The UPPER CERVICALS

The Cervicocranial junction is a complex region where the skull and the two first vertebrae (Atlas & Axis) connect.

Nearly every pathway that the brain & body use to communicate passes through the narrow foramen of the Atlas.

Due to the complexity of this junction and the important structures surrounding it, any misalignment in the upper spine can have a detrimental effect on overall health.

Chiropractors are trained to locate and correct these misalignments.

BRAIN STEM

Misalignment in the upper spine can cause pressure on the lower brain stem.
The brain stem controls: posture & body balance, blood pressure, respiration and heart rate.

VAGUS NERVE (CN X)

Cranial Nerve X passes just in front of the Atlas. A misaligned Atlas can affect the way the CN X helps regulate many critical aspects of human physiology, including: heart rate, blood pressure, sweating, digestion, and speech.

BLOOD SUPPLY TO THE BRAIN

The vertebral artery runs through the Atlas supplying the brain with blood. This is vital for normal brain function, and may be compromised with Atlas misalignment.

SUBOCCIPITAL MUSCLES

When the Atlas is misaligned, these muscles are stretched unevenly causing a postural imbalance as it distorts the normal communication between the brain & the body. Long term postural imbalance causes premature aging and degeneration of the spine.

SPINAL NERVES

Misalignment at any level of the spine can put stress on the spinal cord and/or the nerves that exit between each vertebra. As a result, any body part that is connected to the brain through these nerves will not function properly.