C1 Spine Lab

It was a huge leap of faith for me that a teeny nudge at C1-​C2 would affect my L4-​L5 sciatica. While never having become intractable or very high on the pain scale, the sciatica was becoming more chronic and disruptive to sleep and various activities. Dr. Park studiously reviewed my orthopedist’s CDs of X-​rays and MRI before taking X-​rays centering on the neck. He explained that he no longer adjusts other points on the spine, because everything will eventually fall into place from C1 adjustments. I have to admit that I don’t quite understand why a few concurrent adjustments along the spine would not help the whole process.
The adjustment is a very precise tap on the neck bone behind the ear. Before and after status is determined by palpating the neck and measuring the relative length of the legs via a photo which he presents to me. I was initially skeptical of the objectivity of the leg measurements, since he needs to momentarily lift the ankles to relax any tension before the measurement. However, there was even a significant change in leg length from immediately after the adjustment and several minutes later (during which the adjustment’s effects were passed along), even though my legs had not been moved again.
Dr. Park prescribed some simple neck exercises, which take less than 3 minutes, to be performed 4 times per day. Beginning with 3 sessions per week, Dr. Park reduced my adjustment frequency to 2 and then 1 per week, as I progressed faster than expected. I should point out that I am involved in several regular activities, do 2 – 3 yoga classes per week, and use some of the Esther Gokhale techniques. Now after 12 adjustments, I am generally able to sleep on either side and perform most activities without the sciatica kicking in. Of course, I will continue the adjustments as needed and hopefully further reduce the frequency.

I have had lower back pain for about 5 years now but it had gotten really bad about 3 years ago when I fell my skateboard. Since my injury my pain scale, from 1 – 10, was at about 7 or 8 on a bad day and 5 on a good day. But today after going to C1, after a fortunate auto accident, I am experiencing a pain scale of only 4. Thats 4 on a scale of 1 – 10 EVERYDAY.
It is called the Atlas Orthogonal treatment. I had gone to other chiropractors before, and it would always involve some cracking, stretching, tapping and sessions with electric pads. At C1 it was very different. First, I found Dr. Park to be highly trust worthy. He was very honest that this practice is considered alternative medicine. And that is is not an alternative to going to an orthopedic surgeon if there are no results. He even went as far as to let me know that if I did not see any results within 2 – 3 months he would recommend an orthopedic surgeon. He also took time to talk to me about my expectations going into the treatments with him, and explained the basis of the Atlas treatment. I will have to say I was a bit skeptical, having been in pain for so long, when he told me he could reduce my pain symptoms to a manageable level with an adjustment of a small bone in my neck…
Second, each session included an honest leg check. After lying on the table he would take post and pre pictures on my leg length and show it to me. I really liked how we were on the same page when it came to my treatment.
Third, he was also very helpful about how to continue my progress. Through his advice I have elevated my work monitors and adjusted my posture. He also gave me sheets with the best exercises I should be doing to strengthen my core.
Before coming to C1, I have never heard of this type of treatment. Even he admits that this treatment sounds weird to many people. But i have seen real results. Thanks to his treatments and recommended lifestyle changes, I have taken off my back brace and haven’t had to any pain meds to manage my pain for the first time in months.
I recommend people discouraged with alternative treatments to give C1 spine lab a try.

WOW! Dr. Park is a rare find. He is an expert in his field, and he is very honest. For those of you not familiar with Atlas Orthogonal chiropractic, it is a very technical and precise technique involving a gentle percussion instrument that moves the atlas bone back into alignment without any cracking or popping that is usually associated with chiropractic care. It is so gentle that the first time you might think that nothing happened… until your symptoms begin to alleviate! I’ve had frequent migraines since I was 18, and it has been almost 2 months since my last one thanks to Dr. Park and Atlas Orthogonal. The migraines aren’t the only issue I was having, but it was what motivated me to find out about Atlas Orthogonal in the first place because I couldn’t take the pain any longer, and I was tired of taking pills. I’ve even lost weight because I’m able to be more active due to less pain, and this is just the beginning of my care! I can’t point to a single event that knocked my atlas out of alignment, but between all the fender benders I’ve been in, poor posture, bad mattresses & pillows, my spine is all out of whack. Dr. Park is safely and gently helping me to get back into proper alignment, and I am so thankful to have found him!
I did a ton of research on Atlas Orthogonal before I selected Dr. Park. I chose him because I had read that he worked directly with the inventor of the AO technique, and because of the information on his website’s «About Us» page explaining how he views his craft as an artform. That really hit home for me. He is very focused on his work, yet still very personable. Sometimes you get one or the other, but Dr. Park is an excellent doctor, and very friendly too.