Definition
The atlas (C1) is the first vertebral body of the spine, which is located directly under the skull. Together with the second vertebral body, it forms a functional unit and enables the skull to move in a wide range of ways relative to the rest of the body. The movement of flexion (flexion) and extension (extension) is only made possible by the shape and arrangement of the joint surfaces on the atlas. Atlas correction is a form of therapy that realigns a non-physiological position of the atlas and returns it to its anatomically meaningful position. For this purpose, the local autochthonous as well as the secondary back muscles are loosened and can thus enable a reduction (reorientation).
Indication
Malpositions of the atlas can occur right from the beginning of life. These can already be caused by the physical stress of the birth process. Further reasons can be a traumatic accident during sports, traffic or falls.
To secure the airway, a malposition of the atlas can also occur during intubation. Indicated is a measure for chronic complaints, which occur mainly in the area of the locomotor system. Back pain, scoliosis, poor posture, formication, regularly occurring headaches, migraine, herniated disc, lumbago, pelvic obliquity with leg length difference as well as hip and knee pain are possible.
Here, the therapy of an atlas correction can be an option, if after clarification of further causes no other reasons for the complaints could be found. Due to the interaction of the cervical spine with nerve cords, as well as the blood supply to the head and brain, constant unexplained tiredness or unclear dizziness can also be further reasons for this therapy. The proximity to different nerve cords can also influence the independent/autonomous nervous system (vegetative), so that, for example, digestive problems with a hitherto unknown cause can be a further indication for an atlas correction.
Associated symptoms
Symptoms of an atlas malalignment can be very variable and can present themselves locally in the form of headaches (tension headaches), migraine, dizziness or jaw malpositions. Related to the entire musculoskeletal system, incorrect loading can occur, which in turn can be accompanied by pain. The areas of the hip and knee joints as well as the spine are predestined for this (back pain up to the clinical picture of a herniated disc, scoliosis, lumbago, as well as pelvic obliquity and the resulting leg length difference).
In the context of the vegetative nervous system, symptoms can also result from influencing the vagus nerve (vagus nerve). In particular, this results in possible dysregulations of the internal organs, such as the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract or spleen. In the area of the spinal column, excessive kyphosis or lordosis can be pronounced in the context of poor posture, so that compressions can result.
These in turn can trigger disturbances of the vascular supply, as well as lymph drainage and nervous disorders (nerve disorders), resulting in symptoms of reduced blood circulation, lymph drainage and sensitivity disorders. The symptom is a disturbance of the balance due to uncoordinated information to the brain. Different etiologies (origins) can be seen as the reason for dizziness.
With reference to the atlas correction it can be mentioned that in the area of the neck the vessels supplying the brain flow in and out and important pathways for motor function and sensitivity run. There are also baroreceptors as a mechanism of blood pressure regulation. Manipulation in this area can, under certain circumstances, lead to circulatory disorders of the brain, irritation of receptors or mechanical stress on nerves, which in turn can cause dizziness.
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