If you suffer from back pain, having to sit in a car while on a long cross country trip might be a challenge. Below are some things you can do to ease the pain and make your journey more comfortable.
Empty Your Pockets
Before you start the engine you should remove your phone, wallet and other items from your pockets. Sitting for long periods with bulky items in your pocket can cause your spine to become misaligned, which will increase the pressure on the muscles in your back.
Adjust Your Seat
You should adjust your seat so you do not have to over reach for the steering wheel. If your seat is too far back, every time you have to turn the steering wheel, you will place additional stress on your neck, spine, wrist and shoulders. You should try to ensure that your back is properly aligned with the seat. To do this, sit straight and ensure that the knees are a little higher than the hips and try to keep your head level so you are not looking up or down. You could consider investing in specialist driving cushions which will help you to maintain the proper posture.
Regular Breaks
If you are going to be on the road for some time, you should plan regular breaks so you can stretch your legs. The spine is supposed to be mobile. Sitting still will cause the muscles in your back to stiffen, which can leads to spasms, aches and pains. To combat this, you can carry out a simple stretch by standing with your feet a hip width apart. Place your hands on your hips and then slowly bend your body to the left and then the right. Between rest stops, you should occasionally change your position slightly in your seat and wiggle your toes. This will help to keep blood circulating to your back and the lower half of your body.
Share the Driving
If possible, you should arrange to share the driving with someone else. Because you use your feet to control the pedals, it is difficult to properly support your back when driving. Sitting in the passenger seat will allow you to maintain a good posture by placing both feet firmly on the floor.
Back pain doesn't have to limit your travel plans. If you take a few precautions, you will be able to drive without suffering too much discomfort. If you are experiencing back pain, it is always best to seek medical advice.
Share9 May 2016
I've had so many back pain issues over the years. I think it's cost me thousands of dollars when you work out how much I've spent on useless devices that are supposed to help, medical appointments and all the time I've missed from either attending appointments or being in too much pain to go into work. It's also made horrible inroads into my social life by affecting how much I can participate in social events with friends and family. I want to make sure that I actually cure my back pain this time, rather than just treating the symptoms so I can really start living my life.