Discover A Gentle, Neurology-Focused NUCCA Approach to Alleviating TMJ
When TMJ Disrupts Your Life, Stability Matters
Dr. Charlie Ross D.C.
NUCCA Doctor
Go about your day when you don't have TMJ!
New Patient Consultation Special
1 hour No-Charge Consultation for New Patients
Call Sophia to Schedule: (206) 504-2225
If you’re living with TMJ pain, you know how disruptive it can be...
Jaw tension when you chew.
Clicking or popping when you open your mouth.
Headaches that start near your temples or behind the eyes.
Ear pressure or facial soreness that never quite goes away.
Many people searching for TMJ treatment in Seattle have already tried mouth guards, medications, or dental treatments — yet the pain keeps returning.
The reason may be that the jaw is not the only structure involved.
TMJ 101
What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint, also called TMJ, acts like a sliding hinge that connects the jawbone to the skull. There is one joint on each side of the jaw. TMJ disorder is when pain, often temporary, occurs in when of these joints. Symptoms include:
-Pain or tenderness in the jaw or in
one or both of the temporomandibular joints
-Aching pain in and around the ear
-Having a hard time chewing or pain while chewing
-Locking of the joint, making it hard to open or close your mouth
-Headaches
-Neck pain
-Eye pain
-Tooth pain
- Clicking or grating sensations when you open your mouth or chew
What Causes TMJ?
The exact cause of TMJ disorder can be hard to determine but may be due to a mix of factors, including habits such as teeth clenching (also known as bruxism), gum chewing and nail biting; stress; and painful conditions that occur along with TMJ disorder such as fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis or jaw injury.
But what many do not know is that misalignments in the upper cervical spine can also result in TMJ. Because the jaw is closely connected to the skull and neck muscles, these changes may contribute to abnormal jaw mechanics and increased strain on the TMJ.
Why Traditional Approaches Often Fall Short
Typical TMJ management involves:
-Medications that control symptoms but don’t fix the cause
- Uncomfortable oral splints or mouth guards
-Alternative Therapies such as physical therapy or counseling
- Painful injections or Surgeries for severe cases unresponsive to other treatments which range from less invasive to destructive procedures.
While these approaches can be helpful, approaches often miss one key factor: Your jaw does not work independently from the rest of your body.
The head, neck, and jaw function as a coordinated system. Because the jaw is closely connected to the skull and neck muscles, when the upper cervical spine becomes misaligned, it can create subtle shifts in posture and muscle tension. These changes may contribute to abnormal jaw mechanics and increased strain on the TMJ.
How Can a NUCCA Doctor Help?
Instead of masking symptoms, NUCCA aims to remove interference in the nervous system so the body can function more efficiently.
Using detailed measurements and imaging, NUCCA doctors determine the exact direction of misalignment and apply a precise correction to help restore balance in the head and neck. When upper cervical alignment is improved, many patients report changes such as:
-Reduced abnormal tension in the neck and jaw muscles
-Improved head and jaw posture
-Greater nervous system communication support
-More natural movement in the jaw joints
- Reduction of chronic stress patterns in the body
Patient Experiences
Real People. Real Pain. Real Relief.
After a recent medical procedure, I was experiencing severe daily vertigo, headaches, neck & spine pain, tailbone pain, not sleeping and lack of appetite for nearly two months. My first visit with Dr. Ross was nothing short of a miracle. After my first visit I slept through the night, headaches disappeared, vertigo gone and my appetite came back immediately. Dr.Ross uses the gentle NUCCA chiropractic approach and is very thorough during his evaluation. I highly recommend this approach over regular chiropractic care for those who want a gentle and immediate relief of any spinal pain issues. -Thank you Dr. Ross-
Continuing to not have neck pain or headaches has been so nice. Before this treatment, I was constantly worried about my neck pain- and not as happy as I could be. The treatments are so gentle and as someone with anxiety, it was a real positive to not be stressed out by the treatments, they are so gentle- yet precise. Dr Ross is so specific and engineered a plan to get lasting results. Thank you Dr Charlie Ross DC
I had a chiropractic adjustment and it helped me recover. My spinal curvature and pain have now disappeared. I'm very grateful to the doctor for his thorough examination and treatment. I can now work normally. I'm very grateful to Dr. Charlie Ross for his treatment of my body, which has helped me reduce pain and work normally. I highly recommend Dr. Charlie Ross's treatment. He's been very helpful!
