Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic Technique Explained
The Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic technique, often abbreviated
AO, is a specialty within the field of chiropractic that focuses of 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 Orthogonalist
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 patients’ 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.
This article is just a brief introduction to the Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic 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 the same way that
tens of thousands of your peers have.
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