Simple Self-Analysis of Your C0-C1 Occiput Atlas

Learn to feel your craniocervical axis and detect a potential imbalance.

Why should you be interested in C0-C1?

It's the junction between the occiput (the back of the skull) and the atlas (the first cervical vertebra).

It plays a fundamental role in:

overall posture,

pelvic balance,

eye pressure,

migraines,

and even breathing.

A misalignment here, even a subtle one, can create a domino effect throughout the body.

How to easily self-analyze?

Sit down in a quiet place, preferably lying on your back or sitting against a wall.

Step 1 – Place your hands.

Place both thumbs under the base of your skull, where it meets the nape of your neck.

Do this gently, without forcing.

You should feel a rounded bony surface: this is the occiput.

Step 2 – Slide down slightly

Go down a few millimeters.

You should feel two small bumps on each side: these are the lateral masses of C1.

Step 3 – Compare

Does it feel the same on the right and left?

Is one side more sunken? More rounded? More tense?

Slowly rotate and tilt your head; do you feel any discomfort or blockage on one side?

👁‍🗨 What this may mean

A noticeable imbalance may reflect a postural adaptation (previous shock, stress, fall, etc.).

Don't panic: this doesn't mean you're "broken," but that your body has found a compensatory balance.

What to do?

First: being aware of it is 30% of the way there.

If you experience marked tension or recurring symptoms (migraines, dizziness, visual fatigue, clenched jaw, etc.), you can:

apply gentle heat to the back of your neck,

perform a head or occipital self-massage,

consult a trained manual therapist (gentle, no over-the-top crunches).

What your body is saying

Learning to listen to your body's subtle messages means getting off autopilot.

You become an active participant in your health, without fear or dependency.

Thx for reading, any personal questions are welcome

Cedric Dehlinger Physio