The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy is a specialization within the field of chiropractic. It’s widely recognized as a safe and effective form of treatment which helps restore the natural integrity of the body. This technique aids to re-activate the body’s natural healing abilities.
The atlas is the top, upper vertebrae of the spine in which the head sits on, connecting the skull and the spine. Orthogonal means at right angles, or square. The atlas must be leveled, or square, on the cervical spine, or neck, and the head must be square, or leveled on the atlas.
If the atlas becomes misaligned, or subluxated, it can cause the head to tilt. As a result of the altered posture, the body will instinctively try to straighten the head up by compensating the posture of the spine while also trying to maintain the proper center of gravity on the body. This however, can create on the spine, adding stress throughout the shoulders, the pelvis, the hips, the knees, and the ankles.
Subluxations, or misalignments, can ultimately be deceiving. People often report experiencing symptoms of pain and discomfort along their back, shoulders, arms and legs while the source of their symptoms often originates along the cervical spine or neck.
Table of Contents
The Atlas Vertebral Segment
Specialty of the Atlas Orthogonal
The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy involves gentler adjustment techniques than traditional chiropractic adjustments, where no intense manipulations are required. The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique utilizes an adjusting instrument developed by Dr. Roy W. Sweat with the aid of engineers at Georgia Tech University. The precision of the Atlas Orthogonal Instrument allows for an adjustment with specifically gentle pressure, one which differs from general chiropractic manipulations.
Atlas Orthogonal recognizes the whole influence that the health of the upper cervical spine has on overall structure and function. It is now believed that input into the brain from the spinal buildings is the primary impact on health which chiropractic helps.
This input is what seems to balance specific manual pressure input, through high velocity. This impact is perhaps greatest at the occipito-atlanto-axial joint complex. That’s, the occiput, or base of the skull, on the atlas, which comes in contact with the second vertebra in the cervical spine, or the axis. When the atlas is subluxated, misaligned or shifted, adversely affecting the nerves, further complications may develop.
How the Atlas Orthogonal Instrument Works
Dr Sweat used traditional chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulations to treat patients for over 20 years. He then began using Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic techniques, specializing on correcting spinal issues with a precision adjustment instrument. Utilizing such an instrument eliminated many of the existing variables associated with hand contacts and thrust variation in treatment.
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic therapy efficiently corrects issues which affect the normal range of motion of the vertebrae by producing a voluntary muscular contraction in comparison to manual manipulations which, by definition, take the joint, or several joints, beyond its present range of motion.
After several prototypes created throughout the years, the instrument nowadays is made from a metallic density, activated with a solenoid, or a magnetically influenced stylus which transfers to the conclusion in contact with all the skin’s surface. The pressure produced on the skin is as little as 3 pounds. The movement of the atlas bone has been verified through radiographic studies or X-rays.
Assorted Benefits of the Atlas Orthogonal
Recent studies demonstrate this phenomenon of leg duration inequality (LLI) might be engaged in spinal discomfort syndromes. The patient lies on their straight back, the healthcare professional’s contact with all the legs and feet is reserved to a minimum, while the variation in leg-length is measured. When the patient rests after each adjustment, this can be measured again, and also the chiropractor evaluates exactly what the change means.
The Atlas Orthogonal specialist contacts the soft-tissue overlying the factors of exit of the correct and left C 1 and C2 nerves and tissue compliance, irritation and tenderness. The four points are then rated from 0 to 3, with 3 being the most severe. There should be some instant improvement in the palpation after adjustment.
If more objectivity is needed, the more accepted method of algometry, or use of an epidermis pressure instrument, over the neck can elicit the same result. Instruments are being developed in the USA to supply goal measurement-based on tissue compliance.
Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic techniques ultimately can help relieve asthma, headaches, migraines, dizziness, arthritis, fibromyalgia, poor posture, trigeminal neuralgia, arm/leg pain, autism, allergies, neck/ back pain, carpel-tunnel, herniated disc, and stress, among others.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic and spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss options on the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Cervicogenic Headache and Chiropractic
Neck pain associated with whiplash-associated disorders resulting from an automobile accident are reportedly the most prevalent cause for discomfort along the cervical spine. The sheer force of an impact from a rear-end car crash or other traffic incident can cause injuries or aggravate a previously existing condition. While neck pain is commonly the result of damage to the complex structures of the neck, cervicogenic headaches may also result due to neck issues. Chiropractic care can help carefully restore the alignment of the cervical spine to relieve headaches and neck pain.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
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