​​A Gentle, Precise Upper Cervical Approach in Buffalo and Grand Island, NY

Atlas Orthogonal is a specialized form of upper cervical chiropractic care focused on the atlas, also called C1, the top vertebra of the spine.

 

Unlike traditional hands-on neck adjustments, the Atlas Orthogonal technique uses detailed imaging, precise measurements, and a specialized table-mounted percussive sound wave instrument to deliver a gentle correction. No twisting, cracking, or popping of the neck is required.

 

At Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic of Buffalo, every correction is calculated specifically for the individual patient. Dr. Michael Muto does not use a standard adjustment or take a one-size-fits-all approach. 

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Why Is the Atlas Important?

The atlas sits directly beneath the skull and supports the weight of the head. It also plays an important role in head and neck movement, posture, balance, and the mechanics of the upper cervical spine. When the head and atlas are not properly balanced, the body may compensate. This can create additional stress on the muscles, joints, and other structures of the neck and spine. An Atlas Orthogonal evaluation looks closely at the relationship between the skull, atlas, and cervical spine to determine whether an upper cervical alignment problem may be contributing to a patient’s symptoms.

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How Does Atlas Orthogonal Work?

Atlas Orthogonal care follows a detailed process designed to make each correction as specific as possible.

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1. Consultation and Health History

Dr. Muto begins by listening to your concerns and reviewing your health history. Previous falls, car accidents, sports injuries, concussions, whiplash, surgeries, and other forms of head or neck trauma may all be important.

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2. Comprehensive Examination

Your examination may include neurological, orthopedic, postural, balance, and upper cervical assessments. These findings help determine whether further evaluation of the atlas is appropriate.

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3. Specialized Digital Imaging

Specialized upper cervical X-rays are taken to evaluate the relationship between your head, atlas, and spine. These are not simply general neck X-rays. The images are carefully measured to identify the direction and degree of an individual misalignment.

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4. A Customized Correction

The measurements from your examination and imaging are used to calculate a correction designed specifically for your anatomy. A table-mounted Atlas Orthogonal instrument delivers a brief, precisely directed percussive impulse near the atlas. There is no forceful twisting, pulling, cracking, or popping of the neck. Many patients are surprised by how gentle the correction feels.

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5. Reassessment and Monitoring

Following the correction, Dr. Muto reassesses your findings. In some cases, a post-correction image may be taken after the initial adjustment to evaluate the change and confirm the accuracy of the correction.

At future visits, you are checked before being adjusted. If the correction is holding and an adjustment is not indicated, you are not automatically adjusted simply because you came into the office. The goal is to help the correction remain stable for as long as possible, using as few adjustments as necessary. Also, other areas of the spine will be addressed as clinically indicated.

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Atlas Orthogonal vs. Traditional Chiropractic

Chiropractic techniques vary by provider, but Atlas Orthogonal is different from many commonly used approaches in several important ways.

Area of Focus

Traditional chiropractic may address multiple areas of the spine during one visit. Atlas Orthogonal focuses specifically on the relationship between the skull and the upper cervical spine, particularly the atlas.

Method of Adjustment

Many traditional adjustments are performed manually and may involve rotating or moving a joint through a controlled range of motion. Atlas Orthogonal uses a specialized percussive instrument to deliver a specific calculated correction without twisting or forceful manipulation of the neck.

​Use of Imaging

Atlas Orthogonal care relies on specialized upper cervical imaging and detailed measurements to calculate the direction of the correction.

Adjustment Frequency

Patients are evaluated at each visit to determine whether an adjustment is needed. The goal is not to adjust the atlas repeatedly when the correction is already holding.

Patient Experience

The Atlas Orthogonal correction is gentle and usually produces little sensation. There is no cracking or popping sound from the neck.

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What Symptoms Bring People to an Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractor?

People seek an Atlas Orthogonal evaluation for many different reasons. Some of the most common concerns reported by patients include:

• Recurring headaches

• Migraines

• Neck pain or stiffness

• Dizziness or vertigo

• Balance problems

• Brain fog

• Head pressure

• Lingering symptoms following a concussion

• Symptoms following whiplash or another neck injury

• Occipital neuralgia

• Facial or jaw discomfort

• Tinnitus or ear fullness

• Arm numbness or tingling

• Postural imbalance

 

These symptoms can have many possible causes. Having one of these symptoms does not automatically mean that the atlas is responsible. The purpose of an examination is to determine whether an upper cervical problem may be one contributing factor and whether Atlas Orthogonal care is appropriate for your individual situation.

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Dr. Muto’s role is to evaluate your findings carefully, explain what he sees, and tell you whether he believes upper cervical care may be appropriate. When another type of evaluation or treatment is needed, Atlas Orthogonal care can work alongside that care.

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What to Expect at AO Buffalo

 

Your First Visit

Your first visit includes:

• A one-on-one consultation with Dr. Muto

• A detailed health history

• A comprehensive neurological and orthopedic examination

• Postural and upper cervical assessments

• Specialized Atlas Orthogonal digital X-rays

Dr. Muto then personally analyzes your findings and imaging before making any recommendations.

