When I first went to see Dr. Chavez I will openly admit that while I was very hopeful, I was just as hesitant and skeptic as well. After dealing with severe chronic back pain for the last ten years, I have seen my share of Doctors and healers. I have seen everyone from neurologists, pain doctors, thoracic surgeons, acupuncturists, traditional chiropractors; basically if the care is provided I have attempted it. Every year passing by, it seemed as if I was slowly slipping away, becoming weaker and taking on some type of new sickness in my body. With each new doctor I became excited, optimistic, convincing myself that this was it, this doctor was the one, and it would not be long until I was well again! Then some time would pass and my excitement would slowly dwindle down and just like clockwork I would start to see the same reaction within my doctors. I would feel as if though my doctors would become frustrated with my lack of progress, not being a quick fix or easy to diagnose, so just like the doctor before I would be “referred to someone more equipped to handle my pain.” Eventually it became nearly impossible to see any light waiting at the end of my tunnel, so many times I have wanted to give up and loose hope of ever getting better. When you see the consistent lack of confidence in those who should be making you well, what is suppose to be reassuring you? So after picking myself up time and time again, my hesitance was not so much in Dr. Chavez but more in preparation to be let down again. Let me assure you that this was never the case and months later I still hold all my confidence within the NUCCA practice and especially Dr. Chavez.

I knew almost immediately that this was the place I needed to be, and that Dr. Chavez was the person who would heal me, there were no doubts at all. This feeling came from the energy I felt just being there, the energy Dr. Chavez puts off is absolutely incredible, and there are no words. It is as if you just feel his confidence in healing, his positive drive to want to help, it becomes so contagious that I started believing in myself again, my hope started to shine more and more just by being in his presence and hearing all of his encouragement. It is always hard at first for me to discuss all my symptoms, after two major back surgeries at such a young age, I realize all the mistakes I have personally made to complicate my path to healing. I have allowed injections and procedures that should have never been done since then, I have managed to accumulate quite the medicine cabinet, I could literally blame myself for hours for all the bad decisions I have made. Often sharing that, leaves me with some sort of lecture or criticism, and when I began to share these things with Dr. Chavez I was pleasantly surprised when he just sat there listening, with no judgment at all. I never felt ashamed or embarrassed; it just left me feeling more comfortable to open up more about my past and current conditions, allowing for a purely honest and open relationship. When I felt as if though I could not be any more astonished by this man he had asked me to bring in all of my medical records so he could take them home and look them all over for himself, this was a hefty stack of papers, he had also mentioned to me that if I ever wanted any advice or needed any help with any of my back doctors or problems he would do whatever he could to help outside of his office. I wanted to cry, in fact I did cry on the way home, for the first time I felt someone was fighting just as hard as me, someone really wanted to see me get better and I could feel it completely, I was almost overwhelmed with excitement.

It was unsure how far I would come with this program since I have a spinal fusion and hardware along my spine, but knowing any change would be a positive change, I never concerned myself to much with the exact numbers. However now that my own body has surprised me that’s a little different, I have come a long way in a short time, much further than ever expected. My shoulders are actually balanced out to zero! INCREDIBLE! My head doesn’t appear as if though it wants to roll away, I can walk straight with my head up and looking out straight. I do not think I have done that in over ten years, so I felt great about it! Even my hips continue to balance out, there are not at zero yet, but much closer than they were six months ago and I have total faith that I will get there. It is very exciting to see my progress every week, and it is almost just as exciting to see Dr. Chavez care so much about one persons progress. He has also helped me to start working on a journal so I can begin healing emotionally as well, the entire program is a process of being well as a person in and out, not covering the symptoms with a band aid. I have slowly began feeling better physically as my headaches are almost completely gone, the sensitivity of my skin is hardly noticeable and the tension among my left side is slowly going away. Mentally I feel happier, more enthusiastic and enlightened knowing that my chance of a real future still applies.

Dr. Chavez has been there for me in so many ways, I could go on forever, things not even relating to my back at all, he has been a huge emotional support for me and I thank my angels every day that my path has led me to him. There are not enough words to express my gratitude for your healing and my complete appreciation for you believing in me, so that I may start believing in myself again.

-Michelle Carlson October, 2010

I have suffered from neck and back pain caused by a whiplash injury for over 20 years. The constant pain and discomfort has impacted me physically (preventing me from participating in activities that I enjoyed but knew would make the pain worse); mentally (constantly thinking about how much I hurt and if I would ever be free of pain) emotionally (lacking focus and being short with my family because I was constantly fatigued.)

