“Why Your Head Hurts, and Why It Might Not Have To”

A Headache Tale from the Neck Up

Let’s be honest—when it comes to headaches, most people do one of three things: power through, pop a pill, or blame it on their in-laws (which, depending on the situation, might not be entirely wrong).

But seriously—what if those headaches that feel so “normal” actually aren’t normal at all? And what if there’s a reason that hasn’t been checked yet—one that literally starts at the top?

My Headache Story (Spoiler: It Has a Happy Ending)

Growing up, I figured headaches were just a part of life—like brushing your teeth or pretending to like kale. I had them almost daily for as long as I can remember. We’re talking childhood through early adulthood—headaches that showed up like clockwork.

I did what anyone else would do: I went to my primary doctor. I tried physical therapy. I even tried general chiropractic. Everyone had a theory, but none had a solution. Eventually, I was told, “Maybe it’s just genetic.” (Translation: “We don’t know either, so here’s a prescription.”)

And so, for about 25 years, I lived with it. Pills became the daily routine.

Then I discovered the Blair Upper Cervical Technique.

A few quick images and a couple of gentle, precise adjustments later… my headaches were gone. Just like that. Like the twist ending of a Netflix series, but better because it was real. I haven’t looked back since—except to help others avoid going through what I did.

So Why Do We Even Get Headaches?

Here’s the thing: headaches aren’t just in your head (yes, that was a dad joke, and I regret nothing).

A lot of them actually start in the neck—specifically the upper cervical spine. That’s the area right where your head meets your neck, and it’s prime real estate for problems.

When those top two bones (called the atlas and axis) shift even slightly out of alignment, it can interfere with blood flow, put pressure on nerves, and disrupt communication between your brain and body. Your head feels the effects—but the problem? It started lower down.

Think of it like a kink in a garden hose. You don’t need to fix the flower—you need to fix the hose. In many cases, that’s exactly what Blair upper cervical chiropractors do: we find the kink, gently correct it, and let the body do what it was designed to do—heal.

But How Does the Neck Even Get Misaligned?

Great question. And you might be surprised at the answer.

In my case? I believe it happened at birth. I was born face-first (which probably explains a few things). That kind of birth trauma can put serious stress on a newborn’s neck and set the stage for issues down the road.

Unfortunately, nobody checked my upper cervical alignment as a baby. If they had, maybe I wouldn’t have spent over two decades popping ibuprofen like it was candy.

The truth is, even seemingly minor events—birth, falls, car accidents, sports injuries, or even poor posture from our beloved smartphones—can cause the top of the neck to misalign. And if that’s the root cause, no amount of massage, medication, or stretching is going to fix it. You’ve got to address the source.

So What’s Different About Blair Upper Cervical Care?

Blair isn’t your typical “crack and go” chiropractic. We don’t twist or yank. Instead, we use specialized imaging to see exactly how your upper cervical spine is misaligned (because everyone is a little different), and then apply a precise and gentle adjustment tailored just for you.

It’s like lock and key—if you know how the lock is shaped, you can make the perfect key. And once you unlock that interference? The results can be life-changing.

(Also, we don’t crack your neck like a bad action movie. So there’s that.)

The Takeaway

If you’re dealing with chronic headaches, especially the kind that seem to have no cause and no cure, please don’t give up. There might be a simple explanation that no one’s checked yet—because most people don’t think to look at the top of the neck.

I know what it’s like to feel hopeless, and I also know what it’s like to finally feel free. And now, I get to help others find that same relief.

So if your head keeps hurting, maybe the answer’s a little lower than you think. And if your neck could talk, it might just be saying, “Hey, I’ve been trying to get your attention for years!”

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