The Power of
Upper Cervical
DR NEIL BOSSENGER
About Spinewave
Specialising in:
• Functional Neurology.
• Upper Cervical Specific.
• Mindfulness Based
Stress Reduction.
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/ANS
MLF/eyes
Spinal muscles
Vestibular
Cerebellum
Neck
Effects of C1/2 Misalignment
What’s the Big Deal?
Structure vs Function
Will’s Story







Over 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
Small Changes. Big Problems.
↓ frequency of nerve firing to the brain.
2. ↓ oxygenated blood flow to the brain.
3. ↓ or ↑ muscle activity on one side.
1.
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 TMJ
Temporalis 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 Nucleus
The 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 Jaws
Aberrant reflexes
create pathological TNR
causing dysfunctional
head posture.
 Changes in head
posture affect
mandibular position.
 Mandible therefore
affects occlusion.

TNR & Orofacial Symptoms








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 following TBI
Upper Cervical Corrections
Who Should You See?
Dental
Problem
Head &
Orofacial
Problem
Upper
Cervical
Problem
Chicken or Egg?








Bruxism
TMJ disorders
Trigeminal neuralgia
Clicking or deviation
Visual disturbance
Headaches
Vertigo
Orofacial pain
www.spinewave.co.nz
neil@spinewave.co.nz
09 522 0025
DR NEIL BOSSENGER