Your First Visit

Your first visit is designed to evaluate what you are experiencing and determine whether Atlas Orthogonal care is appropriate for your situation. The appointment allows time to review your health history, perform a structural examination, and obtain any imaging needed to understand alignment and stability in the cervical spine.

The goal is to develop a clear structural picture of what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether correction of the atlas is indicated.

Below is a brief overview of how the visit typically unfolds. Most patients find the process informative and reassuring—even before any correction is performed.

Five Steps

1 Consultation and History
We begin by reviewing your symptoms, health history, and any prior injuries or treatments that may relate to your current condition.
2 Structural Examination
A focused examination of the cervical spine is performed to assess posture, joint function, neurological signs, and areas of tenderness or imbalance.
3 Imaging if Indicated
When appropriate, digital imaging of the cervical spine is obtained to evaluate the alignment and stability of the atlas and surrounding structures.
4 Atlas Orthogonal Correction
If the examination and imaging indicate that correction is appropriate, a precise Atlas Orthogonal adjustment is performed using a calibrated instrument designed to deliver minimal force.
5 Review and Recommendations
Following the evaluation and any correction, findings are reviewed and recommendations are discussed regarding next steps, follow-up care, or monitoring.

Request Structural Evaluation

Step 1 — Consultation and History

The visit begins with a conversation about your current symptoms and health history. We review when the problem began, how it has changed over time, and any injuries or prior treatments that may be relevant.

Understanding the history of the problem is essential. Many patients arrive with either a recent injury or a long-standing condition that has never been fully explained. The consultation helps identify patterns that may point toward structural involvement of the upper cervical spine.

If you have prior imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans, you are welcome to bring them with you. While new imaging is often obtained for precise Atlas Orthogonal analysis, previous studies can provide helpful background information.

Step 2 — Structural Examination

Following the consultation, a focused structural examination of the cervical spine is performed. This includes assessment of posture, joint motion, neurological findings, and areas of tenderness or muscular imbalance.

The goal of the examination is to determine whether the upper cervical spine may be contributing to your symptoms. Structural patterns in the head, neck, shoulders, and pelvis are evaluated to better understand how the spine is functioning as a whole.

These findings help determine whether additional imaging or further evaluation of the atlas is appropriate.

Step 3 — Imaging if Indicated

When structural findings suggest involvement of the upper cervical spine, digital imaging of the cervical spine may be obtained. Atlas Orthogonal imaging views allow precise measurement of the position of the atlas and its relationship to the skull and cervical spine.

In some situations, additional studies such as flexion–extension views may be performed to evaluate motion and stability. When lower spinal involvement is suspected, lumbar flexion–extension imaging may also be obtained.

When injuries are involved, these studies also provide objective documentation of structural findings and spinal stability.

These studies provide the structural measurements necessary to determine whether correction is indicated and how it should be performed.

Step 4 — Atlas Orthogonal Correction

These findings help determine whether additional imaging or further evaluation of the atlas is appropriate.

Step 5 —Review and Recommendation

At the conclusion of the visit, the findings from the consultation, examination, and imaging are reviewed together. This discussion helps clarify what structural factors may be contributing to your symptoms.

Recommendations are then provided regarding next steps. Some patients require short-term stabilization following a recent injury, while others benefit from periodic reassessment to maintain structural alignment over time.

The goal is always structural stability and long-term improvement rather than unnecessary ongoing treatment.

What to Bring to Your Visit

To help make your first visit as productive as possible, please consider bringing the following items if they are available to you.

• Any prior imaging studies (X-rays, MRI, or CT scans) related to your spine or injuries
• A list of current medications or supplements
• Relevant medical records or reports from other providers
• Comfortable clothing that allows easy examination of the neck and spine

If you are unsure whether something is helpful to bring, feel free to contact the office in advance.