Holding Your Upper Cervical Adjustment
The main goal of Upper Cervical / Blair Chiropractic care is to keep your correction in place as long as possible. The longer your spine stays in alignment, the faster your body can heal and reverse the damage.
The lists below show the movements and activities to avoid during the first 24 hours after your adjustment, organized by your specific listing (the direction your vertebra has misaligned). Your doctor will tell you which listing applies to you.
Left-Side Listings
C1 ASL — Forward Left Atlas
Avoid:
- Tilting your head to the right
- Rotating your head far to the right
- Overhead work
- Lifting on your left side
C1 PIL — Backward Left Atlas
Avoid:
- Looking down excessively
- Looking down and to the right
- Lifting on your left side
- Reaching across your body to the right
Double Forward C1
Avoid:
- Overhead work
- Lunging your head forward (for example, leaning toward a computer screen, typing, or sitting too far back while driving)
- Using two pillows under your head
- Reading while lying in the bathtub
C2 ALS — Forward Left Axis
Avoid:
- Rotating your head to the right
- Tilting your head to the right
- Lifting on your left side
- Reaching forward or sideways to the left
- Looking or reaching back over your left shoulder
- Tucking your phone under your right ear
C2 PLI — Backward Left Axis
Avoid:
- Looking up and to the left
- Tilting your head to the right
- Holding things at arm's length
- Staying in bed once you're awake
C3 ALS — Forward Left C3
Avoid:
- Lying on your right side with a large pillow
- Looking up and back to the left
- Heavy lifting on your left side
C3 PLI — Backward Left C3
Avoid:
- Lying on your right side with a large pillow
- Looking up and back to the left
- Heavy lifting on your left side
C4 ALS — Forward Left C4
Avoid:
- Heavy two-sided lifting (for example, pushing a wheelbarrow, or carrying a child and groceries at the same time)
C4 PLI — Backward Left C4
Avoid:
- Reaching down and behind your body
- Carrying a heavy purse or bag on your left shoulder
C5 / C6 Left (less common)
Avoid:
- Heavy lifting on your left side
- Lying on your right side with your head propped up
- Sleeping on the couch or on your stomach
Right-Side Listings
C1 ASR — Forward Right Atlas
Avoid:
- Tilting your head to the left
- Rotating your head far to the left
- Overhead work
- Lifting on your right side
C1 PIR — Backward Right Atlas
Avoid:
- Looking down excessively
- Looking down and to the left
- Lifting on your right side
- Reaching across your body to the left
Double Backward C1 (less common)
Avoid:
- Heavy two-sided lifting (for example, carrying two grocery bags or pool chemicals)
- Lying on your stomach with your head propped up on both hands
- Falling asleep in a chair
C2 ARS — Forward Right Axis
Avoid:
- Rotating your head to the left
- Tilting your head to the left
- Lifting on your right side
- Reaching forward or sideways to the right
- Looking or reaching back over your right shoulder
- Tucking your phone under your left ear
C2 PRI — Backward Right Axis
Avoid:
- Looking up and to the right
- Tilting your head to the left
- Holding things at arm's length
- Staying in bed once you're awake
C3 ARS — Forward Right C3
Avoid:
- Lifting or carrying a bag on your right side
- Scrubbing with your right arm
- Reaching overhead with your right arm
C3 PRI — Backward Right C3
Avoid:
- Lying on your left side with a large pillow
- Looking up and back to the right
- Heavy lifting on your right side
C4 ARS — Forward Right C4
Avoid:
- Heavy two-sided lifting (for example, pushing a wheelbarrow, or carrying a child and groceries at the same time)
C4 PRI — Backward Right C4
Avoid:
- Reaching down and behind your body
- Carrying a heavy purse or bag on your right shoulder
C5 / C6 Right (less common)
Avoid:
- Heavy lifting on your right side
- Lying on your left side with your head propped up
- Sleeping on the couch or on your stomach