The Upper Cervical Spine The Upper Cervical Spine consists of two bones, the Atlas (C1) and the Axis (C2), at the top of the neck.  Much of your nervous system passes through this vital area. This area is also the most movable area of your spine. Because of this, subluxations in this crucial area are very common. Since this area is in such close proximity to the brain, subluxations here can result in an alteration to a large variety of body functions. Much of the body's nervous system messages flow past this point. This means that very large areas of the body are supplied by the nerves that pass through or near here. Some of the areas of nerve supply that can be affected by subluxations in the upper cervical spine include your brain, head, and face. Nervous system interference here could result in headaches, facial palsy, sinus trouble, allergies, fatigue, cross-eyes, or dizziness.  In addition, if a pair of large and important nerves, the "Vagus" nerves, are affected by a subluxation in the upper cervical spine, the parasympathetic nervous system function can be altered. These nerves are responsible for visceral motor function (control) of many of your chest organs as well as such functions as swallowing and those of your vocal cords. Other areas that could experience functional changes that are controlled by the Vagus nerve include such major organs as the heart, lungs, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, and small intestines.  As you can see, a subluxation affecting the Vagus nerve can have a very wide and profound impact on the function and health of a large portion of your body.  The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae.  Click here to see the third cervical (C3) through the seventh cervical (C7) vertebrae.  When the nerves that pass through this area are involved with subluxation, areas such as the neck muscles and the shoulder, as well as the arms and hands, are affected.  In these situations, problems such as neck pain, arm pain, numbness, stiff neck, bursitis, as well as many other musculoskeletal problems are possible. In addition to these areas, nerves originating in this area of the spine innervate the throat, sinuses, nose, thyroid gland, lymph nodes, diaphragm, and other organs and systems.  When subluxation is involved in these areas, a variety of functional problems can result. It is imperative for the organs, systems, muscles, joints and all other tissues in these areas to receive proper nerve signals in order for them to function as they were intended.  Subluxation reduces this function, thus allowing the areas supplied by the nerves to be working at less than optimal ability.  As with any portion of the spine, subluxations in this area can also have an effect on other segments of the spine, creating imbalances, postural problems, and functional problems elsewhere. [ Return to Top ]