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Atlanto Axial Joint Anatomy provides information on a joint that is hugely important in the treatment of headaches, dizziness and severe neck pain.
The Atlas (C1) is the first bone in the neck. It is quite unlike any other bone in the body - it is simply a ring, with facets above and below which articulate with it's nearest neighbours - the Occiput above, and the Axis (C2) below.
The Axis (C2) too is quite unique. It is not unlike the other neck vertebrae, except that it has peg (called the Dens) jutting straight upwards.
The Atlas rotates on this Dens, giving the neck about 50% of its rotation.
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The Spinal Cord
The spinal cord, perhaps the most sensitive tissue in the body, passes down through the Atlas and Axis, carrying vital information to and from the body. Because of this intimate relationship in the Atlanto-Axial Joint anatomy, subluxations of the Atlas have a profoundly negative effect on the body.
Read more about the effect whiplash research may have on your choice of treatment for your neck pain.
WHIPLASH RESEARCH ...
Facet Joints and the CERVICAL FACET SYNDROME
There is no disc between the Atlas and the Axis. Thus the facet joints, and numerous ligaments of course, provide the only stability between the two bones causing a facet syndrome. Early chiropractors, known for a reason that escapes me as 'hole in one', adjusted only the atlas. If you consulted him/her with low back pain, only your atlas would be adjusted. Newer findings confirm that there is an intimate relationship between the Atlas and L5, the most common cause of low back pain.
CERVICAL FACET SYNDROME ...
The Greater Occipital nerve
This nerve emerges between the Atlas and the Axis, and supplies the base of the skull, the so-called Occipital region. Irritation of the Greater Occipital nerve is probably the most frequent cause of headaches located at the top of the neck, especially the C1-C2 or Atlanto Axial joint anatomy. It's an area that chiropractors specialise in.
SAFETY: STROKE CHIROPRACTIC
Just how safe is manipulation of the upper neck? Are there dangers? Could you have a stroke?
There simple answer is yes, there are dangers. Having said that, the chances of you having a stroke chiropractic episode are so slight that you can to all intents ignore it. Depending on which research you read, about 1 / 6 000 000 manipulations will cause a serious injury.
Ever seen the Kidney Olympics? You'll quickly realise the dangers of swallowing bucket loads of pills for your headaches is far, far, far more dangerous.
In thirty years of Chiropractic, not one patient has (touch wood!) had a stroke. That's somewhere approaching half a million manipulations of the neck. One elderly lady had a TIA a week after treatment... almost certainly unrelated... and in any event recovered completely, and still consults me once a month.
Another option, far better than pills is to consider the benefits of massage therapy. An occasional, but regular massage will do wonders for your neck pain.
BENEFITS OF MASSAGE THERAPY ...
The jaw joint, called the Temporo Mandibular Joint, or TMJ, is supplied by the largest cranial nerve, the Trigeminal nerve. The sensory nucleus of this nerve, the Fifth Cranial nerve, is located in the upper neck. For this reason there is a strong association between jaw joint problems, upper neck pain and severe facial pain and migraine headaches.
TMJ anatomy ...
Have A Great Story About a visit to the Chiropractor?
I'm not looking here for funny stories. That we'll find a place for elsewhere, and you can find an abundance of them in my books at Bernard-Preston.com. James Herriott genre books.
Here I'm looking for things that you particularly love / hate about a visit to the chiropractor. Share it! If we get too many, and we probably will, we'll split them.
Are there things you hate about a Chiropractic consultation? Let's hear about it. Hopefully even more stories about things you love.
You see, we Chiropractors can learn from your feedback, both positive and negative.
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What Other Visitors Have Said
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The Anatomy is great! I'm into it. Very inspiring. I will do the exercises faithfully."