Patient Resources

1. Sit tall or stand with your weight balanced evenly.
2. Lower your chin toward your chest, roll toward one shoulder, and pause for 5 seconds.
3. Return through center and repeat toward the other shoulder.
4. Complete three slow circles in each direction without lifting your shoulders.

1. Start on hands and knees with shoulders above hands.
2. Shift forward onto your arms, gently round the shoulders, and let the low back settle for 5 seconds.
3. Rock back toward your heels with arms long and hold another 5 seconds.
4. Keep your gaze down so the neck stays in line with the spine.

1. Sit on the floor with both legs forward, then cross one leg over the other.
2. Turn toward the bent knee and place one hand behind you for support.
3. Use the opposite arm against the bent thigh to deepen the turn gently.
4. Look over the shoulder, hold 30 seconds, return to center, and switch sides.

1. Lie on your back with your spine resting evenly on the floor.
2. Bring one knee toward the chest and hold the knee or shin.
3. Brace your abdomen, keep the back grounded, and hold for 5 seconds.
4. Switch legs, then draw both knees in together to complete the sequence.

1. Begin on hands and knees with shoulders and hips stacked over the joints below.
2. Brace your abdomen and extend one arm to shoulder height.
3. Reach the opposite leg straight back, keeping shoulders and pelvis level.
4. Hold 15 seconds, return slowly, and change sides.

1. Lie face down and place forearms on the floor with elbows under shoulders.
2. Brace the abdomen and gluteal muscles, then lift hips and knees.
3. Hold a straight line from shoulders through heels for up to 30 seconds; use the knees for support if needed.
4. Lower with control and rest 30 seconds before repeating.

1. Lie on your back with knees bent, feet flat, and arms at your sides.
2. Tighten the abdomen and gluteal muscles.
3. Lift the pelvis until shoulders, hips, and knees form one line.
4. Hold 15 seconds, then lower slowly without tensing the neck.

1. Lie on your back with knees bent and arms relaxed at your sides.
2. Draw the abdominal wall inward while flattening the low back gently toward the floor.
3. Keep breathing while you hold the contraction for 15 seconds.
4. Release fully before the next repetition.

1. Walk tall with the chest open and shoulders relaxed back.
2. Draw the head gently backward until the ears align over the shoulders.
3. Keep the eyes level and avoid tipping the chin up or down.
4. Reset this position whenever the head begins to drift forward.

1. Lie on your back on a firm, comfortable surface.
2. Use the thinnest pillow that remains comfortable, or no pillow if appropriate.
3. Allow the head to settle back so the ears move toward alignment with shoulders and hips.
4. Relax and monitor whether symptoms ease or centralize.

1. Lie on your back with the head resting in neutral.
2. Place fingertips lightly on the chin.
3. Guide the chin downward as the head presses gently into the surface.
4. Release, reassess symptoms, and stop if pain moves farther from the neck or worsens.

1. Sit or stand tall with the face pointing straight ahead.
2. Place fingertips on the chin and glide the head directly backward without tilting.
3. Hold the end position for 1–2 seconds.
4. Return to neutral and continue only if symptoms improve, centralize, or remain stable.

1. Sit with the back supported and head neutral.
2. Place one hand across the forehead.
3. Press the head forward while the hand prevents any visible movement.
4. Hold 10 seconds, relax, and repeat.

1. Sit supported with the head balanced in neutral.
2. Place a hand behind the head.
3. Press backward while the hand keeps the head still.
4. Hold 10 seconds, relax completely, and repeat.

1. Maintain a neutral head position.
2. Place one hand against the side of the head above the ear.
3. Press sideways while the hand blocks motion.
4. Hold 10 seconds, relax, and repeat on both sides.

1. Stand tall with arms at the sides and the head neutral.
2. Lift the chest gently without arching the low back.
3. Draw both shoulder blades backward and slightly downward.
4. Hold 10 seconds at first, progressing toward 30 seconds.

• Take pain medication only as directed, and do not combine it with alcohol or other sedating medicines unless your clinician approves.
• Prevent constipation early with hydration, walking, and the stool-softener or bowel regimen recommended at discharge.

• Keep the surgical dressing in place for the first 2 days unless your discharge paperwork says otherwise.
• After the dressing is removed, shower only as directed; let water run gently over the incision and pat it dry. Do not soak or submerge it.
• Call for spreading redness, increasing warmth or swelling, drainage, fever, the wound opening, or worsening pain around the incision.
• Sutures or staples are removed only when instructed at follow-up; do not remove them yourself.

• Do not lift more than 10–15 pounds.
• Avoid bending, lifting, and twisting for 6 weeks unless Dr. Choi gives you different instructions.
• Walk as much as you comfortably can, using shorter, more frequent walks to build endurance.
• Increase activity gradually and stop before fatigue affects your balance or form.

• Do not drive while taking opioid pain medicine, muscle relaxants, or any medication that makes you drowsy.
• Wait until you can sit comfortably, turn enough to check traffic, and react quickly without hesitation.
• Ease back in with a short, familiar route before longer drives.

Your first post-operative visit is typically scheduled 2–3 weeks after surgery. Bring any questions, medication concerns, and requested imaging or paperwork to that appointment.

Call (972) 817-7450 with questions about your recovery, medications, wound, activity restrictions, brace, or follow-up plan.