Frequently asked questions:

Is my atlas “out of place”?

No, your atlas (the topmost vertebra of the spine) is not literally out of place. This phrase is often used by bone setters or some chiropractors . In reality, bones do not just shift out of alignment without significant trauma, and if they did, it would usually result in serious injury.
When we refer to “atlas treatment,” we are not trying to “put a bone back in place.” Instead, we are focusing on improving how the atlas and surrounding joints function, especially how they move and how they communicate with the nervous system. The goal is to restore healthy motion, reduce protective muscular tension, and improve the body’s awareness (proprioception) of this critical area.

Will an MRI show that my atlas is an issue?

No, an MRI will generally not show if your atlas is functioning abnormally. MRIs are designed to look at structure, not function. They are excellent at identifying things like fractures, degenerative changes, disc issues, and abnormal growths.
However, they do not measure joint movement, muscle tone, or proprioceptive feedback — all of which are essential in understanding how well your atlas is functioning. Functional issues at the atlas often don’t show up on imaging, but they can still significantly affect how you feel and move.

How is the function of the atlas impacted — and why does it matter?

The joint between your skull and the atlas (the occipito-atlantal joint) is one of the most sensitive and important in the entire body. It has a high concentration of nerve endings and is connected through small muscles (such as the rectus capitis posterior minor) directly to the dura mater — the protective covering of your spinal cord. To our knowledge, these are the only muscles in the body with such a direct attachment to the spinal cord.
Additionally, soft tissues from this area also connect into the inside of the skull base, making this junction a critically important hub between the nervous system and the musculoskeletal system.
Functionally, this area plays a major role in proprioception — your brain’s ability to know where your body is in space without needing to look. You might not be thinking about your right kneecap right now, but once it’s mentioned, you’re suddenly aware of it. The same principle applies to the atlas. It sends constant feedback to the brain about head position and movement.
When there’s trauma (like a fall, whiplash, or even poor posture over time), the feedback from the atlas region can become “distorted.” The brain senses something is off and may respond by increasing muscle tension around the joint to protect it, effectively reducing its natural mobility. This disruption doesn’t just affect the neck — it can ripple through the entire body.
Why? Because the body is designed to keep the eyes level. If the head tilts or rotates due to dysfunction in the upper neck, the rest of the body will adapt — often by shifting, bending, or twisting elsewhere — just to keep your gaze horizontal. This can contribute to imbalances and strain throughout the body.

How does the treatment work?

Our approach is gentle, precise, and grounded in neuromuscular science. We use a percussive device that applies specific vibrations and pressure to stimulate the nervous system and enhance proprioceptive feedback — helping the brain better understand and control movement in the atlas area.
By positioning the head in different ways during treatment, and engaging various muscle groups through subtle contractions and relaxations, we help retrain the brain and body to restore more natural, efficient motion in the upper neck.
This is not a spinal manipulation — there are no cracks or clicks. Instead, the treatment is designed to be a subtle but powerful reset for the functional communication between your atlas, nervous system, and the rest of your body.

Can atlas dysfunction affect my nervous system?

Theoretically, yes — and there’s a strong anatomical basis for it. The upper neck, particularly the area around the atlas (C1 vertebra), is densely packed with important neural structures and soft tissue connections that can influence the broader nervous system.
One particularly fascinating connection is how this region may impact the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary functions like your heart rate, breathing, and digestion. This influence is thought to occur in part through the vagus nerve, one of the most important cranial nerves in the body.
The vagus nerve exits the skull via the jugular foramen, a small opening located just in front of the atlas. While the nerve doesn’t directly pass through the atlas, its close anatomical proximity means that dysfunction or tension in the surrounding tissues — such as muscles, fascia, or joint restrictions — could theoretically influence vagal tone or function.
Because the vagus nerve helps regulate vital systems like the cardiovascular, respiratory, and digestive systems, any influence on its function might contribute to symptoms such as changes in heart rate variability, digestive discomfort, or even a feeling of heightened stress or anxiety. While more research is needed to fully understand these relationships, the anatomical and physiological connections are compelling.
In short, treating dysfunction in the atlas region isn’t just about improving neck mobility — it may have broader effects on how your nervous system regulates and balances itself.