Recovery Homework

Woman studying her homework from a chiropractor in Cranston, RI.

This page is here so you don’t have to remember everything from your visit.

Do only what we discussed for you.

If you’re unsure what applies, skip it and ask at your next visit.

Recommended Activities

Chin-Up Habit

  • What: Keep your eyes level when walking, lifting, or rising from sitting to standing.

  • Why: Helps prevent head-forward posture and slouching.

  • When: Often. Repeat until it’s a habit.

A man demonstrating the proper way to rise from a seated to standing position in his chiropractor's office in Cranston, RI.

Water

  • What: Drink water steadily through the day.

  • Why: Dehydration can make muscles and joints more irritable.

  • When: Daily. Use this water calculator to estimate your target.

Walking

  • What: Walk daily, easy pace.

  • Why: Walking keeps the back from tightening up and helps symptoms settle.

  • When:

    • Start with: 5 to 10 minutes once per day.

    • If that’s too much: 2 minutes once per day.

    • If that goes well for a few days: add 1–2 minutes.

    • Goal: 15 to 45 minutes per day (as tolerated).

    • If you feel worse afterward, back off and tell us

A woman demonstrating a proper walking poster in her chiropractor's office in Cranston, RI.

Activities to Avoid

These positions add stress to the spine and can push you toward turtle-neck and hunchback posture:

  • Slouching

  • Long couch time

  • Texting with your head down

  • Bending and twisting together

Other common aggravators:

  • Leaning towards computer screens

  • Sitting with knees higher than hips

  • Lifting with your head down

Comparison of proper and improper lifting techniques at a chiropractor's office in Cranston, RI. The correct method shows a person bending at the knees while lifting a box, while the improper method shows a person bending at the waist.

Rule: Avoid long stretches in any one position. Reset often: eyes level, chin up, stand and walk for 60 seconds.

Heat or ice?

  • These are short-term comfort tools. Your adjustments should be helping in this area.

  • Use them only if you need them to get through the day.

  • If you feel worse afterward, stop and tell us.