Final answer:
To raise the client's head properly during shampooing, gently lift and support the neck and base of the skull while cradling the head to provide comfort and safety.
Step-by-step explanation:
When shampooing the back of the head, it's important to raise the client's head properly to ensure both their comfort and safety. The proper way to raise the client's head is to gently lift, supporting the neck and base of the skull. If the client is lying back in a shampoo bowl or sink, you should cradle the head in your hands or with a towel for support, lifting slightly at the neck to help keep their head back and prevent it from uncomfortably falling forward or straining the neck muscles.
Considering the anatomy of the neck, the atlanto-occipital joint allows for the nodding motion of the head, and the muscles at the back of the neck exert force to keep the head erect. This understanding can guide proper support during the shampooing process, ensuring the neck muscles are not overstrained, as they can become when someone falls asleep sitting up and the head falls forward due to gravity acting on the center of mass of the head.