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StopSIDS.org is a non-profit organization dedicated to research and education to end sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other senseless infant deaths. Our goal is to promote optimum health in babies and children through chiropractic-atlas correction and other healthy lifestyle choices. It is a "health hub" for research, fundraising, and communications about SIDS and its prevention, as well as improved infant and child health.

StopSIDS.org was established in 2000 by two Atlas Orthogonal chiropractors, Dr. Tracey Mulhall and Dr. Craig Wehrenberg, who have a practice outside of Albany, New York. They began researching Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 1990 and have found compelling evidence in over 100 scientific medical research papers that point to the brain stem as a causative factor in SIDS. It is their hypothesis, that correcting the spinal alignment of an infant's atlas may be able to help prevent SIDS as well as other childhood ailments by eliminating brain stem malfunction. This theory and the supporting research will be published in August 2000 in their book, The Best-Kept Secret to Raising a Healthy Child…and the Possible Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The book and the research efforts of the StopSIDS Foundation are based on the Atlas VSC-SIDS Theory which states:

The Atlas-VSC-SIDS Theory suggests that atlas subluxations (misalignments of the first bone in the spine) can be caused in the mother's womb from abnormal positioning, as well as from the birth process. The atlas subluxation can cause abnormal function of the brain stem,and the critical neurological and vascular structures that control cardiac and respiratory function. This theory recognizes that there may be other causes of SIDS, and this is presented as one theory.

When an atlas (the first vertebra in the spine) becomes subluxated in an infant the following can take place:

• Abnormal spinal cord and brain stem function due to direct mechanical stretching of these structures.
• Electrical and chemical signals to and from the brain become disturbed.
• A decrease in the proper blood supply to the brain stem from the vertebral arteries which may be altered due to the malposition of the atlas.
• Due to the fact that the infant nerve system and brain stem are not fully matured, infants are at particular risk of insult.

The Typical Procedures in an Atlas Orthogonal Office

When a new patient arrives for care, following completion of the initial paper work, a consultation is performed. In the consultation past medical history is covered, including any symptoms the patient may be experiencing, as well as any past physical trauma and birth experience. An examination will follow which typically includes a neurological, orthopedic and chiropractic examination. Included in the chiropractic examination of the patient, two procedures are performed by the Atlas Orthogonal doctor. These are a leg-length comparison and scanning palpation of the neck. These two procedures help to determine if there is an atlas subluxation present or not.

A child having his leg length comparison performed.

A child having his neck examined by scanning palpation.

Atlas Orthogonal Chiropractic is a gentle, safe, effective approach that does not use manipulation or cracking to correct spinal misalignments. In the Atlas Orthogonal procedure, the doctors utilize specific x-ray views of the cervical spine to see exactly how the atlas and other vertebrae have misaligned.

The atlas is examined in these three views, A.) Sagittal, B.) Frontal, and C.) Horizontal to determine the three dimensional misalignment.

A.	C.
B.

The information received from the x-ray analysis is then used to determine the precise vectors to which the patient will be adjusted.

The three x-ray views that are used to determine how the atlas subluxation should be corrected.

The Atlas Orthogonal Percussion instrument is then set with the vectors taken from the x-ray analysis, to accomplish the adjustment and correct the subluxation complex (misalignment). The patient feels no force and hears no pops or cracks. It is a painless adjustment that has proven to be one of the lightest, safest, most effective means of removing neurological insult. The AO instrument literally corrects the subluxation by introducing a percussion wave at the atlas at a predetermined angle. The instrument does not probe forward into the skin, but gently touches the patient when the adjustment is made. Most patients when adjusted with the AO instrument for the first time are amazed that such a light procedure (that can hardly be felt at all) can have such dramatic effects.

A child getting his atlas adjusted on the Atlas Orthogonal Percussion Instrument.

Children and infants, because they have not had to go through years of misaligned and crooked spines, usually hold their adjustments longer and need fewer treatments. For a typical infant, a four-week treatment period consisting of eight to ten visits would be recommended in most cases. However, each case is treated individually and some may need more care depending on the severity of the misalignment. Periodic checkups following the initial care plan are recommended as in any other health care program.

Dr. Wehrenberg's motivation to investigate Sudden Infant Death Syndrome was prompted by the death of his infant brother to SIDS in 1969.

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