If you love the phrase “road trip!” but hate the effect it has on your back, you’re not alone. Many people suffer from back pain when sitting in one spot for a long time, generally three or more hours. Unfortunately, road trips with the family or even long drives to business meetings out of state can be brutal on your spine – the foundation of your body. Don’t let back pain keep you from hopping in the car for that long trip with the fam. Instead, take the necessary steps to care for your back while on the road.
Before the Trip
If you’re prone to back pain while driving long distances, do what you can to prepare for the event by doing some simple stretches and exercises. In addition, go for some long walks, a bike ride or a swim to strengthen your lower back muscles as well as increase your endurance, advises the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. When packing up the car the day of your road trip, take a few moments to adjust the driver’s seat so it’s just the way you like it. You want plenty of lower back support and you want to position the height and distance from the steering wheel so you’re not straining.
During the Trip
You’ll be spending a lot of time in the car so you should make sure you’re sitting correctly. Yes, there is a correct way to sit! To protect your back, make sure you sit straight up rather than reclined back or jutting forward. Put down the armrests in case you need them. Adjust your belt buckle comfortably so you don’t have to twist and turn during the drive to untangle it. Knees should be level with or slightly higher than the hips. Take frequent breaks – hit up a rest stop or grab a coffee – anything that allows you to stretch your lower back and your legs. Spine-Health recommends rolling up a towel and placing it between your lower back and the seat for additional support if you are uncomfortable. Make sure your wallet or phone is not in your back pocket. Sitting on these items can throw your posture off kilter and result in more pain later. If all else fails and the pain starts to set in, take some over-the-counter pain medication such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen, which can all help with not just the pain but with inflammation too. It’s not safe for you to take your prescription pain meds when driving, so leave those behind if you can. If you’re not driving and you’re in the passenger seat or back seat, try to rest and take a nap.
Solutions
If you have a chronic bad back, there are a number of treatments available to you so you can enjoy life again without back pain. It’s important to visit with your doctor, who can evaluate you and refer you to a specialist. You may be a candidate for affordable alternatives to back surgery that include non-invasive actions like laser surgery to fix anything from slipped discs to osteoarthritis. Then, the next time you face a long road trip in the car, you won’t cringe just thinking about the pain you’ll be in afterwards.
This article was contributed on behalf of Laser Health Spa, your number one choice when looking for great alternatives to back surgery. Check out their website at www.laserhealthspa.net for more information!