 

Your Second Visit

During your second visit, Dr. Muto will:

• Review your examination findings

• Explain your X-ray analysis

• Discuss whether Atlas Orthogonal care is appropriate

• Answer your questions

• Provide your first correction if you choose to proceed

A post-correction X-ray may be taken following the initial correction to evaluate its accuracy.

 

Why Choose Dr. Michael Muto?

Dr. Michael Muto has practiced chiropractic since 1995 and has dedicated more than a decade to the specialized study of Atlas Orthogonal upper cervical care.

He has completed advanced postgraduate training through the Dr. Roy Sweat Institute, founded by Dr. Roy Sweat, one of the developers of the Atlas Orthogonal technique. Dr. Muto is one of approximately 350 practitioners worldwide trained in this highly specialized technique and the only Atlas Orthogonal chiropractor serving Western and Central New York.

Patients travel to AO Buffalo from Grand Island, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Rochester, Syracuse, Southern Ontario, and surrounding communities for this specialized approach.

Every patient receives an individualized evaluation, a correction calculated from their own imaging, and honest recommendations based on their findings.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Is Atlas Orthogonal the same as regular/traditional

chiropractic?

No. Atlas Orthogonal is a specialized upper cervical technique focused primarily on the atlas. It uses detailed imaging, individualized measurements, and a table-mounted instrument rather than forceful manual rotation of the neck.

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Does an Atlas Orthogonal adjustment hurt?

Most patients report little or no discomfort. The correction is brief and does not require twisting, cracking, or popping the neck which is something a lot of people fear.

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Do you adjust the entire spine?

Our practice focuses on Atlas Orthogonal upper cervical care. The objective is to improve the alignment and function of the upper cervical spine and then evaluate how the rest of the body responds. Other areas of the spine will be addressed as clinically indicated.

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Will I be adjusted at every appointment?

Not necessarily. Dr. Muto evaluates whether your correction is holding before deciding whether another adjustment is indicated.

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Are X-rays required?

Specialized upper cervical X-rays are an essential part of the Atlas Orthogonal analysis used in our office. They allow Dr. Muto to calculate a correction based on your individual anatomy rather than estimating the direction of the adjustment.

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Can Atlas Orthogonal help with migraines?

Migraine is a neurological condition with many possible contributing factors. Some patients with migraines also have neck pain, upper cervical dysfunction, previous whiplash, or a history of head or neck trauma. An evaluation can help determine whether the upper cervical spine may be one part of the picture that has often been overlooked.

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Can Atlas Orthogonal help with dizziness or vertigo?

Dizziness and vertigo can have neurological, cardiovascular, vestibular, medication-related, and musculoskeletal causes. Some patients seek an upper cervical evaluation when neck dysfunction or a previous injury may be contributing to their symptoms.

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Can Atlas Orthogonal help after a concussion?

A concussion is a brain injury and should first be evaluated by an appropriate medical provider. A concussion can also occur with an injury to the neck. For patients who continue experiencing headaches, dizziness, brain fog, balance problems, or neck pain after appropriate medical evaluation, Dr. Muto can assess whether upper cervical dysfunction may be an additional contributing factor and if it can help with your lingering symptoms.

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How many visits will I need?

There is no single schedule that is appropriate for everyone. Recommendations depend on your history, examination findings, imaging, symptoms, response to care, and how well your correction holds.

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Is Atlas Orthogonal Right for You?

If you are looking for a gentle, precise approach without forceful neck manipulation, an Atlas Orthogonal evaluation can help determine whether your upper cervical spine may be contributing to your symptoms.

 

The first step is to see if your atlas could be contributing to the problem. The first step is a careful evaluation, examination and specialized upper cervical x-rays.

 

Schedule an Atlas Orthogonal Evaluation

 

Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic of Buffalo is located at:

1730 Grand Island Boulevard
Grand Island, NY 14072

Dr. Michael Muto serves patients from Grand Island, Buffalo, Erie County, Niagara County, Western and Central New York, and Southern Ontario.

Call 716-775-5025 or schedule your new patient appointment online here Online Booking - IntakeQ

 

Gentle. Precise. No twisting or cracking required.

 

About the Author

Written and clinically reviewed by Dr. Michael Muto, DC

Dr. Michael Muto is an Atlas Orthogonal chiropractor at Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic of Buffalo in Grand Island, New York. He has practiced chiropractic since 1995 and has completed advanced postgraduate training through the Dr. Roy Sweat Institute. His practice focuses on gentle, precise upper cervical care for patients experiencing headaches, migraines, dizziness, vertigo, post-concussion symptoms, brain fog, and neck pain.

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Last reviewed and updated: September 2026

Sources and Additional Reading

• National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Chiropractic, In Depth

• MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine: Chiropractic

• Dr. Roy Sweat Institute: Atlas Orthogonal Technique