Listening to relaxation CDs and/or watching a favorite movie may help with relaxation. Sleeping and relaxing in the halo will become easier over time.

It may take some time to get used to sleeping in the halo, and your patient will require assistance with rolling in the bed.

Nighttime suggestions include

• Sleeping in a reclining chair lying on the back with a small pillow or foam wedge.
• Eventually one may move onto sleeping in a side-lying position or onto the stomach.

When getting up it is important to NOT sit upright and bent at the waist. This places a great amount of stress on the entire brace.

Instead, roll onto your side at the edge of the bed.

Bend the legs up from the waist.

Drop the legs off the edge of the bed, pushing sideways with the elbow and hand at the same time to elevate to a sitting position.

Click here to see a demonstration of how to sit up.

Someone should sleep in the same room as the person with the halo, or use an audio monitor to prevent issues like choking.