Do's and Don'ts: Protecting Your Upper Cervical Adjustment
Getting the most out of your care starts with a few simple habits before and after each visit. Following these guidelines helps protect your adjustment, supports your recovery, and moves you toward your best health. If you ever have questions about why we do things a certain way, please ask — the more you understand, the better we can work together.
Before Your Visit
Temperature Acclimation (Knee Chest, Blair, and Toggle-Recoil Patients)
When you arrive, please remove all jewelry from your neck area and fold down any turtleneck collar to expose your neck. Then allow 10 minutes to acclimate to the temperature in our waiting room before your scan.
This step is essential and cannot be skipped. Our scanning instrument is temperature-sensitive, and accurate readings are critical to determining whether you need an adjustment that day.
- If you need an adjustment: your visit will take about 30 minutes.
- If no adjustment is needed: your visit will take about 10 minutes.
What to Avoid Before Your Appointment
Our instruments measure brainstem and nerve function. Certain substances can alter those readings, so please follow these time guidelines:
- 4 hours before: No over-the-counter medications, pain relievers (such as Tylenol, Excedrin, or Advil), antibiotics, or antidepressants.
- 2 hours before: No caffeine, cigarettes, or chocolate. Do not use a heating pad on your neck or back.
- 30 minutes before: No sugar or candy.
If you've taken any of these — or any prescription medication — before your appointment, please let us know before we scan you so we can account for it.
After Your Adjustment
What to Avoid for at Least 24 Hours
Give your adjustment time to hold by steering clear of the following:
- Repetitive arm motions (sweeping, vacuuming, yard work, etc.)
- Bumps, jolts, and vibrations (riding a mower, operating heavy machinery, etc.)
- Overhead work — reaching up or looking up for extended periods
- Sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side
- Using large, thick, or fluffy pillows
Helpful Habits to Support Your Adjustment
- Keep your scheduled appointments and arrive on time. Your appointment schedule is designed to give you the fastest possible recovery. If you need to reschedule, please call us as soon as possible.
- Drink 8 glasses of water per day — spring, purified, or reverse osmosis water is preferred over tap water.
- Go for walks. Walking on even surfaces helps reinforce your adjustment and builds overall strength and stamina.
- Rest flat on your back for 10–20 minutes in the middle of the day with a pillow supporting your neck. This helps maintain your adjustment between visits.
- Sleep with a supportive, contoured pillow — either flat on your back or on your side.
- Tell us about any slips, falls, bumps, or injuries, no matter how minor they seem.
- Involve your family. When the people around you understand upper cervical care, they can offer better support throughout your recovery.
A Note on How Adjustments Work
Upper cervical adjustments are not designed to treat pain or symptoms directly. Their purpose is to remove interference so your body can activate its own natural healing process. As your body heals, symptoms tend to resolve on their own. This takes time — so be patient with the process.
Adjustments are also only given when our testing shows you need one. We base that decision on objective measurements, not on how you're feeling that day.
If any of these guidelines are difficult for you to follow, please let us know right away. We'd rather work through it together than have it become a barrier to your care.