It sometimes helps to practice handling your brace while positioned in front of a mirror. Or, the other person can video you, so that you can see what you are doing right or wrong.
Place your head flat on the bed without using a pillow under it. As you are moving, don’t bend your neck in any direction. Watch to make sure that you aren’t leaning forward.
It’s very tempting to move around while in this sitting position. But, it could hurt your neck. Keeping your chin level will help minimize your movements.
Positioning the top of the brace based on your chin helps to make sure that the device is centered and not slanted to the side. If the location of the brace against your neck and chin doesn’t feel right, pull it back and try again.
If you don’t remember exactly how tight each strap was pulled, give it your best guess. You can always lay back down and readjust the brace if you need to.
Wearing a brace for longer than suggested can actually cause your neck muscles to stiffen and atrophy. Not wearing your brace enough can further irritate any injuries and slow down your recovery process.
Special neck support pillows are available at medical supply or sleep stores. You may need to experiment with various sleeping positions and pillow options before finding what works for you.
Be patient with yourself when mastering eating and drinking with your brace. You may have a few accidents at first, but you’ll figure it out with time.
Have a friend assist you in shaving. They’ll be able to maneuver around your neck better and help hold your head still.
This is why it is important to have at least 2 sets of pads for your brace. If you need to clean the outside of your brace, simply wipe it down with a slightly damp cotton cloth. It will air dry quite quickly.
