Sternal head:<\/strong> originates from the manubrium of the sternum<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Clavicular head:<\/strong> originates from the medial portion of the clavicle<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Its insertion is at the mastoid process of the temporal bone and the lateral part of the superior nuchal line.<\/p>\n Neural innervation:<\/p>\n Motor:<\/strong> Accessory nerve (cranial nerve XI)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sensory (proprioception):<\/strong> C2 and C3 spinal nerves<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n This dual-source innervation integrates the SCM neurologically with both cranial and cervical systems. Therefore, the tension state of the SCM can directly influence head position and cervical joint mechanics.<\/p>\n restricts the rotational position of the atlas<\/p>\n<\/li>\n causes asymmetric load distribution in the atlanto-occipital joint<\/p>\n<\/li>\n creates reflex tension in contralateral suboccipital muscles<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n In the literature, SCM tension has been reported to cause segmental hypomobility in the C1\u2013C2 region, which shortens the duration of alignment after manipulation. Therefore, SCM mobilization before Atlas Therapy allows manipulation to be performed with less force and less resistance.<\/p>\n The insertion of the SCM is at the mastoid process of the temporal bone, a region very close to the bony capsule containing the inner ear structures through the petrous part of the temporal bone. Excessive tension of the SCM may influence the auditory system through the following mechanisms:<\/p>\n Proprioceptive load:<\/strong> The muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs of the SCM are key receptors in the cervical proprioceptive system. This system is directly connected with vestibular nuclei. Abnormal signals from neck muscles can lead to false motion perception in the vestibular system and phenomena such as tinnitus.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Mechanical transmission:<\/strong> SCM tension creates stress in fascial structures around the mastoid region, which may alter the micro-mobility of the temporal bone. This can indirectly affect inner ear fluid pressure and middle ear pressure balance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Vascular effect:<\/strong> Misalignment at the atlas level can produce hemodynamic changes in the vertebral artery or inner ear vessels. Relaxation of the SCM may reduce indirect compression on these vessels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Cervical tinnitus:<\/strong> Musculoskeletal dysfunction in the upper cervical segments has been linked to tinnitus symptoms. In some cases, significant improvement has been observed after SCM mobilization.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Posture and hearing relationship:<\/strong> Studies investigating the correlation between neck muscle tone and the vestibular system show that normalization of SCM activity improves balance performance.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n After atlas manipulation:<\/strong> Clinical reports indicate that atlas alignments supported with SCM mobilization have a longer duration of stability following manipulation.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The SCM muscle has multidimensional connections with the atlas vertebra through biomechanical, neurological, and auditory pathways. In the Atlas Therapy model, SCM mobilization:<\/p>\n increases C1\u2013C2 range of motion<\/p>\n<\/li>\n reduces resistance applied to the joint capsule during manipulation<\/p>\n<\/li>\n decreases proprioceptive noise in the vestibular system<\/p>\n<\/li>\n contributes to the relief of hearing and balance-related symptoms<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Therefore, SCM mobilization should be regarded not only as supportive but also as a key component that enhances the effectiveness of Atlas Therapy.<\/p>\n Physiotherapist Yi\u011fit Alp \u015eim\u015fek<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n References<\/strong><\/p>\n Standring S. Gray\u2019s Anatomy: The Anatomical Basis of Clinical Practice. 42nd Edition. Elsevier, 2020.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Fern\u00e1ndez-de-Las-Pe\u00f1as C, Simons DG, Cuadrado ML, Pareja JA. The role of myofascial trigger points in musculoskeletal pain syndromes of the head and neck. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2007;11(5):365\u2013372. doi:10.1007\/s11916-007-0216-1<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Jull G, Falla D, Treleaven J, Hodges P, Vicenzino B. Retraining cervical joint position sense: the effect of two exercise regimes. J Orthop Res. 2007;25(3):404\u2013412. doi:10.1002\/jor.20329<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Karlberg M, Magnusson M, Malmstr\u00f6m EM, Melander A, Moritz U. Postural and symptomatic improvement after physiotherapy in patients with dizziness of suspected cervical origin. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1996;77(9):874\u2013882. doi:10.1016\/S0003-9993(96)90269-2<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n H\u00fclse M, H\u00f6rmann K, Servais JJ, Arlen O. The influence of atlas therapy on tinnitus. Int Tinnitus J. 2006;12(2):144\u2013150.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Hall T, Robinson K. The flexion-rotation test and active cervical mobility, a comparative measurement study in cervicogenic headache. Man Ther. 2004;9(4):197\u2013202. doi:10.1016\/j.math.2004.07.001<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Oostendorp RA, Elvers H, van Trijffel E, Lemmers G, de Vet HC, Scholten-Peeters GG. Manual therapy for cervical and cervicogenic somatic tinnitus: a systematic review. Musculoskelet Sci Pract. 2021;53:102361. doi:10.1016\/j.msksp.2021.102361<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kogler A, Lindfors J, Odkvist LM, Ledin T. Postural stability using different neck positions in normal subjects and patients with neck trauma. Acta Otolaryngol. 2000;120(2):151\u2013155. doi:10.1080\/000164800750000803<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Simons DG, Travell JG, Simons LS. Travell & Simons\u2019 Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. Volume 1, Upper Extremities. 2nd Edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 1999.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 1. Rationale of Preliminary Preparation in the Atlas Therapy Model The atlas (C1 vertebra) connects with the skull and C2 (axis) through the atlanto-occipital and atlanto-axial joints. The atlanto-occipital joint is responsible for most of the flexion and extension of the head, while the atlanto-axial joint accounts for approximately 50 percent of rotation. For manipulation […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10784,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10782","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-atlastherapy"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10782","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10782"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10782\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10787,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10782\/revisions\/10787"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/10784"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10782"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10782"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.atlasterapi.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10782"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
3. SCM and Atlas Biomechanics<\/h3>\n
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The pull of the SCM on the skull can alter the spatial position of the atlas. In particular, unilateral hypertonus:<\/p>\n\n
4. SCM and Auditory System Neuroanatomical Connection<\/h3>\n
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5. Literature-Supported Clinical Observations<\/h3>\n
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6. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance<\/h3>\n
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