Whether you’re taking a road trip or simply dealing with traffic on your commute, it’s not uncommon to wind up spending long stretches of time in your car. If you’re living with chronic back pain, this may be another daily task that’s become uncomfortable. Canadian patients who have traveled to the Spine Institute Northwest for minimally invasive spine surgery often note that driving had become difficult for them—and they wished they hadn’t waited so long to find relief.
Why can driving be such a pain in the back? Remaining in one position for long periods of time can put a significant strain on the muscles in your back as well as your extremities. Without moving or stretching, pain often has the chance to build up. Further, if you’re frustrated by traffic or simply tense because you’re mentally ticking through your to-do list, chances are that you are tensing up your muscles without consciously realizing it. Tightly gripping the wheel or hunching your shoulders can trigger back pain.
All of that said, driving isn’t just a fact of life—it can also be fun. And it’s one part of your life that you don’t need to let pain claim. If you’re suffering from chronic back pain, call the Spine Institute Northwest at 888-712-0318 to learn about the treatment options that have helped Canadians get back their lives. In the meantime, here are some tips to make your drive more comfortable:
Make Adjustments
Don’t start your trip until you’ve found a way to be comfortable in the car. If you’re driving, make sure that your seat is elevated to the correct height—your feet should be able to comfortably reach the pedals without stretching. Similarly, your chest should be about a foot away from the steering wheel but directly in front of it, allowing your arms to maintain a relaxed resting position with your elbows slightly bent. Make sure the seat is upright enough that you do not have to lean forward or crane your neck while driving.
Keep Moving
If you’re on a long trip, take pit stops to give yourself time to move around and stretch. If it’s a shorter drive, you can stretch your arms when you are waiting at traffic lights (of course, not so much that you get distracted!). If you’re the passenger, adjust the height or angle of your seat so you can regularly move and adjust your back, neck, arms, and legs.
Stay Relaxed
To avoid tensing your muscles, try to decrease any mental stress. If you’re driving, go with the flow of traffic, stick to the speed limit, and even if someone cuts you off, don’t get aggressive. It’s also a good idea to take your mind off the tedium of the road by listening to music or an audiobook.
Warm Up
If you have seat warmers, you’ve got a built-in way to provide some relief for back pain. Though you normally only think of using them in winter, you can also turn them on for short periods in the warmer months to warm up the muscles in your lower back.
Pack Smart
You pack a bag when you take a road trip, but you should make sure you have some basic back TLC items stashed behind your passenger seat or in your glove compartment in case you need them. Single-use ice packs or hot packs—the kind that you crack to activate—can be handy if you have a major flare-up. Keep a small bottle of water and NSAIDs or other OTC pain relievers on hand for less intense pain. A small pillow, a hand towel that can be rolled up, or lumbar supports are also worth keeping around for longer trips (or just for when you’ve had a long day).
These types of preventative measures can help ease back pain symptoms, but to find relief it is imperative to get a diagnosis of the underlying condition and find appropriate treatment. Get started on the road to a pain-free life by calling the Spine Institute Northwest at 888-712-0318 today.