New Research Uncovers High Prevalence of Styloid Elongation and Its Impact on Atlas Subluxation
Originally published: 2025-04-29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 2025
Atlanta, GA
Sherman College of Chiropractic researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of chiropractic care, shedding light on the critical relationship between styloid elongation and atlas subluxation. The study, titled “Prevalence of Styloid Elongation – Stylohyoid Calcification in Relation to the Atlas Transverse Process” by Alan Brewster, BS, DC, ACP, Christine Theodossis, BS, DC, DCCJP, and Laura Orndorff, BS, DC, RT(R), was published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research.
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The study found that 84.3% of chiropractic patients exhibited styloid elongation – stylohyoid calcification (SESC) extending to the level of the C1 transverse process (TP). This finding challenges the traditional definition of styloid elongation based solely on length and highlights the need for evaluating its proximity to the atlas. Compression of neurological and vascular structures by both an elongated styloid and atlas subluxation can compromise nerve function, contributing to a range of health issues.
The study examined the prevalence of SESC extending to the level of the C1 transverse process (TP) using 200 cervical nasium radiographs from a chiropractic clinic. Traditionally, a styloid process is classified as elongated if it exceeds 30mm in length, but this study proposed a more clinically relevant evaluation based on proximity to the C1 TP. Results showed that 84.3% of patients had SESC extending to the level of the C1 TP, with a higher prevalence in males (94.4%) compared to females (75.9%). The findings suggest that proximity to the C1 TP may be a more accurate criterion for diagnosing and managing compression-related dysfunction. This novel evaluation method underscores the importance of specificity and precise radiographic imaging in chiropractic care, particularly in managing neurological and vascular compromise related to subluxations.
"The nervous system controls and coordinates all functions of the body, and structural shifts in the spine can obstruct the nerves and interfere with their function," said lead author Dr. Alan Brewster. "These structural shifts, called vertebral subluxations, are what chiropractors correct to improve nerve supply and function. Identifying the presence of an elongated styloid at the level of the atlas is essential for accurate evaluation and correction."
Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH, editor of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, emphasized the significance of this research for the chiropractic profession:
“This study raises critical questions about the relationship between styloid elongation, atlas subluxation, and nerve function. If specificity in chiropractic care doesn’t matter, we need to know that. But if it does, research like this is essential to guiding the future of chiropractic analysis and care.”
Sherman College’s team, led by Dr. Brewster, is currently the only research group exploring the clinical significance of styloid elongation in relation to atlas subluxation. Their work highlights the need for detailed radiographic analysis and precise chiropractic adjustments to address the complex interplay between the styloid process and the atlas.
For more information, contact:
Dr. Matthew McCoy, DC, MPH
Editor, Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research
drmatthewmccoy@gmail.com
