How Blair Upper Cervical
Works?

How does a Blair Upper Cervical adjustment work?

There are a few ways that a Blair upper cervical adjustment is different from a general spinal manipulation.

• Precision and Force. Remember those highly specialised x-rays where we measured the misalignments in your neck to within half a degree? They showed us the exact angle that we need in order to deliver your adjustment with the least amount of force but with the greatest positive effect.
  It’s like opening a locked door: if the key fits, the lock opens with ease. When your adjustment is custom-fit for your bone structure, the misalignment corrects with ease. The Blair adjustment may look a little dramatic, but the amount of force in an adjustment is exceptionally light: approximately the pressure you use to feel your pulse.
• Neutral Head, No Cracking. Everything about a Blair upper cervical adjustment - from the table height (very low) to the way you lie on the table to the specialised headpiece - is designed to provide the quickest, lightest and most effective adjustment possible.
  The adjustment is performed in a side lying position, which keeps your neck in a neutral position. That way, the force of the correction allows the vertebra to realign within its normal range of motion without needing to twist or crack anything.

Here’s what happens with a Blair upper cervical adjustment:

• You lie on your side with your bottom arm wrapped around your ribs and with your top arm straight down your side.
• Your bottom shoulder rests on a soft pad beneath you, and your head rests on a firm but comfortable headpiece.

The idea is for you to be as relaxed as possible, like falling asleep. If you are uncomfortable or in the wrong position, your neck muscles will automatically tense, which makes the adjustment less effective.

• The specialised headpiece on the table rises about 5mm just before the adjustment. When it releases, it will produce a tiny vibration that allows the vertebra to realign with less effort.
• The final step is the adjustment itself. The adjustment happens where I use the tip of my hand to direct a three-dimensional force - equal to the amount of pressure you use to feel your pulse - at the exact angle that we measured from your x-rays that will “unlock” the subluxated vertebra, and take the pressure off of your brainstem so that your central nervous system will be able to begin the healing process.

Although the headpiece makes a bit of noise when it releases, that is the only sound that people hear with the adjustment. In fact, the vibration is commonly the only thing that people feel when they adjustment happens. that happens when the headpiece releases, most people don't actually feel the adjustment at all and wonder if I've actually done anything.

However, they quickly discover that even the lightest of forces - specifically applied - makes a massive positive difference throughout their bodies!.What Happens after the Adjustment?

I strongly advise that you have a 15 minute lie-down after you receive an adjustment.

As a bit of history, the BJ Palmer Chiropractic Clinic (BJPCC, 1934-1960) was the premier upper cervical health centre in the world. It was renown for taking care of "the worst of the worst of the worst” cases. The clinic also staffed chiropractic and medical researchers to determine what procedures allowed their patients to get the best possible results.

One of the things that they discovered was that it is not the force of the external thrust that makes the adjustment. It’s what your body does with that force afterwards that makes the difference.

Once the vertebra is unlocked from its misaligned position, your central nervous system coordinates an “innate adjustment.” In other words, your own body uses muscles to “seat” or fine-tune the position of the vertebrae into its proper position after the initial adjustment.

However, your body requires the time and opportunity to do so. And the single factor that made the greatest difference was lying down post-adjustment. Even though walking is commonly recommended as a post-adjustment procedure, the downward force of gravity can prevent the innate adjustment from having the proper chance to settle, which means that your alignment may not be as stable as it otherwise could be.

For this reason, the BJ Palmer Chiropractic Clinic required a mandatory 2 hour post-adjustment rest … and 3 hours or more were preferred!

Of course, this is not practical for most people who attend a normal chiropractic practice. Therefore, the BJPCC recommended for all upper cervical practitioners to have their patients lie-down for at least 15 minutes post-adjustment, which was usually sufficient for things to settle.

o that you can get the best possible results from your care, we have a designated room in our practice with reclining chairs and supportive neck cushions where you can have a post-adjustment rest. Although we won't force you to do so, we do strongly advise you do lie down for 15 minutes before resuming your normal daily activities

My one rule is that you do not use your phone or any mobile device when in the resting room. Eye movements change the activity of the muscles that support your upper neck and can interfere with the ability of your adjustment to settle. For this reason, I also recommend that you close your eyes when you are resting.

I also advocate being “neck conscious” for the 24 hours following any adjustment. What this means is being careful not to quickly turn your head. It also means being cautious to limit criss-cross movements - e.g., cooking, cleaning, house chores, texting, typing and reading - which are more likely to cause your alignment to slip.

I do not recommend that you wear a cervical collar. And yes, you are allowed to move your head. I simply ask you to be mindful, is all.

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