When you think of cranial nerves, you probably imagine the “famous” ones – seeing, hearing, smelling. The red-carpet crowd. But the last four (IX through XII) don’t usually get that kind of fame. They’re more like the roadies at a rock concert. You might not notice them when everything’s working, but if they walk off the job, the whole show is a disaster.

And here’s the fun part, they all hang out near the brainstem and the top of your neck. Exactly where Blair upper cervical care focuses. Coincidence? I think not!

Cranial Nerve IX: Glossopharyngeal Nerve

That’s definitely a mouthful, but its job is straightforward: it helps you swallow, taste the back of your tongue, and keep you from choking. Oh, and it keeps an eye on your blood pressure too.

Think of it as the throat’s quality-control manager. If food starts going down the wrong pipe, this nerve is the one screaming, “Wrong way! Wrong way!”

When the upper neck is out of alignment, this nerve can get cranky, sometimes showing up as swallowing trouble or that annoying “lump in the throat” feeling.

Cranial Nerve X: Vagus Nerve

If your body had a “chill-out” button, this would be it. The vagus nerve runs from your brainstem through your chest and gut, keeping your heart, digestion, and breathing balanced.

If your nervous system were a car, the vagus nerve would be the brakes. Without it, you’re stuck with the gas pedal down, running on caffeine, stress, and pure chaos.

When the top vertebrae shift, they can throw this nerve off balance. Suddenly you’re dealing with stomach drama, a racing heartbeat, or stress that feels like it’s on overdrive. A Blair adjustment? That’s like giving your nervous system a much-needed spa day.

Cranial Nerve XI: Accessory Nerve

This one powers your shoulders and neck muscles, the ones you use to shrug “I don’t know,” roll your shoulders after a long meeting, or check for traffic when you’re late.

It’s kind of like the hinges on a door. If they’re squeaky or crooked, the whole thing feels stiff.

People with neck misalignments often notice tight traps and stiff necks. Sometimes the accessory nerve is the culprit. And let’s be honest, tight traps are only cute on bodybuilders, not when they’re giving you headaches.

Cranial Nerve XII: Hypoglossal Nerve

This nerve is your tongue’s boss. It tells it how to move so you can chew, swallow, talk, and even keep your airway open when you sleep.

If your tongue were an orchestra, this nerve would be the conductor, keeping everything in harmony. Without it, mealtime and conversation would be a lot messier (and a lot funnier for everyone else watching).

Because it’s right next to the upper cervical spine, any irritation here can make things trickier, like speech hiccups, chewing problems, or even snoring your spouse out of the bedroom.

Why Upper Cervical Care Matters

Cranial nerves IX–XII aren’t flashy, but they’re the everyday heroes. They let you breathe, swallow, digest, and talk without even thinking about it.

When the atlas (C1) or axis (C2) bones shift out of place, it’s like stepping on a garden hose coming out of your brainstem – the signal doesn’t flow right. Blair upper cervical care gently restores balance so these backstage heroes can keep the show running.

✅ Takeaway: You may not see them, but these cranial nerves are running the daily show. Keep your upper neck aligned, and you’ll breathe easier, swallow without drama, and keep life running on all cylinders—no roadies required.

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