The Power of Upper Cervical

D R N E I L B O S S E N G E R

Specialising in:

• Functional Neurology.• Upper Cervical Specific.• Mindfulness Based

Stress Reduction.

About Spinewave

Masters in ANS & Pain.

The Mouth of God

The Power of Upper Cervical

Front & Back

Upper Cervical Specific

Upper Cervical Specific

The unique anatomy of atlas and axis.The relationship of skull to atlas.The relationship of atlas to axis.The neurology of brain (and cerebellum).The neurology of brainstem.The neurological associations between.And basically how the whole body works!

Atlas & Axis

Most complex alignment system.

No locking joints.Richest array of

neurological input.Gateway between

brain and body.

Coupled Motions

Upper cervical motion is never isolated.In extension, occiput glides forward and

posterior elements close toward each other.

C2 Dorsal Rami

Upper Cervical for Elephants

Suboccipital Musculature

Position sensors (proprioception).

Maintains head alignment.

Ties into spinal graviceptive pathways.

Maintains posture.

Brainstem: Your Fuse Box

PMRF/ANSMLF/eyesSpinal musclesVestibularCerebellumNeck

Effects of C1/2 Misalignment

What’s the Big Deal?

Structure vs Function

Will’s StoryOver 8 years lost ability to work.Chronic daily headaches.Wore sunglasses indoors.Chronic fatigue.Loss of strength on RHS.Slow mental processing.After 25 medical practitioners,

diagnosed as “psychosomatic”.

Effects on Nervous System

1. ↓ frequency of nerve firing to the brain.

2. ↓ oxygenated blood flow to the brain.3. ↓ or ↑ muscle activity on one side.

Small Changes. Big Problems.

Effects on Sympathetic Tone

• Vascular irritation can cause ↑ activation of the neck & jaw muscles on one side.

• This is part of the “Tonic Neck Reflex”.

Tonic Neck Reflex

The Tonic Neck Reflex helps to maintain postural stability by adjusting extensor muscle tone as head and neck posture changes.

Brainstem Autocorrect

• Eyes try to maintain horizon & posture.

• TNR leads to increase stress response.

• Stress response changes the jaw.

Disturbed TNR and the TMJTemporalis muscle:

may pull condyle posterior.

Lateral pterygoid muscle: may pull disc anterior.

Masseter muscles trigger points. TMD!

Trigeminal Nucleus

Teeth/jaw can alter the upper neck.

Input from the face, teeth and TMJ feeds into CN5, processing pain and sensation.

TMJ joint capsule highly innervated.

Trigeminal NucleusThe neck can

change sensation over the head, face, teeth and TMJ.

CN5 neurons extend down into the cervical spine.

C1-3 neurons feed trigeminal activity.

Necks Can Change JawsAberrant reflexes

create pathological TNR causing dysfunctional head posture.

Changes in head posture affect mandibular position.

Mandible therefore affects occlusion.

PTSD (anxiety and depression).Change in facial sensation.Change in sensation over teeth.Left arm pain and reduced ROM.Left hemisphericity.Anisocoria (sluggish left pupil).Temperature dysregulation.Skin changes over left leg.

TNR & Orofacial Symptoms

TNR following TBI

Upper Cervical Corrections

Who Should You See?

Dental Problem

Upper Cervical Problem

Head & Orofacial Problem

Chicken or Egg?

BruxismTMJ disordersTrigeminal neuralgiaClicking or deviationVisual disturbanceHeadachesVertigoOrofacial pain

www.spinewave.co.nzneil@spinewave.co.nz

09 522 0025

D R N E I L B O S S E N G E R