Atlas Orthogonal Care Treats Neck Injuries

Spinal injuries are among the most painful and disabling traumas a person can experience. The central nervous system, housed within the spinal column, provides a vital link between the brain and the rest of the body. Disruptions to natural position of the spinal column, including the neck, can cause a wide array of problems that if left untreated can worsen and affect other parts of the body.

Atlas Orthogonal Care: Advanced Chiropractic Treatment

Years of clinical research in the chiropractic field have shown that many problems associated with misalignments in the spine can be addressed by treating the atlas vertebrate. The atlas vertebrate is the cervical bone on the top of the spinal column that supports the weight of the head. This tiny bone is the link between the skull and the rest of the spinal column and, therefore, can determine the alignment of the rest of the spine.

Dr. David Nygaard, founder of Atlas Family Chiropractic, in Asheville, NC explains why the atlas vertebrate is so important to spinal health. He says that, "The human body naturally balances the head over the center of the feet. A misaligned atlas will cause the head to tilt. This causes a chain reaction. The spine will shift to support the weight of the head. This causes stresses and strains to the rest of the body."

Orthogonal means a 90-degree relationship, meaning the center of the head is over the center of the neck - with the atlas being perpendicular to a neutral or proper alignment of the atlas bone. Misalignments in the spine cause inflammation, can pinch nerves and lead to pain, numbness and other nervous system disruptions. When the atlas is properly aligned, the rest of the spine will follow suit, allowing the body to heal itself.

Atlas Care Heals Whiplash and other Neck Injuries
Some neck injuries occur due to what is referred to as "repetitive micro-traumas." These small traumas, like poor posture or bad sleeping habits, can cause the atlas and other vertebrate to become misaligned. More often, neck injuries are caused by traumas such as car accidents, sports injuries, head trauma and falls.

A 2006 report in the Journal of Whiplash and Related Disorders reports that "in a motor vehicle accident, extreme kinetic energies 11-15 times greater than the force of gravity can cause the individual vertebrate to shift."

Dr. Nygaard gives an example of what these kinetic forces can do to your spine: "Think of your spine as a spring. It's used to support the weight of your body. It can stretch, compress and even rotate to a degree. When trauma, like whiplash occurs, the spring can become kinked, overextended or twisted."

The same report focuses on the use of SCALE (Stereotactic Cervical Alignment) methods to treat neck and spine injuries. And, when these methods are incorporated as part of Atlas Orthogonal Care, they prove highly effective in relieving pain, returning a full range of motion and allowing the spine to return to a healthy posture.

Atlas Care: Accurate Analysis with Gentle, Effective Correction

After an extensive evaluation of the patient, extremely precise 3D X-rays are taken of the head and neck. These X-rays allow the Orthogonist to develop a treatment protocol for accurate, individualized adjustments. X-rays are used after every initial treatment to ensure that the best possible adjustment has been made. The post-adjustment X-rays also show the patient in a before and after model to illustrate how the adjustments help to return the atlas to its natural position.

Originally chiropractors were taught to adjust the atlas using their hands, and large amounts of force. Dr. Roy Sweat, founder of the Atlas Orthogonal procedure, who is considered to be one of the foremost authorities on the cervical spine, developed a method of adjustment using vibration known as a "percussion wave." Dr. Sweat invented and engineered a highly advanced instrument that delivers precise adjustments with a force of three to six pounds.

Dr. Nygaard reassures that, "Without pain or pressure, adjustments are able to accurately reposition the atlas in a manner that is non-invasive and gentle, allowing the spinal column to return to its' optimally functional state."

For more information, visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net

Bryan Sullivan is the Executive Vice President of Write Away, Inc. - a public relations and marketing firm based in Weaverville, NC. He also often writes for regional& national publications about local history, farming, culture and food. He graduated with a degree in communications from Alfred University in New York State and then went on to attend culinary school in NYC where he graduated in the top percent of his class. He proceeded to work in high-end restaurants in New York City, Martha's Vineyard, MA and Naples, FL. Bryan currently lives in Asheville, NC with Liisa and their Black Lab, Annie.
For more information, visit:
http://www.atlasfamilychiropractic.net