Translation:
Angela Berg, MSc
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KISS
Syndrome
The
head joint
Atlas
- the first cervical vertebra, C1
Axis - the second
cervical vertebra, C2
The
atlas and the axis, the uppermost two cervical vertebrae, differ
in their construction from the other cervical vertebrae. They are part of the
flexible joint which connects the skull and the spine, and which is responsible
for nodding and turning movements of the head.
The atlas, on which
the head rests, has no vertebral body. It is named after the Greek god Atlas who,
according to legend, carried the columns of the sky. The axis forms the pivot
upon which the atlas rotates.
The
atlas, the axis, the base of the skull and the surrounding soft parts (muscles,
nerves, ligaments) together comprise the head joint.
This area represents
an important reflex centre (the sixth sense organ), which is involved in spatial
awareness and controls muscle tone in the body's postural muscles.
There
are close connections between receptors in this area and certain parts of the
brain (centres of sight, hearing and balance). This reflex centre is also responsible
for sensing the position of the head relative to the body.
In
brief, functions associated with the head joint region include:
- inducing
sleep (via relaxation of the joint)
- contribution
to movement and balance
- a
connection with the vegetative (autonomic) centres of the brain
- a
connection with the central processing areas of the brain.
What
is KISS syndrome?
KISS
(Kinematic Imbalances due to Suboccipital Strain)
is not an “illness” as such, but instead a problem of motor control. Primary consequences
of this are
- distorted
neck
- deflection
of the spine
- facial
asymmetry and
- asymmetrical
use of the extremities (arms and legs) .
Possible
causes
- long
and difficult births, needing forceps or a Ventouse suction cup
- emergency
Caesarean section
- constrained
intrauterine position
- breech
presentation
- twin
birth
- little
intrauterine space
- infections
- planned Caesarian
sections
- Kristeller's
procedure during the birth
- very
fast birth
- birthweight
over 4000g (8lb 13oz)
- there
also seems to be an element of familial tendency toward KISS syndrome
These
are possible ways in which the delicate head joint could be pushed out of alignment,
resulting in a physical asymmetry. This used to be called Atlas blockage, and
was first described in 1953 by Dr. Gottfried Gutmann.
Around 8% of the total
population is probably affected. Dr. Lutz Erik Koch estimates that out of 10%
of people needing therapy, in fact less than 1% ever receives treatment.
He also believes that only every second paediatrician is aware of KISS syndrome.
Parents are often appeased with the words “he/she will grow out of it”. And it
does really seem as if the neck distortion disappears after a while, even without
treatment (either spontaneously, or with physiotherapy).
In reality, the
baby learns how to compensate for its distorted position and to minimize associated
pain. Some pull themselves up or start to walk particularly early, often to the
joy of their parents. In reality they are making instinctive attempts to find
a painless position. Particularly pronounced cases are known as a “wry neck”.
In adult
life, untreated patients can suffer from long-term consequences:
- problems
with the cervical spine
- whiplash
- chronic back
pain
- slipped
disc
- tinnitus
(ringing in the ears)
- migraines
- problems with
balance
- problems
with movement
- dizziness
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