Is the Atlas critical?
The critical role of the Atlas
The little Atlas bone is the first vertebra of the spinal column (C1) and supports the weight of the head. It is concave on top to accept the convex base of the skull, and it is convex on the bottom to fit into the concave of the next vertebra.
Central to the vertebra runs the spinal cord, carrying a host of body control messages from the brain, via 2 pair of cranial nerves originating from the cerebrum, and 10 pair of nerves coming from the brainstem. Another 31 pairs of spinal nerves originate from the spinal cord. They travel throughout the body, reaching every millimeter of body tissue.
The slightest degree of subluxation (misalignment) anywhere along the spinal column but especially at the sensitive nerves close to the C1/C2 joint causes irritation and inflammation. This in turn can cause headaches, neck pain, dizziness, and other health problems in the body.
In order for nerve messages to flow freely through the nerves, like “electricity through wires” the atlas must be restored to a perfectly balanced position.
When the atlas misaligns, it causes the head to tilt off center. By correcting the atlas precisely, it is possible to affect the lower spine, which may have been compensating for a misaligned atlas.
Adjustments done only to the Lower part of the spine are thus ineffective. The Upper Cervical correction enables restricted and misaligned vertebrae of the entire spine to achieve better alignment. This includes the pelvis and hips.
It is a painless and safe spinal correction. The goal is to re-position the weight of your head over the center of your neck as close as possible.