José G León¹, Lluís Manent³, Kathleen Lewis⁴ and Orlando Angulo²*

¹Department of Physical Activity and Sports Medicine, San José Children's Hospital, Bogotá DC, Colombia
²Professor and Researcher at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio and Professor at the Department of Continued Education, Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogotá DC, Colombia
³Professor in Agreement at the Department of Continued Education, Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogotá DC, Colombia
⁴Independent Researcher, California, USA

*Corresponding Author: Orlando Angulo, Professor and Researcher at Universidad Cooperativa de Colombia, Villavicencio and Professor at the Department of Continued Education, Fundacion Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud, Bogotá DC, Colombia.

Received: August 30, 2021; Published: September 24, 2021

Abstract

A 30-year-old woman with chronic shoulder pain, cervicobrachial syndrome with functional motor loss and paresthesia, carpal tunnel syndrome, tension-type headache, and temporomandibular disorders was referred for a computed tomography scan to evaluate a possible atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation and asymmetry of the lateral atlantodental interval prior to the application of the Atlasprofilax method. The same tomographic study was performed after the application of this method. Normalization of the atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation and lateral atlantodental interval was observed post-treatment, as well as substantial improvement in the patient’s symptoms. Normalization of previous midline deviation and better alignment of C3-C4 spinous processes was also visualized after the application of the treatment. We also discuss the probable relationship, relevance, and implications of clinical or subclinical atlantoaxial rotatory subluxations and lateral atlantodental interval. In addition, we consider the fascia and suboccipital muscles that could be underlying abnormalities at the craniocervical junction and affecting proximal or distal regions. The effectiveness of the Atlasprofilax method as an innovative, safe, and non-invasive approach is preliminarily postulated and recommended to be the subject of further consideration and clinical studies.

Keywords: Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation; Lateral Atlantodental Interval; Odontoid-Lateral Mass Interspaces Asymmetry; Atlasprofilax; Mechanotransduction; Craniocervical Joint; Fascia; Vertebral Subluxation; Suboccipital Muscles

