Atlas realignment

The atlas sits in a central position: our head rests on it, the control centre of our body. The rotation of the head is made possible by the axis, the second cervical vertebra. Together, the two vertebrae form the upper cervical joints. Consequently, the area around the upper cervical vertebra is very sensitive. Important supply channels such as the artery involved in cerebral circulation (arteria vertebralis) pass by the atlas, as does the vagus nerve (10th cranial nerve), which affects digestion, breathing and blood pressure, among other things. The region around the atlas is about ten times more sensitive than our fingers and therefore reacts strongly to changes in pressure and posture caused by misalignment.

If a newborn’s sensitive atlas is ‘displaced‘ by birth or later by a severe mechanical stress such as an accident (fall, car crash), a whole range of complaints can develop. They are often referred to as ‘birth trauma’ or ‘whiplash’. These include dizziness, vertigo, loss of balance, headaches, migraines, neck, back, pelvic, lower back and leg pain, as well as digestive problems, numbness in the arms and legs, tinnitus and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

The symptoms are often diffuse and difficult to diagnose. Many people go on an odyssey in search of help. Even after many attempts at therapy, there is often no lasting improvement in sight.

The wide range of symptoms is due to the fact that atlas misalignment affects many muscle groups as well as the autonomic nervous system. The deep neck and cervical muscles try to counteract the misalignment of the atlas. The muscles want to keep the head horizontal despite the fact that the head joints (atlas and axis) are tilted – however, this is not possible. This constant one-sided pulling of the muscles creates a muscular imbalance. Tension develops around the base of the skull, the cervical spine and the shoulders. This so-called hard tension leads to symptoms such as dizziness, tension headaches, migraines or numbness in the arms.

The imbalance is further transmitted along the spine to the pelvis (sacrum) and further to the feet. As a result, the body’s weight is unevenly distributed to the feet, leading to further symptoms in the lower body.

The tenth cranial nerve, the vagus nerve, is also affected. This important nerve controls the internal organs, i.e. digestion, breathing, blood pressure and other important functions. The misalignment of the atlas increases muscle tension and also affects the surrounding tissue. The resulting pressure can adversely affect the vagus nerve and possibly impair its function. This can lead to symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems and high or low blood pressure. Other consequences can include irregular heartbeat and breathing problems.

If you have one or more of the above symptoms, you may be wondering if you have an atlas misalignment. At our ZauggPlus practice near Basel, Switzerland, we perform a palpation assessment. While you are sitting, we determine the position of your atlas using the transverse processes. If your atlas is in the correct position, realignment is not necessary and a different approach to therapy is recommended (e.g. the Dorn method, Manuelle Schmerztherapie MST® (Manual Pain Therapy) or lymphatic drainage).

In the other case, you lie down on the massage table and we relax your muscles for half an hour in preparation for realigning your atlas.

We use two special vibration devices with individually adjustable frequencies to achieve deep relaxation of all muscle fibres and tissue layers along the spine. We first perform the vibration massage from the centre of the spine down to the sacrum, then we move up to the base of the skull. The most intensive treatment is given to the deep muscles of the neck in the area of the upper cervical spine and the base of the skull.

After this preparation, we do the actual realignment of the atlas. While you are sitting, we apply the vibration device to precisely defined points on the region where the head transitions to the neck, gently steering the atlas back into its original position. This steering can be compared to a massage. (It is not a manipulation, such as chiropractors perform, that sets vertebrae.)

We use a holistic approach to rebalance your spine from the base of the skull to the pelvis. This involves firstly the actual realignment of the atlas (repositioning) using a vibrating device, then, if necessary, Dorn Therapy to realign the pelvis and spine, and finally Manuelle Schmerztherapie MST® (Manual Pain Therapy) to treat any associated muscular complaints. All the methods we use are proven, safe and successful. We have repeatedly been encouraged in our approach by the abundant positive feedback we have received. The ZauggPlus practice is your Atlas specialist in the Basel area.

Once the atlas is properly repositioned, a comprehensive regulatory process begins in your body and your self-healing powers are activated. Immediately after treatment, the musculoskeletal system realigns itself: the whole spinal musculature adapts to the new situation from the atlas to the sacrum. At the same time, the autonomic nervous system relaxes and the relieved vertebral artery improves blood supply to the brain. This can lead to a lasting improvement in your health.

In most cases, the atlas remains in the correct position after a single treatment. Only in exceptional cases can it shift again on its own – for example, in the case of extremely lax ligaments or a malformation at the cranial condyles (epicondyles of the back of the head) or at the atlas or axis itself. Problems with the jaw joints or the bite (malocclusion) can also cause the atlas to move out of position over time.

The following explanations of the atlas misalignment are intended for healthcare professionals and therefore contain numerous specialist terms. Non-specialists will find detailed explanations in everyday language in the texts above.

