What is the Osteopathic Atlas treatment?
The atlas treatment involves the use of two systems. Firstly, a biomechanical scan of the body is performed. This scan allows us to create a 3D image of the spine, from the mid neck down to the pelvis along with positional data. The treatment part of the therapy involves a device that creates a pulse and vibration working through the muscles at the top of the neck. As it works through the soft tissues it is safe for all ages and there are no spinal manipulations involved. The atlas treatment is not invasive. Once the treatment is over the biomechanical scan is performed again. This is used to compare the differences and to show the patient the changes that have occurred after treatment. The treatment we provide on the atlas is a corrective fix, not a quick fix.
What are the symptoms of an Atlas/neck problem?
An issue with the function of the atlas can have many different symptoms. Some of the symptoms associated with it may be causing pain in the low back for example. Basically our bodies are designed to keep our eyes level. If the atlas is moving incorrectly or poorly within its joints articular surface it causes a side-bending and rotation of the head. In turn, the body compensates by side-bending in the opposite direction, to keep the eyes level. It is this compensation that creates strain and pain patterns, whether they be headaches, neck, back, pelvis or hip pain etc. Most people are unaware that they have an atlas issue, but may be aware that one shoulder appears lower than the other. They may have been told they have one leg shorter than the other or have dropped arches. All these findings can indicate an atlas issue. On an x-ray or MRI some consultants may look at the position of the atlas. However most of the time these scans look at structure rather than function. We diagnose an atlas misalignment via clinical findings.
What causes the Atlas issue?
The atlas may become an issue in some people following their birth, especially if it was quite difficult or if aids had to be used. Otherwise road traffic accidents (whiplash), traumas to the head neck or shoulders, bad falls or from some reports by patients they felt undergoing forceful dental work can cause the misalignment. Symptoms may develop immediately, such as headaches, neck, back, pelvic pain or may develop over a period of time following the onset.
Where can I get the atlas treatment?
We are the only clinic providing this type of treatment in Ireland and the only center in Europe offering the biomechanical assessment as part of the therapy. There are other modalities on the market such as Atlas Orthogonal and Atlas Profilax. Our view is that Orthogonal only applies a single impulse which can not alter function (see FAQ section below), and that Profilax uses a rudimentary and inaccurate means of examination. We view our process as being better at both treatment and examination.
To book an appointment please phone 061 278122.
Please note: Our therapists are currently very busy and are generally unable to speak with patients over the phone. We kindly ask that you read through the frequently asked questions below before reaching out.
If you have any further queries about the atlas work, please feel free to email us and we will respond to you as soon as possible at [email protected]
Thank you for your understanding.
Frequently asked questions:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.