[fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]The top bone of your neck, sometimes called C-1, or atlas, is the most important bone in your spine. Your head sits directly on top of your atlas, and is able to rotate because of the type of joint that is created there. Your neck lines up below that based on how C-1 is positioned. This makes it important for C-1 to be positioned correctly, because the rest of the spine will follow suit.[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″ last=”no” spacing=”yes” center_content=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” background_color=”” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” hover_type=”none” link=”” border_position=”all” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding=”” margin_top=”” margin_bottom=”” animation_type=”” animation_direction=”” animation_speed=”0.1″ animation_offset=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_text]
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[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container][fusion_builder_container background_color=”” background_image=”” background_parallax=”none” enable_mobile=”no” parallax_speed=”0.3″ background_repeat=”no-repeat” background_position=”left top” video_url=”” video_aspect_ratio=”16:9″ video_webm=”” video_mp4=”” video_ogv=”” video_preview_image=”” overlay_color=”” overlay_opacity=”0.5″ video_mute=”yes” video_loop=”yes” fade=”no” border_size=”0px” border_color=”” border_style=”” padding_top=”20″ padding_bottom=”20″ padding_left=”” padding_right=”” hundred_percent=”no” equal_height_columns=”no” hide_on_mobile=”no” menu_anchor=”” class=”” id=””][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][fusion_text]There are many important structures that are directly affected by the position of the atlas bone. These include:
- The C-1 and C-2 nerve roots, right at the back of your head at the base of the skull, lay directly above and below the atlas. They become extremely sensitive and swell when the atlas shifts out of normal orientation.
- The vertebral arteries on each side make a number of 90 degree turns at C-1 before entering into the skull and feeding the majority of the brain. Misalignment at C-1 can put pressure or stretch on those arteries and affect blood flow to the brain. (Migraine headaches are thought to be caused by spastic arteries within the brain. We find misalignment of atlas and migraine headaches to be linked.)
- The muscles at the back of your head, into your neck, shoulders and even your low back can be affected by a misalignment of C-1. Fibers from this area run to all of these areas, even as low as the bottom of your spine (L-5.) These muscles can become painful, tight, and can even cause dizziness.
- The dura mater, or sack, that contains the brain and spinal cord is attached to C-1. With misalignment of C-1, there is the potential to put tension on this sack. This can cause pressure changes in cerebral spinal fluid flow, because the cerebral spinal fluid is contained and moves within this sack. We speculate that this is a cause for tension headaches. Normalizing C-1 alignment usually eliminates tension headaches quickly.
- The TMJ, or jaw, is typically less than ¾ of an inch from the atlas and is attached by soft tissue. Misalignment of the atlas can put pressure or tension on the TMJ and cause symptoms in that region.
- The eustachian tubes, or ear canals, can be pulled to tension when the atlas misaligns. Soft tissue in the area causes this, much like in the TMJ region. Similarly, correction of an atlas misalignment can facilitate drainage and proper flow of the ear canals. This is why chiropractic adjustments can be so effective for ear infections.
The atlas is named for the Greek god Atlas, who is held the world on his shoulders. What better name for such an important bone?
Dr. Laurel Griffin
November 12, 2014[/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]