After graduating from Palmer School of Chiropractic Dr. William G. Blair began developing his own unique method for correcting cervical subluxations in 1949. It was not until 1961 that Dr. Blair began teaching his technique to other chiropractors.
The anatomy of the spine consists of three primary sections; the cervical spine, the thoracic spine and the lumbar spine. The cervical spine is the section which is commonly referred to as “the neck” and contains 7 vertebrae. The spine carries the weight responsibility of supporting the head along with the nervous system. This mean the spine is essential for aiding in the body’s movement and sensation. The first two cervical vertebrae are known as the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). These two vertebrae are the main focus of the Blair Upper Cervical Technique in chiropractic medicine, though Blair himself would adjust down to C4, most practitioners of the Blair Technique do not go below C2 today.
Because of the shape of these two vertebrae they are susceptible to becoming misaligned easily. When they are misaligned it can lead to nearly debilitating outcomes, like scoliosis. Many misalignments in this region of the cervical spine will cause interference with the brainstem and spinal cord as these structures exit the base of the skull into the spinal canal.
The Blair Upper Cervical Technique uses the sciences of physics and mathematics to analyze and adjust any misalignment. This makes the technique unique to each patient and much lighter than traditional adjustments. Utilizing these resources also allows the adjustment to be as precise and effective as possible. Patients find that their adjustments last longer and require less visits for readjustments.
Patients who experience the best outcomes are those seeking relief of migraines, headaches, vertigo, and seizures. However, patients with a variety of ailments have seen benefits with upper cervical adjustments, including torticollis in babies. This is because as the body becomes more aligned and balanced, as in the cervical spine, it is then more able to heal and repair itself as the nervous system begins to function at a higher capacity.