Think Like a Nerve: Upper Cervical Ecology

The upper cervical spine is mobile in everyone, more in some than others. Whether that mobility becomes dysfunction depends largely on how nimbly muscular and autonomic feedback loops regulate it. This class surveys the region's mechanics and its nerves: the suboccipital and occipital nerves, the dura and the myodural bridge, vertebral dynamics, and the brainstem nuclei through which this region can shift motor tone, autonomic balance and pain. We assess in relation to meaningful tasks rather than range of motion alone, and review when a headache calls for referral. In practice, we palpate the C1–C3 transverse processes, observe how C1 rotates as the head moves into flexion and extension, and use whichever motion relieves that coupling to locate the part of the suboccipital musculature that is holding on.

Take this class on its own or as part of the discounted three-class series.