The joints in the upper part of your neck the C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis) - contain three types of nerve receptors:
1. Pain receptors
2. Propioceptors, which are important for muscle tone and movement
3. Pressure receptors, which are important for joint position.
The pressure receptors not only connect to the parts of your brain that are responsible for pressure sensation, but also in the parts of your brain that are responsible for hearing.
So when certain people may have a mechanical movement problem between the atlas or axis, their brain can "hear" that there is a problem when they turn their head, which makes a "clicking" noise like gristle.
Many times people are concerned that it is a sign of arthritis or instability of the upper neck. Not necessarily. Often times, it is a mechanical misalignment issue of the atlas vertebra that can be treated conservatively without drugs or surgery.
If so, an upper cervical chiropractor who focuses on the top vertebrae in your neck in order to improve the health and function of your body may be the solution you're looking for,
Visit us at atlashealth.com.au for more information, and then if that makes sense, send us an email or call us to schedule an appointment to find out if we can help you so that the clicking noise when your turn your head does not need to lead to other problems.
Dr Jeffrey Hannah
Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractor
Atlas Health Australia
North Lakes (Brisbane)