I have tried pain medications, massage, physical therapy and even traditional chiropractic care. All of these were a quick fix that gave me temporary relief, but the pain always returned. I was almost resigned to the fact that my pain was something that could never be cured, only managed.

A friend suggested I look into NUCCA chiropractic and referred me to Dr. Chavez. I had tried so many things but was open to just about anything that might help. I met with Dr. Chavez and was very impressed with how much listened to me and how thorough he was with my initial evaluation. He took time to talk with me about NUCCA, how it is different and how it can help me. What he taught me made a lot of sense. For the first time in a long time, I was hopeful there was relief in sight.

NUCCA techniques are very different from the chiropractic care I have been receiving and I was a bit skeptical at first. But after seeing Dr. Chavez for about three months, I car really see some improvements. My adjustments are starting to hold for longer and longer periods of time. I have very little pain. I notice my posture is easier to maintain – I don’t feel like I am constantly fighting my body to have proper posture. I also notice that I go for days without even thinking about my neck. And probably the biggest improvement is that my mental state has improved. I am better able to handle stressful situations that before would have really affected me.

Dr. Chavez is clearly passionate about what he does. Whether educating his patients or healing them, he is genuinely concerned for their heath and wellbeing. I would highly recommend NUCCA and Dr. Chavez!

-Chris Bianco

I had the good fortune to begin working with Dr. Mario Chavez at Vita Nova Spinal care about a year ago.  I have worked with a number of Chiropractors in the past both directly by receiving treatment and vicariously through my clients whom were receiving chiropractic care.  I first learned about NUUCA care through the CHEK Institute where I am doing my post graduate work.

After researching the NUCCA philosophy I was eager to give it a try.  I was amazed at how such a subtle adjustment could produce such powerful and immediate results.  After 2-3 adjustments I was able to see a major improvement in my postural balance as well as in my athletic performance that I had not been able to achieve with exercise and conventional chiropractic care alone.

Once I experienced the results for myself I was ready to bring my clientele on board.  Many of my clients had hit a plateau with their current chiropractic care despite being treated 3 times per week for over 5 years.  After just 2-3 NUUCA adjustments I saw changes other chiropractors had not been able to achieve in years!  I witnessed chronic neck and shoulder pain disappear in weeks.  I saw a marked improvement in my athletes speed and strength, but most impressively I witnessed a dramatic increase in my clients recovery time from exercise allowing them to get more out of every work and thus better results.  I am truly thankful for the work that Dr. Chavez performs and recommend Vita Nova Spinal care to all of my clients.

T.J. Pierce
BS Exercise Science
CHEK Practitioner 2

I’ve been a patient of Dr. Chavez since he started his practice which has been a little over a year. I’ve been telling him for a while now that I am going to write him my testimonial, so long that he thinks it will probably never happen. Well here it is.

When I first started what I considered my first real job out of college I had struggled with constant lower back pain because i set at a desk in front of a computer for almost 8 hours a day. I had seen a traditional chiropractor in previous years but I quit going because it seemed that I would be in every week and eventually would return exactly back the way it was within 2-3 days of visiting. I honestly didn’t think Dr. Chavez did much on my first adjustment that he gave me. I thought there is no way he could help my lower back by adjusting my atlas, well it has.

Today I enjoy life without lower back pain.

This has improved my quality of life so much that it has made me a believer in NUCCA. He has been a huge support in my life and has helped me to stop smoking and live a healthier lifestyle. Yesterday I was in and told him I’m not sure if he can help me or if I may need to go see a family doctor for it, but I felt I had a sore throat that was stemming from an earache. Well low and behold he adjusted me and less than 24 hours my sore throat is gone. My only problem is that I underestimate the power of NUCCA and amazed at how much healthier I feel. With so much corruption in the medical and pharmaceutical industry, how can you not try a drug free approach to healing, a healing that comes from yourself!

Granted the daily stresses of life are still there but this has enabled me to approach my day much better because I feel better. After a year I get adjusted maybe once every few months and really am still amazed that what he does helps my whole body. I am so glad that he has helped me that I wanted to give a little back to him by telling my experience that the Chavez team has provided for me. It is a necessity in my life.

-Anthony B.

