Be Wise How Spinal Care Affects Your Total Health

1. How is the Nervous System related to your Health?

There are 11 total systems in our bodies. They are: the Nervous System, Skeletal System, Muscular System, Integumentary System (Skin), Cardiovascular System, Respiratory System, Digestive System, Endocrine System, Lymphatic System, Reproductive System, and Urinary System. The Nervous System controls ALL of the 10 other systems in the body. The Nervous System consists of the brain, brainstem, spinal cord, and all the nerves. Our brain is our master computer. Its only job is to control and regulate everything that goes on in our bodies (ex. breathing, digesting food, memory & concentration, muscle movement, etc.).

2. How does the Brain Control Everything in our Body?

Every cell in our body must be connected to the brain, much like a tree. Every branch, leaf and flower on the tree is connected to the trunk, which supplies the whole tree with all its nutrients to stay alive. The spinal cord and nerves are the body’s branches. The spinal cord and nerves are the pathway for the brain to send and receive messages from every cell in our body, every second of every day. This all happens without us even thinking about it. Brain messages leave the brain by way of the brainstem, pass through the neck, down the spinal cord and out over the entire nervous system to all parts of the body. Without these messages, we would not be able to sleep, move, eat, think, or breathe. These very same messages allow the body to begin it own natural self-healing process.

3. What Protects the vital Nervous System?

The skull (which is one hard bone) protects the brain and the spinal column or spine (which is 26 separate bones called vertebra) protects the spinal cord. The vertebra in the spine are separate bones to allow for movement. If the spine was one long bone, we would not be able to bend over, tie our shoes, play sports, etc. However, because the vertebra in the spine are separate, they can move in and out of place. When they move out of place, they put pressure on the nerve in that area and affect the function of the organ or tissue at the end of that nerve. It’s like breaking a branch on a tree, eventually everything on that branch will die because it is no longer connected to its lifeline, its trunk. When there is pressure on the nerve, it is no longer properly connected to the brain, and that part will eventually die.

4. What is the Importance of the Atlas Vertebra?

The Atlas vertebra is the first bone in the spine. It is called the Atlas because it holds ‘your world up’ (your brain), similar to Atlas in Greek Mythology. He held the world on his shoulders. The Atlas is the direct connection between the brain and the body. The Atlas area is very unique and should be treated as such for several reasons:

• There are discs and joints between each bone in the spine, but there are NO discs or joints above or below the Atlas. This is why we have the most motion in our upper neck area. The only thing that holds the Atlas in place are muscles and ligaments.
• The lower brainstem sits in the Atlas area. It controls regulatory functions such as heart rate and breathing. This is also the area where the nerves cross sides. We know that the right side of the brain controls the left side of the body and visa versa. The lower brainstem is where the nerves cross.
• ALL nerves in the body have to pass through this area. Even nerves that control the lower part of the body (legs and feet) pass through this area. Example: If someone was to fall and break their neck, they would either, die or be paralyzed from the neck down, known as a quadriplegic. This is what happened to Superman.
• There is an artery that runs up the sides of all the neck bones. At the Atlas, it makes 4 turns to get up into the skull. This artery is the brain’s major blood supply. If the Atlas is out of place, it’s not only affecting the nerve supply to the body but also the blood supply to the brain.
• When the Atlas is out of position, it affects the balance of the entire musculoskeletal system. The rest of the body starts to compensate for the misalignment at the top.
• Proper alignment of the Atlas is crucial to good health!

5. What is the Atlas Subluxation Complex (ASC)?

When the Atlas is moved out of place, it puts pressure on the brainstem and spinal cord and creates disruptions in the nervous system. Any part of the body can be affected by these disruptions because every nerve passes through this area. That is also why hundreds of different conditions have responded to an Atlas correction. Unlike the rest of the spine that has discs and joints to help keep the bones in place, the Atlas has no discs or joints to help keep it in place. It can’t move itself back. The Atlas has to be put back into place very precisely.

6. What are the Causes and Effects of an Atlas Subluxation Complex?

• There are numerous ways someone can misalign their Atlas, beginning with birth. Other accidents such as: car accidents, bicycle accidents, falls, hitting your head, and sports injuries can also cause the Atlas to misalign. Bad sleeping habits, poor posture, chemicals, pollution, poor diet, and stress are other common causes.
• When the nerve supply to the body is affected, almost anything can go wrong. People not only suffer from chronic pain (neck, back, shoulder, arm, hip, leg, foot) but also other symptoms less commonly associated with chiropractic. They include: allergies, asthma, arthritis, ADHD, bed wetting, carpal tunnel syndrome, cerebral palsy, child development, chronic infections (ear & sinus), constipation, depression, digestive issues, frequent colds/flu, headaches of all types, high blood pressure, herniated discs, infertility, insomnia, muscle spasms, nervousness, neuralgia, numbness, poor vision, scoliosis, tendonitis, TMJ, ulcers, whiplash or even Multiple Sclerosis.

7. What is Atlas Orthogonal (A/O) Chiropractic?

A/O chiropractors are extensively trained in the Atlas area, also known as the Upper Cervical Area. A/O chiropractic focuses on specifically repositioning the Atlas vertebra into its proper position. A/O is a state-of-the-art spinal correction procedure without any forceful manipulation to the spine. The adjustment is done using a single, directed sound wave.

8. What are the stages in the Atlas Orthogonal Spinal Correction Process?

• Nervous System evaluation - the doctor will check body balance, posture, muscle tone, muscle resistance, and range of motion to determine if there is an Atlas misalignment present.
• Pre-Treatment Diagnostic Imaging- A set of 4 Pre (before) x-rays will be taken to determine the exact direction of the Atlas misalignment. The misalignment is measured down to .5 mm. This will show the tipping, lateral slipping and rotation of the Atlas and rotation of the Axis (second bone in the spine). The Pre x-rays will determine the formula for the correction. Every patient’s misalignment is different therefore every patient’s adjustment will be different, similar to a set of fingerprints.
• Treatment utilizing the A/O Percussion Instrument- The adjustment is determined from the x-rays. The x-rays show exactly how to set the patient up on the table and where to aim the percussion instrument to adjust. This spinal correction procedure is painless, proven, and scientific. There is never any twisting, pulling, or popping involved.
• Post-Treatment Diagnostic Imaging- A set of 2 Post (after) x-rays are taken for two reasons. The first, to determine the effectiveness of the correction. Second, to see what, if any, modifications are necessary for future adjustments.
• Follow-up Care- The goal is for patient’s to begin holding their correct alignment. The body does initially go through a stabilizing and healing period, in which several corrections may be necessary before the body begins to hold the correction. Maintaining the proper alignment is necessary to prevent interruption in the healing process. When the body has stabilized, periodic check-ups are scheduled to monitor your ability to hold the alignment correction. This enables the person to enjoy a better quality of life and enjoy optimum health.

9. What Results can be obtained with an Atlas correction?

There are many benefits to correcting the Atlas alignment, such as; Decrease in pain, symptoms, sickness, muscle spasm, medications, and doctor’s visits. People also see an Increase in energy, memory & concentration, overall health, immune function, athletic ability and activity.

10. Who needs to have their Atlas checked for misalignment?

Everyone. If your head is attached to the top of your neck, then there is a possibility you could have an Atlas misalignment. Many people do not even know they have a misalignment, if you experience any one of the above symptoms, you should definitely be checked. The only doctor able to determine if there is an Atlas misalignment is an Upper Cervical doctor. See one today!