Forbes Family Chiropractic, PC

What is the Atlas?

The atlas is the first cervical vertebra or bone of the spine. The skull sits directly on top of the atlas and the atlas meets up with the rest of the spine. The atlas (C1) is unique in that the C1/C2 joint accounts for most of the rotation of the neck, and therefore it has a greater propensity to become misaligned.  As a result, the more specific the correction is, the more likely the misalignment will be corrected.

The atlas is also near a structure of the brain called the medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is a very important structure because it controls autonomic functions such as breathing and heart beat.  The roots of the 1st and 2nd cervical nerves are in very close proximity to the C1/C2 joint. After passing the C1/C2 joints, the 1st and 2nd cervical nerves branch up and out to structures of the head.

What is the atlas?

What happens when the Atlas misaligns?

An Atlas Orthogonal Doctor will use different tools to determine if the atlas is misaligned. Most often a patient will present with pain or some other complaint.  After that, the Doctor will determine if the atlas is misaligned or subluxated by taking specific x-rays and performing other diagnostic tests.

When properly aligned, the atlas should be parallel with the floor when a person is sitting or standing. Then if a line is drawn down from the center of the skull, it should form a 90 degree angle with the plane line of the atlas.  A line drawn through the center of the cervical spine (neck) should also form a 90 degree angle with the plane line of the atlas. The doctor determines this from the x-rays he takes.

Properly aligned atlas.

Subluxated atlas.

When the atlas is misaligned, or subluxated, the atlas plane line will not be parallel with the floor. Consequently, the    lines drawn through the center of the skull and cervical spine will not meet at 90 degree angles with the atlas plane line.  This once again is determined by analyzing the x-rays.

Among other things, when the atlas misaligns, the sensitive nerves that are in close proximity to the C1/C2 joint become irritated and inflamed. This irritation can cause headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and other symptoms.

When the atlas misaligns, it also causes the head to tilt off center.  As a result, the lower spine will compensate by shifting around until the head sits level again.  By correcting the atlas precisely, it is possible to influence the lower spine, which may have been compensating for a misaligned atlas.

Atlas Subluxated.

Atlas Normal.
Atlas Subluxated
Atlas Normal

The Atlas Orthogonal Adjustment

The atlas orthogonal precision instrument (see picture below) was designed to deliver a precise chiropractic adjustment based on the specific misalignment findings derived from x-rays. Technically, the instrument delivers a mechanical impulse through a metal stylus by means of a pressure-controlled actuator.

The stylus applies a mechanical force to the patient’s atlas (1st cervical vertebra) correcting the misalignment. The instrument allows the doctor to adjust the atlas misalignment with a very high degree of precision while applying minimal physical pressure. This unique feature eliminates most patient discomfort during treatment.

Dr. Forbes adjusting a patient with the stylus.
BuiltWithNOF
[Home] [About Us] [About Chiropractic] [Services] [Atlas Orthogonal] [Activator] [Therapies] [Health & Wellness] [X-Ray] [Insurance Info.] [New Patient Forms] [Testimonials] [Events] [What we treat] [Contact Us]