Dr. Herbert Koerner

Engineer - Doctor - Circumnavigator

Questions for Dr. Koerner

How long have chiropractic manipulations in the atlas region been known?

Since Daniel David Palmer, born in 1845 in Canada. Palmer, who founded the Palmer College of Chiropractic (Davenport, Iowa) in 1897, was the subject of ongoing discussion about a connection between health and the biomechanical position of the first cervical vertebra (atlas) between the base of the skull and the second cervical vertebra (axis). The reason for this discussion was that various manipulation techniques in the atlas region often produced diverse treatment results that could not be explained by conventional medicine.

What is the function of the atlas vertebra?

The atlas (meaning "nodder") is the central element of the two atlanto-occipital joints. It is connected to the occipital bone (os occipitale) towards the skull and to the axis (meaning "rotator") downwards by a highly flexible ligamentous apparatus. This allows the atlas free movement in all three planes of space and biomechanical action across six joint surfaces, similar to a universal joint. More than twenty muscle attachments on the ring of the atlas and an optimally arranged ligamentous apparatus transmit the load supporting the head.

To support the head, the load-bearing capacity, shock absorption, shear forces, and mobility in the atlas region are managed and controlled solely by the muscles. The actual supporting function for the head, which can weigh up to five kilograms, is performed by the neck muscles and the circular muscles surrounding the atlas. In addition to protecting the central nervous system, the atlas vertebra ensures the basal blood supply to the brain via the two internal vertebral arteries. Just as a seal constantly balances a ball on its nose, the atlas vertebra controls the opening of the two inner arteries with virtually no friction during every head movement.

Are there other therapies available for the atlas region?

Yes, there is a growing number of therapies available for the atlas region, some of which are performed not only manually but also with devices by an atlas therapist or atlas technician. They promise freedom from pain after a single "correction" of the so-called "misalignment" of the atlas vertebra. Originally developed from chiropractic applications, a wide field of so-called atlas technicians has emerged alongside medical practitioners. These applications should be approached with caution.

Who is authorized to perform atlas therapy?

An atlas therapist is a medical or naturopathic specialist who focuses on the treatment of the atlas or the cervical spine. To be authorized to perform atlas therapy, a completed chiropractic training is required. For the treatment of children and babies, an additional certificate must be obtained through further training. Since this therapy is considered a medical intervention under the law, it may only be performed by licensed physicians with additional training in chiropractic.

Why do many therapists talk about an "atlas misalignment"?

Here, a misalignment of the atlas vertebra is interpreted in connection with many illnesses. In medicine, however, the term misalignment is only used in connection with, for example, a curved spine (scoliosis). The atlas vertebra, with its high mobility, actually compensates positively for this biomechanical functional restriction in the atlanto-occipital joint. If the internal carotid artery is restricted on the left or right side, the atlas moves back and forth to compensate for this restriction. External influences on our cervical spine are crucial! Unilateral strain on the cervical spine muscles, cramped seating in airplanes, long car journeys, prolonged sitting at a computer, and poor posture due to anatomical limitations (e.g., scoliosis, leg length discrepancy, etc.) require the atlas to constantly counteract these forces in order to keep the blood vessels open. This can lead to serious fatigue of the atlas ring muscles, which are no longer able to perform the counter-movement, balance cannot be maintained, and various symptoms can occur. Manifest problems cannot be resolved with a single "correction" of the atlas vertebra!

Are there other medically sound therapies for the atlas region?

Yes, there is Atlas therapy, which was developed by the general practitioner and radiologist Dr. Albert Arlen. He described the effects of one or more impulses on the back of the head and neck area and the associated improvement of various conditions.

Quote from the German Society for Manual Pediatric Treatment and Atlas Therapy: "Atlas therapy, a gentle manual therapy method for children, was developed by the Alsatian physician Dr. Arlen. It aims to treat neuromotor disorders, which are significant as underlying causes of musculoskeletal pain, and is performed regardless of age. The Atlas therapist applies manual stretching stimuli to permanently eliminate tension. By stimulating the area surrounding the atlas vertebra, key neurophysiological control points are addressed, and their activation leads to improved coordination and body awareness. Atlas therapy according to Arlen does not use any medication. Rather, it focuses on releasing blockages and thus stimulating the body's self-healing abilities." The ÄMKA was founded in 1992 as a scientific association of physicians trained in manual medicine.

What distinguishes Atlas therapy according to Arlen from Atlas medicine according to Koerner?

There are two key differences:
1. In Atlas medicine, unlike Atlas therapy, the therapist treats the patient from the front (ventral) rather than the back (dorsal). During the impulse, the therapist forms a controlled, static unit with the patient's head against their sternum to optimize the transmission of energetic information. The therapist delivers the impulse with extremely high tension in the abdominal and back muscles. (This energetic focus is comparable to that of a karate fighter.)

2. The impulse, called a TBS impulse (temporary brain split) in Atlas medicine, is applied sequentially to the respective sides of the body. In Atlas therapy, the impulse is usually applied unilaterally. An effectively executed impulse in Atlas medicine must immediately and optimally correct the biophysical regulatory circuits in the treated hemisphere of the brain, effectively performing a bioreset. Somatically, the patient experiences the positive physical and psychological changes as a distinct unilateral physical reaction. The TBS impulse is painless.

My medical advice: If you experience unclear acute symptoms in the cervical spine area, please consult a specialist first to rule out any conditions that might require conventional medical intervention.

Das Buch, Zitat Seite 46:

EINE BIOMECHANISCHE MEISTERLEISTUNG

Dieses funktionale Phänomen der oberen Halswirbelsäule vergleicht Claus-Heinrich Siemsen, Orthopäde aus Buxtehude, mit Leichtbaustrukturen, wie sie beispielsweise Richard Buckminster Fuller in seinen materialeffizienten geodätischen Kuppelkonstruktionen verwirklichte (vgl. dazu: Koerner H., Siemsen C.-H.: Die Bedeutung des Atlas aus der Sicht der Angewandten Humankybernetik sowie seiner biomechanischen Belastung und Funktionsweise. Orthopädische und Unfallchirurgische Praxis 11, 2012, 454–458). Der amerikanische Architekt entwarf für die Weltausstellung Expo 1967 in Montreal mit einem Durchmesser von 80 Metern die bis dahin größte freitragende Kuppel der Welt.
Für derartige Strukturen wurde der Begriff Tensegrity geschaffen. Diese Bezeichnung setzt sich zusammen aus dem lateinischen Wort „Tension“ für Druck oder Spannung und dem englischen Wort „Integrity“ für Zuverlässigkeit.
Abb. 8: Tetraederstruktur nach Koerner
„In Tensegrity ist ein Konstruktionsprinzip verwirklicht, das selbsttragend ist und keine innere Abstützung benötigt", erläutert Siemsen und zieht einen Vergleich zwischen den architektonischen Strukturen und denen der Atlasregion. Auch der anatomische Bereich des Kopfgelenkes weist Strukturen auf, die sehr stabil sind und die permanent mechanischen Stress ausbalancieren und ableiten können.
Wie man sich dies vorstellen muss, beschreibt Siemsen beispielhaft anhand der Kraftverteilung im Körper von Gewichthebern. Bei diesen Extremsportlern komme es trotz der hohen Belastung durch die Hantel selbst paradoxerweise zu einer starken Entlastung der Wirbelsäule, genauer gesagt: der Bandscheiben und kleinen Wirbelgelenke – und zwar dadurch, dass aufgrund des Trainings die umgebenden Strukturen von Kapseln, Bändern und Muskeln sowie der Haut die Haltefunktion übernommen haben. (Zitatende)