• Do not drive with your seat fully reclined, this will cause you to strain your neck when bending forward to see.
• Also, do not accelerate or brake quickly, this will whiplash your neck.
• Do not ride in boats or amusement rides that jar your head.
• Do not slump in a chair when reading or watching TV.
• Do not look directly overhead, this puts a tremendous strain on your neck.
• Do not lie on your stomach with your head propped up in your hands.
• Do not reach or strain for something overhead. Keep your arms at shoulder level or below.
• Do not bend backward to get your hair washed or rinsed at the hairdressers, always bend forward.
• Do not hold a telephone receiver to your ear with your shoulder.
• Do not tilt your head too far upward when shaving.
• Do not drink from water bottles or cans as your head tilts too far backward, use a wide mouth glass or straw.
• Do not sleep on your stomach, always on your back or side.
• Avoid reading in bed, neither propped up on your elbows or flat on your back.
• Do not sleep on more than one pillow.. even for a quick nap.
• Do not sleep on a foam rubber pillow, choose instead a feather pillow, or contour pillow. Also, do not place any pillow under your shoulders, just your head and neck, support primarily your neck region.
• Do not turn over in bed by using your head as a pivot. (pushing up on your back of your head then turning your body.)
• Do not fall asleep in a sitting position. Like on an airplane or in church. This will cause your head to bob and and whiplash your neck.
• Do not lie on the couch with your head on the armrest.
• Do not place your hands under your head while lying down; this bends the head forward stretching the muscles and misaligning the vertebrae.
• Do not sit on a desk with your chin resting in your hands… like sleeping at work.
• Do not spend long hours with your head bent forward such as reading, working at a desk or working on a lap top. Try to keep your work at eye level.
• Do not twist sideways suddenly, like when backing an automobile. Turn your head slowly.
• NEVER CRACK YOUR NECK OR BACK!!

If for any reason, you feel that you have “knocked your atlas out”…book a 20 minute follow up appointment immediately to insure proper healing and avoid a long-term injury.