The atlas is the top vertebra of the cervical spine. When the atlas become misaligned, it can compress and irritate the nerves and thus cause problems throughout the entire body. With the atlas orthogonal procedure, a doctor can re-align the atlas. A small stylus is used to tap the patient's neck at a precise point which sends a percussion wave through the neck which is able to re-align the atlas into its proper position. Once the atlas is re-aligned, compression on the nerves is relieved and many other symptoms associated with a misaligned atlas are reduced.