Atlas C-1 Twisted Causing PCS Symptoms
 

I have been PCS for alomost a year now has anyone ever heard of or have
any information concerning the Atlas Vertebra (C1) being out of place causing PCS related Symptoms

Thanks

Is it severely twisted or more of a misalignment?

Some threads on c1/c2 - atlas/axis adjusting - Nucca
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread164885.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread164957.html
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/post735715-15.html

C1 is right around where the brain stem is...and if it's out of place it can be causing some mild compression to your brain stem which can cause a lot of problems. Since your recovering from a head injury and it's mainly your upper cervical area your concerned with, you want to see a NUCCA specialist.

http://www.nucca.com

You can find a NUCCA chiropractor in that above link.

If you want more information about the procedure you can click that first link that Jo*mar listed...it is my thread about the success I've so far had with NUCCA.

Any misalignment of C-1 (Atlas) can cause inflammation that can interfere with nerve function, blood flow to the brain and blood flow to the brain stem. The idea of C-1 compressing the brain stem is an over-simplification. The compression is from the inflammation, not the position of C-1.

There may also be pinching of nerve fibers but there are are not nerve fibers in or very near the joint areas (occipital condyle to Atlas) like there are near the highly moveable joints of the lower vertebra.

That is why icing the area is so valuable. Anything to reduce the inflammation is beneficial.

The blood flow being restricted is likely the cause of the PCS symptoms since they manifest from areas that are not necessarily near the C-1 structures.

An important posture issue to be aware of is moving the head laterally (rotating side to side) at the same time as moving the head up and down. In other words, don't combine Yes movements with No movements. These combined movements are most likely to cause impingement in the joint increasing inflammation.

Has anyone with these type of upper cervical issues felt like their necks make a grindy kind of noise when they make movements to their head, yes, no kind of movements?

Several weeks after my surgery in Dec of 2009, I recall walking and slipping off a curb with my heel landing on the street, but unfortunately in a locked leg position so I think the jolt and force of the step may have compressed some parts leading up to my brain. At least this is the closest event I remember just immediately prior to the return of my current PCS symptoms.

I've had a couple of adjustments by chiros, one of which is my current neurologist, who does a gentler adjustment. I just still don't have an immediate 'ahhhhh' feeling afterwards and wonder if more targeted adjustments are more applicable.

They've taken an upper cervical MRI which shows 'degenerative age related wear'. Yeah sure, but grindy noises? So soon after this event?

I'm debating seeing an atlas orthogonal specialist which may be closest in specialty to NUUCA adjusters and trying to evaluate the situation.

Mike

My atlas was out of place for years, symptoms were anxiety, depression, hopelessness, neck stiffness, grinding when turning away from problem side, muscle imbalances all over the body, jaw pain (on the opposite side), TMJ, jaw clicking, lower back pain, pain mid spine on the left, trapped nerves in left trap and back, thick upper traps (from forward head posture i think) anyway, all of my symptoms disappeared after lots of research I finally cracked it (not literally).

Also I wouldnt go to a chiropractor because I've seen some of their 'corrections', all that sudden twisting can't be doing those delicate nerves in your neck any good! I guess that's why the nucca approach is the best because it's gentle.

Here's what I did to re align my c1 atlas

First, I'm not sure how misaligned you are but I'm going to assume you have muscle imbalance in the neck but either way I think the first step I'm about to right is important. If the muscles are tight on one side your head / c1 simply cant go where it's supposed to.

1. Do these stretches to loosen the neck, pay attention to imbalances ie if you can go further on one side than the other. In this case stretch twice as much and don't count, only release the stretch when the muscle has relaxed. You CAN make tighter muscles even tighter by stretching improperly.

*edit*

2. Next the hips. I'm also going to assume you have tight / limited hip movement so here's what to do.

Go for a walk, whilst walking focus on tightening you abs and your but (glutes) whilst tilting your pelvis backwards so you effectively straightening your lower back, so you're pulling the front up an pushing the back down. Hold it for as long as possible, you should feel your lower back free up almost straight away.

