Scientific Imaging Studies

Scientific Imaging Studies on AtlasPROfilax®

German researchers like Dr. Bodo Kuklinski and Dr. Anja Schemionek among others like César Fernández de las Peñas from the Universidad Rey Juan Carlos or Dr. Arendt-Nielsen of the Center for Sensory-Motor Interaction of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Aalborg in Denmark, establish in their books and articles a direct link between the instability of the upper cervicals and more specifically in the suboccipital muscles and their relationship with chronic pain of non-malignant origin such as tension headaches, migraines and cervicalgias.

The AtlasPROfilax® method and its assumption of a high prevalence of deep myofascial disorders and minor intervertebral disorders in the atlas cervicals, specifically in the atlanto-occipital hinge, have been evaluated by scientists from several disciplines.

Study of The "Diagnosticum Institut" of Germany

Since 2004 the Diagnosticum Institute, which belongs to the German University of Witten-Herdecke, started an independent study on the AtlasPROfilax® technique. The aim of the study was not to determine imaging findings of minor but significant intervertebral disorders, especially at C0,C1 and C2. We also wanted to evaluate whether, in case of Atlas malrotation, the myofascial technique AtlasPROfilax® was effective in correcting, improving or optimizing it.

The exact position of the atlas with respect to the occipital and the axis was determined radiologically and a comparative examination before and after the AtlasPROfilax® therapy was the basis of the study.

Basis of the study

The study had to determine whether there was a high percentage of the patients examined if they presented a cranial caudal deviation of the Atlas and an alteration of the Axis. It also wanted to show if the angles of inclination or rotation of C1-C2 were improved using the AtlasPROfilax® Method.
 
The study helped to determine 3 essential points:

  1. The existence and, where appropriate, the extent of a malrotation of the Atlas
  2. The effectiveness of the AtlasPROfilax® method
  3. Possible side effects of the application of the technique

Several patients were studied for 5 years with 3D CT (computed axial tomography). Several state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging scanners from Phillips and Siemens were used. The patients were subjected to 3D scanner images before and after the AtlasPROfilax® method was performed.

The sample of the first study was 114 patients:

  Age Average age Gender  
  4 to 82 years old 49.7 years old 59% women //41% men  

The study was conducted without consideration of race, sex or age and lasted 5 years during which the following protocol was used:

  1. Imaging examination of the patient's upper cervical area with X-ray, MRI, and 3D CT scan prior to AtlasPROfilax® therapy.
  2. Evaluation of the images from various angles and thorough analysis of the C0-C1-C2 area.
  3. Application of the AtlasPROfilax® therapy.
  4. Examination with MRI and 3D CT after the AtlasPROfilax® technique has been performed.
  5. Comparison of the images obtained "pre" and "post" to the therapy and conclusion of each case.

The technique was performed in the presence of the medical directors of the Radiological Institute Diagnosticum, right after the first imaging exam. A second imaging exam was then performed in all cases under the same conditions (only about forty minutes to an hour difference between the first and second radiological exam).

Imaging Protocol

A skull support was placed along with several fixation elements. The reconstruction was graduated from 1/0.5 mm. The cuts made were in sagittal and coronal planes while the axial cuts followed the orientation of the vertebral bodies, executing a simultaneous request and two acquisitions. The doses were controlled by the specialists.

The adjustment of the windows was Raw Data with HR algorithm and applying a specific convolution filter.

The centering process was done below the clavicles using a laser as a guide. The protocols used were Surview dual AP and lateral. The thickness of the cut was 1.5 mm with an interval of 0.75 mm in standard resolution, collimation of 10 x 0.75 for a Picht of 0.71 and a rotation time of 0.5. The FOV was set at 300 and the Z-Dom technique was used.

Results and conclusions of the study

Out of a total of 114 subjects examined, 112 presented before the AtlasPROfilax® technique a vicious or incorrect position of the Atlas with cranial caudal deviation and inclination with important decrease of articular contact and lack of join of the occipital condyles in the superior articular facets of the Atlas of the glenoid cavity. After performing the AtlasPROfilax® method the later comparative images showed an evident change in the position of the Atlas. The enarthrosic fit of C0 to C1 was anatomically correct and the intra-articular contact between C0 and C1 as well as C1 and C2 was much more complete. A clear improvement was also observed between the joint relationship of the atlas and the axis as well as a general change of the head position. 

It should be noted that in the vast majority of cases examined, the atlas showed a right-handed rotation as well as an upper left-handed tilting.The minor left rotational intervebral derangement was significantly less frequent.

  1. Prior to AtlasPROfilax® therapy there is an atlas rotation with cranial caudal deviation and inclined position in more than 98% of the cases examined (see videos and images of the study)
  2. After the AtlasPROfilax® therapy, the bad rotation of the atlas and the cranial caudal deviation with inclination are effectively corrected  (see videos and images of the study)
  3. In later exams the correction of the atlas and its good position are maintained
  4. These results allow for new scientific research and much more extensive studies not only on imaging, but above all on the clinical implications of AtlasPROfilax® Therapy in multiple pathologies.

Moreover, the doctors of the Diagnosticum Institute who performed the study did not observe any adverse effects during or after the application of AtlasPROfilax® Method in all the treated patients. The follow-up of these patients highlighted many improvements described by them; improvements such as better mobility in the neck, better posture that was maintained over time, improvement in joint discomfort, back or limb pain and neuro-vascular problems such as dizziness, lack of balance or headaches.

These improvements referred by the patients have been analyzed later in the framework of other clinical studies.

Technology used

Several technologies were used for the study, all of them according to the latest technological standards:

  • X-rays. Magnetic Resonance: MAGNETOM Symphony, from Siemens.
  • Computerized Axial Tomography: SOMATOM Sensation 64, from Siemens. World's fastest computerized tomography scanner (for 2004-2006). The SOMATOM Sensation 64 sets new standards not only in speed but also in image quality and detail.

AtlasPROfilax® Incidence of SID in the Studied Population and Effectiveness Table

  Incorrect position of the Atlas Correct position of the Atlas
Before AtlasPROfilax® 98,24% 1,76%
After AtlasPROfilax® 0% 100%

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