How Jackupuncture Uses NeckCare to Support UFC Athletes

At Jackupuncture, performance and recovery are interconnected. Located in Hawaii, this specialized acupuncture and neuro-rehabilitation practice caters to elite athletes, many of whom are professionals in combat sports, who require the highest quality of care both during and after competition.

Founded by former fighter and performance acupuncturist Jack Fonderwhite, Jackupuncture has carved out a unique space in sports medicine. From Muay Thai fighters and MMA professionals to ultramarathoners and triathletes, Jack's athletes train rigorously and endure tough hits, often involving the neck.

“Head trauma is part of contact sports,” Jack says, “but what we were missing in concussion care was objective data—especially when it came to the neck. We needed something to help us measure what athletes couldn’t always describe. That’s where NeckCare came in.”

Why objective data changes the game for concussion recovery

Jack began integrating NeckCare’s objective cervical spine assessments into his return-to-play process. In a sport where concussions are common, and symptoms can be vague or delayed, NeckCare provides data that helps bridge the gap between how an athlete feels and how their body is actually performing.

What sets Jack’s approach apart is how he combines traditional modalities such as acupuncture and soft tissue work with modern, objective tools. His “Peak Mind” protocol includes EEG, autonomic testing, balance assessments, and sensorimotor evaluations. NeckCare plays a role in helping assess cervical function and tracking rehab progress.

“We often see athletes who think they’ve recovered—until they see the data,” Jack says. “That’s the moment they start to buy in. NeckCare helps make that real for them.”

Making care accessible to athletes

Rather than working from a fixed protocol, Jack tailors recovery plans to each athlete’s functional status—often building custom home programs, and adapting them to match an athlete’s gym equipment and training needs. The result is care that’s precise, relevant, and sustainable.

While Jackupuncture serves some of the world’s best fighters, its mission is bigger than just one gym. Jack is currently developing a new program called “Peak Combat”. This initiative aims to provide high-level concussion care, including NeckCare assessments, to more patients at a more affordable price.

“Not every fighter is a UFC champion. But they still take the same hits,” he says. “With Peak Combat, we want to make this level of care accessible—because they all deserve to recover fully and return safely.”

At NeckCare, we’re proud to support providers like Jack, who lead with science, objectivity and a deep commitment to their athletes’ long-term health. From their practice to the octagon, their work is shaping the future of concussion care.