The Atlas/Axis Connection

The first seven vertebrae of your spinal column make up what is known as your cervical spine. It begins at the top of your spine and ends where the middle 12 vertebrae of your spine, known as the thoracic spine, begin at your shoulders.

Headaches cost billions each year and the pain and suffering that accompany them is overwhelming. There are alternatives to drugs…

The top two vertebrae of the cervical spine (known as C1 and C2) are unique from all the others because they are designed primarily for rotation. The first vertebra, know as the atlas (C1) is located between the skull the axis (C2). The atlas was named for a mythical god who held the “weight of the world” on his shoulders because the atlas actually supports the weight of the head. The atlas sits right on top of the axis and is linked to it by special ligaments that allow rotation between them.

This is such a vital part of the spine, some chiropractors focus almost entirely on the atlas and axis. Proper alignment of these two vertebrae can affect the way your entire body functions and any type of misalignment can exert pressure on the brainstem, causing your entire body to malfunction. This sets up a compromise that can affect every organ, every system, and eventually every cell in your body, allowing a greater possibility for you to develop disease.

Chiropractic adjustments to the upper cervical spine help correct any misalignments and restore proper alignment of the atlas and axis so they function as they were designed, allowing the rest of your body to function as it should as well.

Dr. Rick Asks some important questions of interest to Vincennes residents - Chiropractor Vincennes Dr. Rick Asks...

What's the difference between sick care and health care?
Sick care is largely about relieving or suppressing symptoms. Health care is about improving performance. While sick care is about how you feel, health care is about how you function. Sick care is what you do to treat an obvious problem, and health care is what you do to avoid the problem and advance your well-being.
Is average normal or is normal average?
Every chiropractor knows that so-called "normal" is merely an average. What's normal for you may not be normal for anyone else. So the chiropractic approach to better health is to tailor our approach to the unique needs of each of our Vincennes patients.