About Atlas Orthoganal treatment

The Atlas Orthogonal Procedure represents a breakthrough in chiropractic care—a precision-engineered approach designed to correct one of the most critical misalignments in the human spine. Unlike traditional chiropractic adjustments that rely on manual manipulation and forceful techniques, the Atlas Orthogonal technique employs state-of-the-art instrumentation to provide gentle, accurate corrections to the atlas vertebra with millimeter-level precision.

At Atlas Chiropractic & Wellness Center, Dr. Marta M. Trujillo, D.C., B.C.A.O, brings 25 years of clinical experience in Atlas Orthogonal techniques, combining advanced technology with compassionate care to help patients achieve lasting relief from pain and dysfunction, including effective neck pain relief.

What is the Atlas Vertebra?

The atlas vertebra, also known as C1, is the topmost bone in your cervical spine—the foundation upon which your entire spine rests. This small but extraordinarily important vertebra has a crucial structural role:

- Supports your head, which weighs approximately 10-12 pounds

- Forms the joint that allows your head to rotate and move freely

- Protects the brainstem and the beginning of the spinal cord

- Houses critical nerve pathways that influence your entire nervous system

The functional importance of the atlas is significant; it is the most mobile vertebra in your spine, making it both uniquely functional and vulnerable to misalignment. When the atlas shifts even slightly—sometimes by just a fraction of a millimeter—it can trigger a cascade of problems throughout your body.

Why Atlas Misalignment Matters: Because the atlas sits at the junction between your head and spine, and influences critical nerve pathways, even minor misalignments can lead to significant symptoms:

- Headaches and migraines — Nerve irritation and muscle tension stemming from atlas misalignment

- Neck pain and stiffness — Direct mechanical stress on cervical structures

- Dizziness and vertigo — Disruption of balance and spatial awareness signals

- Shoulder and upper back pain — Compensatory tension from spinal misalignment

- Chronic pain conditions — Nerve interference affecting pain perception across the body

- Reduced mobility — Limited range of motion and flexibility

The remarkable truth is that correcting atlas misalignment through the Atlas Orthogonal technique often brings dramatic relief from these symptoms—sometimes within days or weeks.