Dr. Jeffrey Middleton, D.C., Board Certified Atlas Orthogonist
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- 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”.. immediately to insure proper healing and avoid a long-term injury.