References

1. Almǎşan OC., et al. “Skeletal pattern in subjects with temporomandibular joint disorders”. Archives of Medical Science1 (2013): 118-126.
2. Assche R Van., et al. “Interaction between Suboccipital Muscles and TMJ Muscles” (2006).
3. Brunner S and Rovsing H. “Spontaneous Subluxation of the Atlanto‐Axial Joint”. Acta Pædiatrica1 (1962): 88-93.
4. AW S. “Subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint, sequel to inflammatory processes of the neck”. The Journal of Pediatrics4 (1949): 451-464.
5. WHO guidelines on basic training and safety in chiropractic. Eff Br mindfulness Interv acute pain Exp An Exam Individ Differences 1 (2005): 1699.
6. Watkins RJ. “Subluxation terminology since 1746”. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association (1968): 18-24.
7. Evans DK. “Anterior cervical subluxation”. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - Series B3 (1976): 318-321.
8. Rome PL. “Usage of chiropractic terminology in the literature: 296 ways to say “subluxation”: complex issues of the vertebral subluxation”. Tech Chiropractic2 (1996): 49-60.
9. Keating JC., et al. “Subluxation: dogma or science?” Chiropractic and Osteopathy1 (2005): 17.
10. Dishman R. “Review of the literature supporting a scientific basis for the chiropractic subluxation complex”. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics3 (1985): 163-174.
11. Kent C. “Models of Vertebral Subluxation: A Review”. Trauma1 (1996): 1-7.
12. “Diagnostic Imaging Practice Guidelines for Musculoskeletal Complaints in Adults-An Evidence-Based Approach-Part 3: Spinal Disorders”. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 31.1 (2008): 33-88.
13. Hubbard TA., et al. “Inter- and intraexaminer reliability of the Blair protractoview method: examination of a chiropractic radiographic technique”. Journal of Chiropractic Medicine2 (2010): 60-68.
14. Lee S., et al. “Asymmetry of the odontoid-lateral mass interspaces: A radiographic finding of questionable clinical significance”. Annals of Emergency Medicine10 (1986): 1173-1176.
15. Harty JA., et al. “Odontoid lateral mass asymmetry: Do we over-investigate?” Emergency Medicine Journal9 (2005): 625-627.
16. Borders HL., et al. “Pediatric lateral atlantodental interval: How much asymmetry is normal?” Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography5 (2011): 557-559.
17. Chen Y., et al. “A three-dimensional study of the atlantodental interval in a normal Chinese population using reformatted computed tomography”. Surgical and Radiologic Anatomy9 (2011): 801-806.
18. Billmann F., et al. “Occurrence and significance of odontoid lateral mass interspace asymmetry in trauma patients”. World Journal of Surgery8 (2013): 1988-1995.
19. A EDM Y. “Asymmetry of the odontoid lateral mass interval in pediatric trauma CT: Do we need to investigate further?” The American Journal of Neuroradiology4 (2016): 176-179.
20. Mendenhall SK., et al. “Evaluation of lateral atlantodental interval asymmetry in the pediatric age group: normative values”. Journal of Neurosurgery: Pediatrics2 (2018): 195-199.
21. “Upper crossed syndrome and its relationship to cervicogenic headache”. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 27.6 (2004): 414-420.
22. “Postural control deficits in people with fibromyalgia: A pilot study”. Arthritis Research and Therapy 13.4 (2011).
23. Hallgren RC and Rowan JJ. “Implied evidence of the functional role of the rectus capitis posterior muscles”. The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association6 (2020): 395-403.
24. McPartland JM and Brodeur RR. “Rectus capitis posterior minor: A small but important suboccipital muscle”. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies1 (1999): 30-35.
25. Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C., et al. “Association of cross-sectional area of the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle with active trigger points in chronic tension-type headache: A pilot study”. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation3 (2008): 197-203.
26. Andary MT., et al. “Neurogenic atrophy of suboccipital muscles after a cervical injury”. American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation6 (1998): 545-549.
27. Elliott J., et al. “Fatty infiltration in the cervical extensor muscles in persistent whiplash-associated disorders: A magnetic resonance imaging analysis”. Spine22 (2006): 847-855.
28. Rick Hallgren. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Upper Cervical Spine. Detection of Atrophic Changes in Rectus Capitis Posterior Minor Muscles”. Chiropr Ressour Organ.
29. Elliott JM., et al. “Differential changes in muscle composition exist in traumatic and nontraumatic neck pain”. Spine1 (2014): 39-47.
30. Yuan XY., et al. “Correlation between chronic headaches and the rectus capitis posterior minor muscle: A comparative analysis of cross-sectional trail”. Cephalalgia 11 (2017): 1051-1056.
31. Fernández-De-Las-Peñas C., et al. “Myofascial trigger points and their relationship to headache clinical parameters in chronic tension-type headache”. Headache 8 (2006): 1264-1272.
32. Enix DE., et al. “The cervical myodural bridge, a review of literature and clinical implications”. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association 2 (2014): 184-192.
33. Hallgren RC., et al. “Clinical implications of a cervical myodural bridge” (1997).
34. Yunus MB. “The prevalence of fibromyalgia in other chronic pain conditions”. Pain Research and Treatment (2012).
35. CakitCakit BD., et al. “Comorbidity of fibromyalgia and cervical myofascial pain syndrome”. Clinical Rheumatology 4 (2010): 405-411.
36. Malagón J., et al. “A Therapeutic Alternative in the Management of Fibromyalgia”. Rev Cuarzo 23.1 (2017): 30.
37. Gutiérrez Navas VE. “Efecto De La Terapia Atlasprofilax^® Sobre Los Síntomas Relacionados Con Disfunción Temporomandibular, Bruxismo Y La Relación De Las Líneas Medias Dentales. Ustasalud 12.2 (2013): 124.
38. Tubbs RS., et al. “Cruveilhier plexus: An anatomical study and a potential cause of failed treatments for occipital neuralgia and muscular and facet denervation procedures: Laboratory investigation”. Journal of Neurosurgery5 (2011): 929-933.
39. O’leary S., et al. “Muscle dysfunction in cervical spine pain: Implications for assessment and management”. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy5 (2009): 324-333.
40. Sutcliffe P and Lasrado S. “Anatomy, Head and Neck, Deep Cervical Neck Fascia (2020).
41. Schleip R., et al. “Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body: The science and clinical applications in manual and movement therapy”. Fascia: The Tensional Network of the Human Body (2012): 1-535.
42. Cathcart E., et al. “Immediate biomechanical, systemic, and interoceptive effects of myofascial release on the thoracic spine: A randomised controlled trial”. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies1 (2019): 74-81.
43. Wang HQ., et al. “The effect on the extracellular matrix of the deep fascia in response to leg lengthening”. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2008): 9.
44. Cheng B., et al. “Cellular mechanosensing of the biophysical microenvironment: A review of mathematical models of biophysical regulation of cell responses”. Physics of Life Reviews (2017): 88-119.
45. Bordoni B and Myers T. “A Review of the Theoretical Fascial Models: Biotensegrity, Fascintegrity, and Myofascial Chains”. Cureus (2020).
46. Bordoni B., et al. “Biotensegrity or Fascintegrity?” Cureus (2019).
47. McKenney K., et al. “Myofascial release as a treatment for orthopaedic conditions: A systematic review”. The Journal of Athletic Training4 (2013): 522-527.
48. , et al. “Effectiveness of myofascial release: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials”. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies 19.1 (2015): 102-112.
49. Jiang W., et al. “Effectiveness of physical therapy on the suboccipital area of patients with tension-type headache”. Medicine19 (2019): e15487.

Citation

Citation: Orlando Angulo., et al. “Clinical and Imaging Improvement After the Atlasprofilax Method in a Patient with Cervicobrachial Syndrome and Temporomandibular Joint Disorders. A Case Report".Acta Scientific Orthopaedics 4.10 (2021): 91-102.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2021 Orlando Angulo., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.