The bones of the skull and the atlas vertebrae move in relation to each other mainly within the framework of reclination and inclination. In the event of a fall, another accident or, under certain circumstances, in the case of an infant at birth, the atlas can become subluxated due to the shearing forces that occur. Symptoms occur that are subsumed under the term ‘whiplash’.

The misalignment of the atlas vertebra in relation to the occiput often leads to muscular imbalances. Muscle groups around the base of the skull, cervical spine and shoulders are particularly affected, which can cause symptoms such as neck tension or tension headaches. Often the muscle tension extends well beyond these areas. This can lead to functional scoliosis or pelvic obliquity.

The muscle tensions can also lead to compression of vessels and nerves, therefore reducing blood flow or supply to the dependent tissues. One of the most commonly affected vessels is the arteria vertebralis, which supplies blood to the inner ear, among other things. If this artery is compressed as a result of an atlas misalignment, tinnitus, dizziness, migraine or trigeminal neuralgia may occur.

The vagus nerve is also often affected. The tenth cranial nerve exits the skull through the jugular foramen, which lies just anterior to the ventral side of the atlas. The misalignment of the atlas increases the tension of the deep neck muscles (M. obliquus capitis superior, M. obliquus capitis inferior, M. rectus capitis posterior minor, M. rectus capitis posterior major, as well as the prevertebral M. rectus capitis anterior and lateral M. rectus capitis lateralis) and thus also the surrounding connective tissue. The greatly increased muscle tone can lead to pressure on the vagus nerve, affecting its regulatory function for the autonomic nervous system. As a result of the atlas misalignment, symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems, irregular heartbeat, breathing problems and high or low blood pressure can develop.

In order to compensate for the above-mentioned effects of atlas misalignment on the musculoskeletal system, nervous system and metabolism, the affected persons’ body has to expend additional energy. This strain can contribute to both physical and mental chronic exhaustion.

Once the atlas has been repositioned, the mentioned symptoms usually recede and the energy balance of the body normalises. The amount of time required for convalescence depends, among other things, on the duration of the atlas misalignment, the physical fitness and the general state of health of the person concerned. Consequently, recovery can last from a few weeks to a year.

To speed up recovery, additional treatments to reduce tension may be useful. These include classical massage, functional massage, Dorn therapy, Manuelle Schmerztherapie MST® (Manual Pain Therapy) as well as physiotherapy. Overall, many people experience a lasting improvement in their health after atlas realignment. This not only improves their quality of life, but also significantly reduces the overall cost of treatment.

Sven Zaugg is your atlas specialist in the Basel area. He has been successfully practising atlas realignment for several years using a recognised and proven method. Due to the positive feedback he receives, he is looking forward to helping even more people in the future.

Training and curriculum vitae of Sven Zaugg, atlas specialist

In some cases, the atlas should not be realigned. Absolute contraindications include:

• In case of severe degeneration or deformation of the cervical spine (uncovertebral arthroses in the cervical spine, caking or bracing between two vertebral bodies).
• Chiari malformation (developmental disorder with displacement of parts of the cerebellum through the foramen magnum into the spinal canal)
• Severe arteriosclerosis
• Cancer with bone metastases
• Hydrocephalus
• Recent stroke (less than nine months ago)
• Severe, acute infectious diseases (weakened immune system)
• Consumptive diseases (e.g. tuberculosis)
• Retinal detachments

In other cases, an individual case assessment and a coordinated approach is necessary. These relative contraindications include:

• Pregnancy
• Very lax, torn or ruptured ligaments (in cases of hypermobility, realigning the atlas is often not permanent, as it may shift again depending on the circumstances; this may be the case, for example, if the ligaments are torn as a result of an accident).
• Severe deformation or malformation of the atlas (e.g. open atlas arch, missing or open transverse processes).
• Implants and prostheses (ear prosthesis, stapes prosthesis, pacemaker, defibrillator, vagus nerve stimulator)
• Taking anticoagulants (anticoagulants such as Marcumar, Phenprocoumon, Warfarin, Falithron, Phenprogamma or Coumadin are prescribed e.g. for long-term treatment of thrombosis or heart rhythm problems).
• Severe osteoporosis (the atlas itself is rarely affected by osteoporosis, but during treatment we make sure to generally work with less pressure).
• Recent whiplash (less than two months)
• Poor general health
• Severe depression (if the causes are psychological; if, on the other hand, the cause is psychological stress, treatment is possible)

If there are relative contraindications, we can work with your doctor to find an individual solution.

In some cases, it is very difficult to treat the atlas. This is especially true if someone has extremely tense neck muscles. In this case, before realigning the atlas, it is necessary to loosen the muscles in one or two sessions using vibrating devices and other methods such as functional massage or Manuelle Schmerztherapie MST® (Manual Pain Therapy). This deep relaxation of the muscles alone can significantly reduce your symptoms. Once your neck muscles are relaxed enough and we can palpate the atlas accurately, we can realign the atlas.