Dr. Ross goes above and beyond! I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2011. I was plagued with chronic pain & fatigue, brain fog, and migraines. I couldn't do very much outside of work (desk job). My correction is more complicated than most, but he took the time to properly assess and reassess my case to provide the care that I need. In the short time that I have been a patient of Dr. Ross' (6 months), there has been a remarkable reduction in my symptoms and a significant improvement to my overall quality of life!
As a very active 68-year-old, I want to continue enjoying my golf activities with minimal soreness afterwards. The examination, particularly the x-rays, were very specific and detailed. After a few NUCCA Adjustments, I noticed that my hip pain was gone, I no longer had headaches, and my neck was more mobile. Dr. Ross recommended a very reasonable treatment plan, with the goal of having me come less frequently as the adjustments hold longer. I am very thankful for Dr. Charlie Ross; he is knowledgeable and communicates in a way that you don’t need a Ph.D to understand!!
After years of suffering from neck pain, pain between my shoulders, back pain, and tingling in my arms, I finally found relief. I used to be so uncomfortable that I needed all sorts of different treatments two or three times a week just to get by. NUCCA (Upper Cervical) adjustments have made a huge difference in my day to day life. Over four to six weeks, my symptoms gradually disappeared. Now, I have no back pain at all and can get through my day without discomfort. I no longer feel like I need a treatment just to survive the pain. I still go once or twice a month for a check-up, which keeps me feeling great. What I love about NUCCA is how precise it is. Dr. Charlie Ross is incredibly analytical and figures out exactly what's needed at each visit. It's like a logical, focused, and highly engineered approach to treatment—and it worked for me -without the constant need for more...
Dr. Ross has been tremendously helpful in reducing my pain and fatigue throughout my body along with migraines. Upper Cervical care has improved my quality of life. Dr. Ross is very proactive when it comes to treatment plans and is very thorough with his assessments!
NUCAA: A Special Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique
Is NUCCA Care Right for You?
This is not twisting. This is not cracking. This is not guessing.
NUCCA is one of the most widely known chiropractic techniques aiming to restore balance in your body and address postural distortions.
The Science Behind NUCCA
Neurons fire signals from the brain through the spinal cord to help control specific tissues such as muscles or organs. When the neck or spinal cord is injured, or misaligned due to injury or distortion, psychological functions such as blood pressure, immune system defense, and blood and tissue repair can suffer. NUCCA works by providing gentle adjustments to the C1 and C2 bone alignments. When your neck maintains alignment, the nervous system begins to heal.
Is NUCCA Right for You?
NUCCA can be provided to people of any age, including infants! NUCCA care may be worth exploring if:
- Vertigo episodes are recurring or unpredictable
- You want a conservative, drug-free approach
- You value precision and neurological integrity
- You want to avoid or mitigate painful injections
- You’ve never had your upper cervical spine evaluated
What Happens During a Visit?
- A detailed consultation
- Neurological and postural evaluation
- Specialized upper cervical imaging (when indicated)
- Clear explanations and honest expectations
Meet Our Team
Dr. Charlie Ross D.C
NUCCA Doctor
Dr. Ross specializes in gentle NUCCA chiropractic care focused on restoring alignment, relieving pain, and improving overall well being.
