
• Complicating factors

History and Development of Paraspinal Digital Infrared Imaging

• Early research findings and technological developments
• Development of current state-of-the-art infrared systems

Clinical Significance

• A window into real-time global neurophysiologic function
• Neuropathophysiology or normal neural function?
• Monitoring changes in nervous system function
• How does the clinician determine the need for adjusting?
• An outcome measure for chiropractic care

Infrared vs. Thermocouple Instruments

• Qualitative and quantitative data – clinical and legal significance
• Instrument system design
• Thermal stability
• Repeatability
• Thermal and spatial resolution
• Creating artifacts
• Accurate clinical interpretation
• Complete vs. incomplete thermal displays

Integration with Precision Radiography

• How a correct listing is actually found
• Using paraspinal infrared imaging to correct your LOD

Paraspinal Thermal Data Interpretation

• Pattern vs. break interpretations
• A review of sympathetic nervous system physiology
• Direct and differential temperature image analysis
• Normative interpretation
• The significance of complete pattern resolution
• Interpretation of abnormalities
• Equivocal thermograms
• Complicating factors
• Complex case analysis

Upper Cervical Neurophysiology

• A review of the current peer-reviewed literature
• The upper cervical spine
• Anatomic design
• Neurologic pathways
• Current research on global physiological affects
• Does the upper cervical subluxation cause direct compression of the CNS?

Module 5 and 6 – Multivector Adjusting and Clinical Case Management I and II

The History & Development of Upper Cervical Adjusting

• Early research findings and developments
• Kneechest vs. side posture
• The clinical reasons for solid headpiece use
• The PTA drop headpiece table

Stationary Headpiece Adjustment Physics

• The efficacy of the kneechest table and posture
• Anatomic access
• Correct articular pre-stress
• Three dimensional biomechanical corrections
• The role of torque
• Does it produce anatomical changes?
• Why is it necessary?
• Body drop and the transference of momentum
• The significance of the toggle
• Is recoil necessary?
• Drop headpiece physics and failures 

Executing the Adjustment

• Standard adjustment simulator use
• Computerized adjustment simulator use
• Patient positioning
• Doctor and patient contacts
• The doctor’s body positioning and the composite LOD
• Adult, child, and infant protocols

History and Development of Upper Cervical Patient Management

• Early clinical research findings, developments, and protocols

The Initial Office Visit

• The comprehensive history
• Thorough physical examination procedures
• Paraspinal infrared imaging

Patient Education

• Report of findings
• Terminology
• Prognosis – short and long term goals
• Explaining the phases of care
• Answering patient questions
• Pre-1st adjustment preparation
• Possible reactions to neurologic correction
• Post-adjustment recoup suite use
• Treatment to treatment

Post-Adjustment Recovery

• Using recovery suites
• Proper thermographic protocol
• Neurophysiologic refractory period
• Soft tissue plasticity/deformation/reconstruction

The Three Phases of Care and Treatment Frequency

• Initial acute phase – reconstructive onset
• Reconstructive and rehabilitative phase
• Preventive Phase
• Treatment frequency
• Physical examination findings
• Imaging results
• Complicating factors

Re-Examinations

• Careful monitoring of objective findings
• Paraspinal infrared imaging tracking and review
• Documenting progress
• Determining treatment frequency

Billing Procedures and Ethics

• Proper CPT coding in an upper cervical practice
• Office management protocols
• UCR procedures

  Complex Case Studies

• Managing symptomatology
• Chronic case management
• Multiple condition patients
• Overlapping disease states
• Working with other health care providers
• Complex paraspinal infrared imaging interpretations
• Specialized adjusting procedures