Can Atlas Subluxation Be Fixed?

by | Jan 26, 2023

Misalignment

The technique that we use here at Atlas Chiropractic is Orthospinology. The Orthospinology chiropractic technique is a specialty within chiropractic that focuses on the upper cervical region. 

 

What Causes The Atlas To Come Out Of Alignment?

The neck and head are vulnerable and prone to injury from even jolts, accidents, or poor posture. It is easy for the vertebra in the upper cervical spine to become misaligned, and this can have a domino effect that causes a wide variety of issues that impact your health and well-being. Misalignments in the atlas bone can cause chronic pain, stress, and tension in the head and neck. 

What Are The Symptoms Of A Misaligned Atlas? 

If this area is out of alignment, it creates all kinds of issues all the way up and down your spine from a tight neck, headache, shoulder pain, low back issues, and even a short leg.

A misaligned atlas may also cause:

  • Hearing problems, tinnitus, hearing loss, inner ear conditions
  • Restricted movement, including limited movements of the head
  • Dizziness, including vertigo
  • Balance problems
  • Difficulties with coordination and concentration
  • Muscle spasms
  • Pelvic and hip misalignment
  • Migraines
  • Difficulty sleeping, insomnia
  • Grating or crackling sounds in the neck or at the base of the skull when turning the head or neck

Can A Chiropractor Fix An Atlas?

The atlas vertebrae can cause misalignment throughout the spine if not aligned correctly. Adjusting the atlas can bring the entire head, neck, spine, and hips back into alignment. 

Here’s an Atlas Subluxation from an actual patient that came in here to Atlas Chiropractic. This patient had a major head tilt to the side, a high and a low shoulder, a high and a low hip, and an extremely short leg. This patient was feeling lots of tension in the lower back, shooting down the leg, and even tension on the side that wasn’t pulling short. For this patient when we adjusted, we got alignment of the head, alignment of shoulders, alignment of hips, and alignment of legs, and all of that tension in her lower back and leg dissipated for her.

To watch the results from this patient, click here.

 

To learn what to expect with an atlas adjustment, click here.

To watch all the different instruments we use to adjust at Atlas Chiropractic, click here.

Reviewed by Dr. Christy Flick, DC · Last reviewed June 2026

This article is for educational purposes and shares general information about upper cervical chiropractic care. It isn’t a substitute for an individual clinical assessment, and results vary from person to person. If you’re wondering whether this could be the source of what you’re dealing with, we’d welcome the chance to take a look — schedule a complimentary consultation at atlaschiropracticwaco.com or call 254-304-7474.

About the Author

Author photo
Dr. Christy Flick
Atlas Chiropractic
Atlas Chiropractic was founded in 2024 after Dr. Christy Flick moved to Waco to be closer to family. She previously practiced since 2005 in the Dallas area helping thousands of people regain their health through Orthospinology Upper Cervical Chiropractic care.
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