Sophia Fisher
Clinic Coordinator and Social Media Marketing
Sophia aids in the creation and output of the clinics social media marketing as well as assists in scheduling patient appointments
Call Sophia: (206) 504-2225
Healing
Regulating your nervous system improves your overall quality of life
Effective
Precise adjustments leading to long lasting results
Gentle
No more forceful popping, cracking, drugs, or surgery
"Dr. Charlie Ross has been helping me with my hip pain through NUCCA Chiropractic Adjustments, which involve adjusting the top of the neck in a very specific way. As a very active 68-year-old, I want to continue enjoying my golf activities with minimal soreness afterwards. The examination, particularly the x-rays, was very specific and detailed. After a few NUCCA Adjustments, I noticed that my hip pain was gone, I no longer had headaches, and my neck was more mobile. Dr. Ross recommended a very reasonable treatment plan, with the goal of having me come less frequently as the adjustments hold longer. I am very thankful for Dr. Charlie Ross; he is knowledgeable and communicates in a way that you don’t need a Ph.D to understand!"
- Bruce S.
Call Sophia: (206) 504-2225
After a recent medical procedure, I was experiencing severe daily vertigo, headaches, neck & spine pain, tailbone pain, not sleeping and lack of appetite for nearly two months. My first visit with Dr. Ross was nothing short of a miracle. After my first visit I slept through the night, headaches disappeared, vertigo gone and my appetite came back immediately. Dr.Ross uses the gentle NUCCA chiropractic approach and is very thorough during his evaluation. I highly recommend this approach over regular chiropractic care for those who want a gentle and immediate relief of any spinal pain issues. -Thank you Dr. Ross-
Continuing to not have neck pain or headaches has been so nice. Before this treatment, I was constantly worried about my neck pain- and not as happy as I could be. The treatments are so gentle and as someone with anxiety, it was a real positive to not be stressed out by the treatments, they are so gentle- yet precise. Dr Ross is so specific and engineered a plan to get lasting results. Thank you Dr Charlie Ross DC
I had a chiropractic adjustment and it helped me recover. My spinal curvature and pain have now disappeared. I'm very grateful to the doctor for his thorough examination and treatment. I can now work normally. I'm very grateful to Dr. Charlie Ross for his treatment of my body, which has helped me reduce pain and work normally. I highly recommend Dr. Charlie Ross's treatment. He's been very helpful!
Dr. Ross goes above and beyond! I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in 2011. I was plagued with chronic pain & fatigue, brain fog, and migraines. I couldn't do very much outside of work (desk job). My correction is more complicated than most, but he took the time to properly assess and reassess my case to provide the care that I need. In the short time that I have been a patient of Dr. Ross' (6 months), there has been a remarkable reduction in my symptoms and a significant improvement to my overall quality of life!
As a very active 68-year-old, I want to continue enjoying my golf activities with minimal soreness afterwards. The examination, particularly the x-rays, were very specific and detailed. After a few NUCCA Adjustments, I noticed that my hip pain was gone, I no longer had headaches, and my neck was more mobile. Dr. Ross recommended a very reasonable treatment plan, with the goal of having me come less frequently as the adjustments hold longer. I am very thankful for Dr. Charlie Ross; he is knowledgeable and communicates in a way that you don’t need a Ph.D to understand!!
After years of suffering from neck pain, pain between my shoulders, back pain, and tingling in my arms, I finally found relief. I used to be so uncomfortable that I needed all sorts of different treatments two or three times a week just to get by. NUCCA (Upper Cervical) adjustments have made a huge difference in my day to day life. Over four to six weeks, my symptoms gradually disappeared. Now, I have no back pain at all and can get through my day without discomfort. I no longer feel like I need a treatment just to survive the pain. I still go once or twice a month for a check-up, which keeps me feeling great. What I love about NUCCA is how precise it is. Dr. Charlie Ross is incredibly analytical and figures out exactly what's needed at each visit. It's like a logical, focused, and highly engineered approach to treatment—and it worked for me -without the constant need for more...
Dr. Ross has been tremendously helpful in reducing my pain and fatigue throughout my body along with migraines. Upper Cervical care has improved my quality of life. Dr. Ross is very proactive when it comes to treatment plans and is very thorough with his assessments!
© 2026 Dr. Charlie Ross D.C. - All Rights Reserved.