I have been asked this questions countless times. Here are some suggestions, and do’s and don’ts you can use to help yourself feel better in between your adjustments.
DO:
Sleep on a firm mattress. It supports the spine and keeps the structure supported during sleep.
Sit up straight! If you sit at a computer, make sure you sit back in the chair with your back well supported and scoot the chair forward so that you can sit up straight with your back supported. Look straight at the computer screen and if you have to turn your head to look at paper, etc turn your body in the chair rather than your head. This saves the neck. Try to keep your joints at 90-degree angles; the knees, hips, and elbows. You can rest your mousing wrist on a support or just get a washcloth and roll it up and rest your wrist on it. This will help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.
Use a stool to rest one foot on if you have to stand for long periods. This takes the pressure off the low back. Alternate feet when one gets tired.
DON’T:
Sit with your legs crossed for any length of time.
Sleep with your back twisted. Your back should be at a 90-degree angle when you sleep on your side. You can use pillows to take the pressure off the shoulders. And if you are sleeping on your back, put a small pillow under you knees to take the pressure off the low back. In time you will get used to the pillows and just move them around and go back to sleep.
EVER sleep on your stomach. It puts too much pressure on the back and neck and you will never hold your adjustments for very long if you do.
Lift something too heavy. Get help.
