AtlasPROfilax: a revolutionary method

Mulheim Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

30 March 2019

Mulheim Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

William Shakespeare-Ring 9–11, 45470 Mulheim an der Ruhr, Germany

The Mulheim Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology is one of the most advanced medical centres in Germany.

With more than 25 years of history, the Institute offers the most sophisticated technologies for diagnosis and prevention.

One of the Institute's objectives is the early diagnosis of disease, to stop it developing into a chronic condition. A team of doctors from different specialities works towards this goal.

Since 2005, the Mulheim Radiological Institute, directed by Dr Rainer M. M. Seibel, has carried out several scientific imaging studies to determine how often atlanto-occipital dysfunction, or cranio-caudal deviation of the atlas, occurs. The institute has also investigated how effective vibro-pressure stimulation is at correcting cranio-caudal deviation of the atlas. These imaging studies confirmed that cranio-caudal deviation of the atlas exists in 98% of human beings. They also confirmed that vibro-pressure stimulation of the upper cervical zone is effective and safe for correcting this misalignment.

A study by the Mulheim Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology in Germany

In 2006, the Mulheim Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, together with the German University of Witten/Herdecke, launched an independent study of R. C. Schümperli's vibro-pressure technique. The aim of the study was not to determine the therapeutic effects of the technique, but to test its central theory that "almost all human beings suffer a cranial-caudal deviation of the atlas with rotation and tilt". The researchers also wanted to evaluate whether vibro-pressure to the upper cervical spine was effective at correcting this condition.

The study used radiology to determine the exact position of the atlas in relation to the occiput and the axis, comparing the images taken before and after vibro-pressure stimulation.

The study set out to determine whether human beings really have a congenital cranial-caudal deviation of the atlas with rotation and tilt, and whether vibro-pressure stimulation is effective at correcting it.

The study helped to identify three essential points:

1. The existence and effects of atlas malrotation.
2. The effectiveness of vibro-pressure stimulation.
3. Possible side effects of the technique.

Patients were studied over five years using the latest Siemens MRI scanner, the Magnetom Symphony, and the Siemens Somatom Sensation 64 3D CT scanner. Each patient was scanned before and after vibro-pressure stimulation. The study involved 114 patients aged from 4 to 82, with an average age of 49.7; 59% were women and 41% were men. The study did not take race, gender or age into account, and over its five years the following criteria were used:

1. Imaging of the upper cervical area using MRI and 3D CT scans before vibro-pressure stimulation.
2. Evaluation of the images from different angles and a comprehensive analysis of the C0-C1-C2 area.
3. Vibro-pressure stimulation.
4. Imaging with MRI and 3D CT scans after vibro-pressure stimulation.
5. Comparison of the images taken before and after the therapy.

The technique was performed in the presence of the doctors responsible for the Radiological Institute, straight after the first imaging session. In every case, a second imaging session was then carried out under the same conditions, approximately 40 minutes to an hour after the first.

Results and conclusions of the study

Of the 114 people examined, 112 showed an incorrect position of the atlas before vibro-pressure stimulation, with cranial deviation and tilting, a significant reduction in joint contact, and a lack of seating between the occipital condyles and the superior articular facets of the atlas.

Note: in most cases the atlas was rotated forward on the left and tilted up on the left. Forward rotation on the right was much less common.

After vibro-pressure stimulation, a comparison of the images showed a clear change in the position of the atlas. The seating of C0-C1 was anatomically correct and the joint contact between C0-C1 and C1-C2 was complete. A clear improvement was seen in the joint relationship between the atlas and the axis, as well as a general change in the position of the head.

1. Before vibro-pressure stimulation, the imaging results of more than 98% of cases showed malrotation of the atlas, with cranial-caudal deviation and a tilted position.

2. After vibro-pressure stimulation, the malrotation of the atlas and the cranial-caudal deviation with tilt were shown to be corrected.

3. In later examinations, the corrected position of the atlas was maintained.

4. These results open the door to new scientific investigations and wider studies, not only radiological but especially into the clinical implications of AtlasPROfilax therapy.

The doctors at the Mulheim Radiological Institute did not observe any adverse effects during or after vibro-pressure stimulation. In follow-up sessions, patients described and showed improvements such as greater neck mobility, better posture, less joint discomfort, back ache or limb pain, and improvement in neurovascular problems such as vertigo, dizziness and headaches.