I have gone to a chiropractor for many years for the care and maintenance of my back and overall health!
I was referred to Dr. Chavez because I was having trouble with chronic headaches, neck, and upper back pain.
Within a few weeks of starting care with him, my headaches and pain improved drastically. I am now almost completely
pain free! I have been able to step up my workout routine, stop taking pain relievers and I sleep like a baby!

-Michelle W.

I had a scheduled appointment for my son to have tubes put into his ears to alleviate his chronic earaches. The day before the operation, I learned that NUCCA can help with my son’s ear problem. I cancelled the operation and started NUCCA treatment right away. Eight months later, my son has still yet to have another earache. NUCCA also helped with his acid reflux.

-Paul W. about his son Finnigan

Over the last 12 weeks, I have learned about the importance of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care and how it fits into overall fitness.

Working with both Neil Habgood, my personal trainer that recommended I get NUCCA care, and Dr. Chavez, I have noticed a big change in my overall fitness and energy level. When I started, I was overweight, felt sluggish and tired, and had a very sore back and knees. During early workouts with Neil, I had difficulty completing many of the exercises and I had trouble with my balance. Getting NUCCA care with Dr. Chavez corrected my balance, which allowed Neil to work with me in a corrective way.

I have learned how to stretch, and reactivate muscles that I have not used in years, and with proper alignment of my neck, this caused my aches and pains to leave. I have lost 14 pounds of fat, and I feel much more energetic. I am able to balance much better, and there has been a change in my posture and I can now complete exercises that I was unable to when I first started. I have learned a completely new way to work out. This has been an exciting and challenging journey.

–Barry Travis

I first came to Dr. Chavez for NUCCA care because my neck and upper back had been bothering me for a while and began aching to the point where I was not sleeping well and had head aches.

I have always been very active whether it was swimming for Arapahoe High School or doing Crossfit: an intense, full body, varied workout program, at my Dad’s gym. I have always loved working out and have been relatively fit. However, about the time my neck and back were hurting I became relatively stagnant in my times in Crossfit.

After getting NUCCA treatment for only a few weeks my time for a work out called Angie (100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups, and 100 squats) dropped by 3 minutes. Dr. Chavez and the NUCCA treatment has also helped me sleep better and have more energy throughout the day for not only workouts but for school and life. It really makes a huge difference and I really recommend Dr. Chavez and the NUCCA care.

– Devon Smith

Thank you Dr. Chavez and Vita Nova for your compassionate chiropractic care!

After seven years of chronic neck and back pain, I am astonished at how easily you determined the source of my pain and holistically developed a plan to treat it.

Not only have you offered a relief from physical pain; your attentiveness to my needs has fostered:

1) Better mental, emotional, and spiritual health

2) healing

3) Hope!

God Bless You!

–Mercy G.

Tired of your children getting constant ear infections and seemingly endless rounds of antibiotics?

Four months ago, my then 12 month old was on her 4th round of antibiotics (3 ear infections and 1 Urinary Tract Infection) and I became sick to my stomach when I thought I may have to give her another round of antibiotics if she contracted another ear infection, so I began investigating other options…I admit that I have always been skeptical of chiropractic care. I had always heard that if you go once, you may feel some relief for a short period of time, but you quickly end up where you began.

I found out about Dr. Mario Chavez who practices NUCCA chiropractic medicine. This is a different chiropractic care than what I had expected. This type of chiropractic care focuses on the atlas bone (in adults and children), which is the top-most vertebrae on your spine. The theory is, is that if he adjusts that single vertebrae, every other vertebrae follows suit and adjusts itself. My daughters (4 and now 16 months) have had recurring ear infections. And my oldest daughter was consistently constipated. Since going to Dr. Chavez (for 4 months), my daughter now poops 1-2 times per day, when before she would go one time every 3-4 days.

I don’t know if it’s the adjustments or if it’s the whole food vitamins she takes 2 times a day, but all I know is that it’s working.

She has also not been sick AT ALL. My youngest was running a fever this week and I expected another ear infection. I brought her immediately to see Dr. Chavez and he adjusted her. Again, I don’t know if it was a combination of the adjustment and the vitamins I gave her, but her fever and symptoms were gone the next morning.

I have also been seeing Dr. Chavez because I had MAJOR neck/shoulder pain and daily headaches. I am an architect and sit at my desk drawing most of the day. My pain is now gone. I HIGHLY recommend this business!

–E. Adams