Atlas adjustment in a single session

For a long time, manual therapists have attempted various techniques to return the Atlas to its correct position, often without success or with only a small percentage of permanent results. The methods available so far have, as a rule, not led to meaningful and long-lasting changes in the first cervical vertebra's position. Evidence for this can be found in the fact that the techniques have to be applied over and over again.

When the ATLANTOtec® method is used, however, the resulting positive changes to health are often continuous and long-term.

Why is this? To permanently correct the position of the first vertebra, first of all it is necessary to sufficiently relax the deep musculature that holds the first vertebra in place. This is hardly possible if done manually; a fact that any experienced treatment specialist can confirm. This is why ATLANTOtec® uses a device that has been especially developed for the purpose.

To understand the advantages of the ATLANTOtec® technique, it is necessary to understand the anatomy of the Atlas-head joint.

This joint is unique in that it is held in its correct position by a variety of muscle layers and various ligaments. This characteristic guarantees high joint stability, and functions as if the Atlas were a part of the head and not a stand-alone vertebra.

Very rigid ligaments and sub-occipital musculature that is almost always tense lead to very limited elasticity in this joint. The Atlas has the tendency to remain in its orientation and position even if it is not the correct one. Existing conditions can only be changed with the application of external forces of a certain level of intensity.

Rather than short and immediate impulses as used during chiropractic manipulation, the ATLANTOtec® technique operates through the application of continuous and adequate pressure on precisely-defined points of the occipital musculature. This targeted pressure of sufficient intensity makes it possible for the muscles surrounding the Atlas vertebra to gently expand and lead the Atlas, step by step, back to its correct position.

Think of an image from metallurgy (the so-called plastic effect) to better understand why a chiropractic impulse is insufficiently effective in correcting the Atlas: You will not be able to bend an aluminum sheet into a 90-degree angle by hitting it only once with a hammer; rather you need a special bending press to apply a force of suitable intensity and sufficient duration.

Add to this that in order to bend a plate to a 90-degree angle, a bending press has to be set at an angle greater than 90 degrees, namely around 100 degrees, in order to counteract the material's elastic effect.

However, when you set the folding machine to only a 90-degree angle, the plate will only bend to an angle of 80 degrees during the process.

It goes without saying that the application of too little force for too little time, or the application of said force on the wrong point, will not lead to the desired result.

ATLANTOtec® uses the same principle when correcting the Atlas: to move the first vertebra to the desired position a one-time pressure will be insufficient. Rather progressive force at the right point and correct angle is needed to reach the hypothetical 100 degrees in the above-mentioned range. Thus the Atlas can be stabilized into the correct position even after the influencing force is discontinued.

Experience has shown that, in contrast to most other methods, this approach will deliver longlasting results.

There are no risks associated with the ATLANTOtec® method because the correction of the Atlas takes place gently, even though under continuously increasing pressure – and does not entail the generally feared sudden and jerking neck movement experienced during chiropractic manipulation.

How do we determine the position of the Atlas?

Incorrect positioning of the Atlas is determined by a close manual examination of the relevant area. This requires a particular technique and the specially trained fingers of an Atlastechnician. Since the Atlas is surrounded by various layers of muscles that can be expanded and contracted in different ways, this can lead to a totally wrong diagnosis.

This is why few therapists and even fewer doctors are able to evaluate the position of the Atlas correctly, while hardly anyone at all can do anything to counter the misalignment. Without the appropriate technique – such as ATLANTOtec® – it is not possible to solve the problem.

Please note: With a standard X-ray or magnetic resonance image the position of the Atlas CANNOT be displayed correctly and therefore it is NOT possible to visualize the rotation of the Atlas with this procedure! It is essential to use a spiral CT scanner with the correct settings, otherwise the CT images are not sufficient for this purpose.

A spiral CT scan is not essential to conduct the treatment, because as mentioned above, the position of the Atlas can be determined with the fingers, except in a few rare cases.

Anatomy of the cervical spine