How to Avoid Back Pain on Road Trips

Summer means vacations, and for many people that means the great American pastime, the road trip. Driving vacations are a great way to see the country or to find little-known spots you'd never see when traveling by air. Unfortunately, bad driving habits and overdoing it cause thousands of people to suffer from back pain during their road trips. Here at Back on Track Chiropractic and Wellness Center, our team treats people every year for painful symptoms that could have been easily avoided with a little prior planning. Here are some great ideas to use before you head out on your next road trip.

Tips to Keep the Pain Away

While you might be subject to bouts of minor stiffness and pain after sitting in a car for hours on end, you can avoid the worst of it with some smart prior planning. For instance:

• Remove your wallet, phone, or other bulky items from your back pocket. Sitting on a lump causes your spine to bend, and can result in painful muscle strains
• Adjust your seat so that you can sit with your back touching the seat back, while still placing your feet flat on the pedals. Drive with your back against the seat, not hunched over toward the steering wheel
• If your car doesn't come with lumbar support in the seat backs, bring a rolled up towel to support the lumber region of your lower back
• Adjust your mirrors before you leave so that you can glance at them without moving your head
• Stop every hour or two in order to get out and walk around briefly. Staying in one position can cause you to stiffen up, and fidgeting behind the wheel can cause dangerous inattention
• Use your car's perks. If you've got heated seats, warm them up to ease your back muscles. Use cruise control as much as possible so you can move your legs and feet around into different positions

Any questions about back health before leaving on your road trip? Ask the doctor today!