What is the Atlas Orthogonal (AO) Technique? | Sooley Chiropractic (2024)
The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique, often abbreviated AO, is a specialty within the field of chiropractic that focuses on the upper cervical region. Even more specifically, practitioners of the Atlas Orthogonal technique concentrate on the Atlas vertebrae – the very first bone in the neck. Their goal is to make the Atlas bone orthogonal (or exactly perpendicular) to the skull. This is where the approach gets its name.
The premise behind AO is that the first bone – the atlas – is central to the alignment of the remainder of the column. Imagine a marching band where the first member is out of position. All the other band members position themselves relative to the first member. When the first member is out of place, the entire band is out of formation. This is a crude analogy to explain the critical role played by the atlas in directing the alignment of the other vertebrae.
And, it’s not hard to imagine how the atlas may be out of alignment. The rather light atlas (it weighs about 2 ounces) supports the weight of the human head (which weighs about 9 to 17 pounds). Imagine the head as a golf ball and the atlas as the top of a golf tee. The small tee is best able to support the weight of the golf ball on top when it is straight up and down. The atlas can become misaligned as a result of chronic poor standing or sitting posture, an awkward sleeping position or improper lifting. These are all examples of gradual processes. The atlas can also be jarred out of alignment by an auto accident, bad fall, or a blow to the head.
When the atlas is out-of-alignment (non-orthogonal), the body will compensate in other ways to keep the heavy head centered over your feet. The other spinal vertebrae and the muscles in your neck, torso and lower back will alter their normal position and function in response (just like the marching band reacting to the position of the first member). Now you’ve created a situation where there may be excessive pressure on certain nerves, muscle spasms and tissue inflammation which can cause pain and dysfunction in other areas of the body.
Hopefully you are starting to see why the Atlas Orthogonist focuses so intently on the atlas. A problem with the atlas alignment can manifest in many other distant places and cause a multitude of problems.
So how does the AO chiropractor restore the proper position of the atlas? By carefully evaluating each patient’s precise atlas position and then programming an instrument to deliver a precise percussive wave to reposition the atlas. First, an AO-trained chiropractor will take very detailed x-rays that can map the exact position of your atlas. The tilt and rotation of your atlas are as unique to you as your own fingerprints. Second, an instrument programmed with your exact settings will deliver a painless vibration to the affected area. There is no twisting or cracking. Since the adjustment is custom-programmed for you it can be simultaneously very gentle and very effective. Some patients that have had traditional chiropractic will often walk away from their first AO treatment thinking that nothing has be accomplished because an AO adjustment is barely felt by the patient.
Montel Williams is an excellent example of how a seemingly unrelated problem can be helped DRAMATICALLY! See Montel Williams on youtube
Here’s an example of a recent success in the office:
After having used the new technique…I am totally impressed. I suffered from chronic neck pain and lower back pain. Along with migraines. At times this has been very debilitating and painful. Since starting this new treatment, I have noticed that my pain has decreased considerably in my neck and back. Migraines have diminished in numbers without the biting severe pain that I would experience. Medications are minimal. I finally feel like I am making some progress and will soon feel much better. Something I’ve longed for, for years!! –Patricia Foster (signature on file)
This article is just a brief introduction to the Atlas Orthogonal technique. When you visit our office, you’ll be able to get answers to all your questions. And after an exam, we’ll be able to talk with you in detail about whether you can benefit from atlas adjustment that has helped tens of thousands regain their spinal health.
The atlas is the topmost vertebra and the axis (the vertebra below it) forms the joint connecting the skull and spine. The atlas and axis are specialized to allow a greater range of motion than normal vertebrae. They are responsible for the nodding and rotation movements of the head.
orthogonal chiropractic treatment is a specific chiropractic technique that helps with problems in the neck and head and throughout the entire body. It is a safe and effective way to align the spine and allow optimum communication between the brain and the nervous system.
The Atlas Orthogonal adjustment is a safe, painless spinal correction procedure that restores balance to the body and improves body function through correct atlas vertebra alignment.
Atlas adjustments have full body consequences, while traditional chiropractic mobilizes stuck joints. This single segment focus has less of a full body affect. Atlas adjustments help to restore your brain to body communication.
This takes time; some patients feel that their symptoms are alleviated almost immediately after the adjustment. As your body adapts to the change and begins to heal, you may notice some fatigue or sleepiness, or that your muscles are stiff or sore. These symptoms generally dissipate within 24-48 hours and are normal.
A misaligned atlas can put undue pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that travel through the neck, leading to a variety of symptoms, including: Neck pain. Headaches.
Atlas orthogonal chiropractic treatment is a specific chiropractic technique that helps with problems in the neck and head and throughout the entire body. It is a safe and effective way to align the spine and allow optimum communication between the brain and the nervous system.
Turn your head so that you're looking at your fist. Place your left hand on the right side of your head just above your ear and pull your head to your left shoulder. Adjust your head to stretch the area where the tension has built up. Pull your right shoulder down as far as you can.
The Gonstead technique is believed to be one of the most effective chiropractic techniques. It was named after its founder, Clarence Gonstead. It is a concept of chiropractic care that uses various examination methods to study pain-causing factors.
Atlas Orthogonality is safe and effective for people of all ages. The Atlas adjustment is delivered by an instrument called an Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument (pictured, below left). The tip of the instrument is directed towards the soft area behind your earlobe.
Wearing a neck brace after an atlas adjustment for 3 hours helps to avoid any extreme movement of the neck and allows the muscles to settle and the nerves to heal. Get proper rest. Do NOT sleep on your stomach. Lie on your side or back while sleeping.
If pain and tension at the site of a spinal misalignment trigger the production of a stress hormone called cortisol, you could be in for a vicious cycle of weight gain. Cortisol is released when we're under stress to help activate our fight-or-flight response.
Dizziness is Normal after a Chiropractic Adjustment
Think of dizziness after an adjustment like what happens if you come up too fast after laying down. You may experience a brief bit of dizziness as your inner ear works to readjust itself to your body's new position.
The accuracy of the procedure affords the patient longer lasting effects. Thus, one or two adjustments in many cases are usually all that is needed to get proven results.
Neck Misalignment: Another Possible Cause of Scoliosis
Whenever the atlas bone (or C1 vertebra) and the axis bone (C2 vertebra) are misaligned, the alignment of other vertebrae along the spinal column may suffer.
Here's 3 potential ways an atlas misalignment can create anxiety: It prevents proper blood drainage from the brain. When this happens, it's often linked to depression, anxiety and Parkinson's disease and even Multiple Sclerosis (M.S.). It affects Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) flow.
Chiropractors focusing on the upper cervical region use the term atlas subluxation to denote the shift in neck bones. It's a widespread issue affecting people across different age groups, leading to problems like chronic neck pain, headaches, and restricted neck movements.
Introduction. The Atlas (the first cervical vertebra - C1) differs from the other cervical vertebrae in that it has no body or spinous process. It is comprised of two bony arches with two bony masses laterally. It articulates with the Occiput above and C2 (the Axis) below.
The short answer is yes, there is scientific evidence that supports the use of upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. Studies have shown that upper cervical chiropractic care can be very helpful for certain conditions, such as migraines and tension headaches.
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