Necks loose and hips are loose, so that's the muscles in the top and bottom of your spine sorted, now to align the C1.

3. Perform these two simple exercises in this video. This (as he says) always works in positioning the atlas / *edit*

(Like he says repeat it every hour)

Tip: in ex.2 if you're tense try to relax and when you bring your arms to your shoulders breathe in.

Hope it helps!

I believe that most of my long lasting issues after the initial concussion were due to neck problems.
After I started seeing an atlas orthogonal chiro about a year into my recovery, I finally started seeing good progress.
Nothing instantaneous like they claim in some of the AO videos, but definitely felt better over the course of weeks and then months. I've been seeing him for about 5 months now and a lot of my issues have either resolved or at least got way way better.
Exercise is finally an option, I'm doing 20 minutes on a stationary bike at a moderate pace and then a 2 mile walk after work.

Does any problem with C1 and C2 show on an MRI? I suppose not. Then too, i guess no harm in getting an MRI done. Any thoughts ?

Galaxy, there are other ways to diagnose C-1 and C-2. Many do not believe this can be a problem. They also do not believe chiropractors can help. You need to find a specialist that understands this issue. I advise against asking a doctor for an MRI of C-1 and C-2. Many will look at you as nutty and put a negative comment in your medical record. Find a specialist first.

I had a little bit of treatment but did most of my healing by being disciplined with good head/neck posture, especially when I rest or sleep. As I have said, it took a few years to get full healing. My neck is stable now.

Nobody is going to fix this for you. You will need to do most of the work.

My best to you.

How would one know if they have this issue? I have had xrays done of my cervical spine. Would this have shown up? Would the xray technician even diagnose this?

General x rays will only show if there is a major issue... Few MD's or x ray techs are trained in atlas/axis measurements/ corrections.

Upper cervical chiros have special measuring tools/ machines, and some chiros will also use use various leg length checks.
Mine used the leg length checks, he did many checks before & after adjusting each time.

But I don't think upper cervical alone fixes all other misalignments, as the websites often suggest..
I think upper cervical is great , but i know I needed more than that alone..

I've had a very good experience with an Atlas Orthogonal chiro last year.
He did his own Xrays and did a bunch of other measurements. My leg lengths were almost two inches apart and no wonder I had a lot of issues. After seeing him for about 5-6 months I no longer had major back and neck pain. It really helped with neck-related headaches.
Didn't solve all my issues like they promise you, but it definitely helped with some problems I had.
I plan on going back soon for a checkup.

Does the typical mental exhaustion speak for a vertebra issue? I do not have normal headaches. They just start slightly and get more severe when I do too much.

Exhaustion head aches are usually caused by pushing the brain beyond its current capability. They can also be due to low blood sugar or dehydration.

So it's rather not a sign of twisted vertebras..

I have a lot of the same issues...been chasing my tail unsuccessfully for years! What were the exact stretches and exercises that you were talking about? I see everything except for what you actually did.
Thanks!

C1 instability
 

yup most concussion symptoms are due to C1/C2 instability.. sometimes its due to the damage of your capsular ligament.it then pinches on your vertebral artery causing you a host of symptoms. C1/C2 don't have any discs ..
im having the same issues myself and so far not much has helped. ive improved in the last few months.. ive yet to try NUCCA chiropractic but ive heard positive things

C-0, C-1, & C-2 instability can contribute to concussion symptoms and in some cases mimics concussion symptoms but many concussion symptoms are entirely neurological. Treat C-0, C-1, & C-2 and headaches, some blood flow and maybe some vestibular issues may be relieved but most cognitive issues are due to stress to brain tissue. Upper cervical issues are not a quick fix. It often takes months of treatment and postural discipline. For some, upper cervical osteoarthritis becomes a life-long struggle.