The Blair chiropractic technique is a specific system of analyzing and adjusting the upper cervical vertebrae of the spinal column. These vertebrae can misalign in such a way as to interfere with the brain stem and spinal cord as they exit through the floor of the skull and into the neural canal. Special attention is given to the first two cervical vertebrae, the atlas and axis, as they are the most freely moveable vertebrae in the spinal column and the ones most commonly misaligned.
Why the upper cervical spine?
Because of the unique structure of the upper neck (freely movable, and no discs), it is the weakest part of the spine. Trauma to any part of the spine can create misalignment to the upper cervical spine. Misalignment in this area can affects the brain stem.
The motor nerves control the muscles. The sensory nerves carry pain, temperature and touch information to the brain. The autonomic nerves control the function of the organs. These nerves travel through the brain stem and a subluxation can affect any of these nerves.
By altering the motor nerves supplying the postural muscles in the spine, an upper cervical subluxation can alter spinal alignment and create misalignments anywhere else in the spine. This altered posture and movement can create localized spinal pain, radiating spinal pain(eg. sciatica) and over time cause damage to the spinal joints.
Most chiropractors use a type of full spine technique and adjust anywhere there is spinal misalignment. An upper cervical chiropractor recognizes that many misalignments in the spine are actually the body's attempt to adapt to the upper cervical subluxation.
