How Can I Tell If I Have A Vertebral Subluxation?

There is no intervertebral disc between C1 and C2, which is unique in the spine.

259 With our exercises’ help, you can usually make an atlas correction yourself by loosening and stretching the muscles and fasciae in this area. An atlas blockage can also be located between the atlas vertebra and the underlying axis.

1. neck pain, tenderness, soreness and stiffness.
2. back pain, tenderness, soreness and stiffness.
3. headaches.
4. dizziness or balance problems.
5. spinal muscle spasm, tightness or weakness.
6. reduced spinal mobility.
7. pain, numbness or tingling in the extremities.
8. joint pain and stiffness.

With the multitude of ways we can turn our head, it is not surprising that the Atlas can slip out of proper alignment. A wide variety of Trauma, from falls to auto accidents, can cause such misalignments to occur as well as poor posture and even sleeping the wrong way.

If the C1 or C2 vertebra is out of place, they can be placing undue pressure on the brainstem, causing it to send improper signals to the brain. The brain may think the body is in motion when it is not actually moving, leading to the symptoms of vertigo.

C1, C2, and C3 (the first three cervical nerves) help control the head and neck, including movements forward, backward, and to the sides. The C2 dermatome handles sensation for the upper part of the head, and the C3 dermatome covers the side of the face and back of the head. (C1 does not have a dermatome.)

Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from C1-C2

1. Radiating pain up to the back and/or top of the head.
2. Pain in the temple and/or behind the eyes and/or ears.
3. Neck-tongue syndrome resulting in neck and/or head pain with numbness or abnormal sensation on one side of the tongue.
4. Sensitivity to light.
5. Fatigue.
6. Dizziness.
7. Nausea.

C1 and C2 Vertebrae Breaks, Fractures, and Misalignments Due to the high level and placing of these vertebrae at the top of the neck, having a C2 or C1 vertebrae out of place or suffering sustained damage is most often fatal (or leaves the individual fully paralyzed).

A misalignment at C0-C1-C2 can also come from sitting at a desk with poor posture, birth trauma, or falling out of a tree when you are a child. However, the most common way we see large trauma produced is from a concussion from either sports or work related injuries, or a car accident.

Poor neck posture, neck disorders, or trauma to the cervical spine cause this condition. Cervical vertigo often results from a head injury that disrupts head and neck alignment, or whiplash. This dizziness most often occurs after moving your neck, and can also affect your sense of balance and concentration.

Cervicocranial syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that are believed to be caused by instability and misalignment in the cervical vertebrae (neck bones). The condition is also sometimes called Barré-Lieou syndrome or posterior cervical sympathetic syndrome. Cervicocranial syndrome can include a wide range of symptoms.

Chronic pain and stiffness in the neck that may be worse with upright activity. The sound or feeling of popping in the neck when moving. Involuntary contractions of the muscles (spasms) that cause pain or a loss of movement or headaches that start from the neck. Numbness and weakness in the arms, hands and fingers.

Osteoarthritis in the neck pain tends to worsen after activity. Complications such as loss of coordination can happen if the spinal cord becomes pinched.

Neck Osteoarthritis Symptoms

• Neck pain that worsens with activity performed when a person is upright.
• Neck pain that radiates to the arm or shoulder.
• Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs, or feet.
• Weakness in the legs, trouble walking, loss of balance.
• Loss of bladder or bowel control.

Like the rest of the body, the disks and joints in the neck (cervical spine) slowly degenerate as we age. Cervical spondylosis, commonly called arthritis of the neck, is the medical term for these age-related, wear-and-tear changes that occur over time. Cervical spondylosis is extremely common.

Among those who do experience neck pain, the discomfort is usually short-lived, improving on its own within six to 12 weeks. Sometimes, cervical arthritis narrows the space where nerve roots exit the spine, pinching the nerve.

For osteoarthritis, massage can help decrease swelling and pain, improve joint mobility and provide tension and stress relief.

Avoid using too high or stiff a pillow, which keeps the neck flexed overnight and can result in morning pain and stiffness. If you sleep on your side, keep your spine straight by using a pillow that is higher under your neck than your head.

For minor, common causes of neck pain, try these simple remedies:

1. Apply heat or ice to the painful area.
2. Take over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
3. Keep moving, but avoid jerking or painful activities.
4. Do slow range-of-motion exercises, up and down, side to side, and from ear to ear.

Seeing a qualified health professional, such as a chiropractor, who is experienced in diagnosing conditions of the neck and spine, can help treat neck pain, and also identify if a referral or specialist investigation is needed.

Calcium and vitamin D. Since neck pain can be caused by wear and tear of the vertebrae in your neck, it makes sense to keep your bones as healthy as possible, so calcium should be an important part of your nutrition plan. You will also need vitamin D to absorb the calcium you take in.