Many folks all around the country experience back pain while driving. Also, it’s something most people never talk about. When something becomes pretty normal, there’s no need to mention it, right? The thing is: we can’t afford to ignore this problem; it’s our precious bodies we’re talking about.
What is more, the contemporary economy offers more and more jobs that involve less and less physical activity. So, what’s there to be done about it?
If you’re on the lookout for an answer to that question, you’ve come to the right address. There are ways you can prevent back pain while driving, and in the article below, we’ll show you some of them. By the end of this text, you’ll have a clue about how to treat your body better.
Table of Contents
Improve Your Posture!
The most probable cause of back pain is rooted in bad posture. As if it’s hard to figure that one on your own, right? Also, we don’t want to underestimate the fact that some people fail to hear what their bodies have to say after a long working day.
It’s so true it even rhymes. Unfortunately, there’s no room for poetry here. You’ll rarely find something less romantic than bad posture.
If you’re seated in an uncomfortable position during most of the day, you’re bound to experience some back pain. Also, do you want to sport a potbelly, despite not being a beer aficionado? Okay, that was a nice term for your everyday beer lover.
The main point we’re trying to make here is: improve your posture! If you lean over your wheel like a praying mantis, try doing the opposite!
Improving your posture is something you should consider when looking for a way to prevent back pain while driving.
Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
This will be a short one. It’s something that most folks would tell you first if you were ever to complain about back pain. There’s probably no need to overemphasize the fact that regular daily exercise will do the trick here. Having that in mind, please try to find some time in your tight schedule for this healthy activity. You’ll feel a lot better, and you’ll send excruciating back pain to where it belongs – history!
Position the Wheel
Adjust the steering wheel position so it matches your body. Poor choice of words, but you get the point. We already said no to poetry. Inadequate arm position while driving is something that can cause severe back pain. So, make yourself comfortable – you’ve got nothing to lose!
Try to adjust the position of the steering wheel in accordance with your body type. Wrong hand placement is one of the leading causes of back pain.
Take Breaks when Driving Long Distances
Imagine this: you’re relocating somewhere far away from your current home. You’re going through all the stress involved in the moving process, and finally – you have to drive a certain distance that really can’t put a smile on anyone’s face. In that situation, it might be best you hire a moving company.
There’s another helpful trick: take breaks every two to three hours to relax and stretch a bit. Walking can also enhance your concentration, so make sure you make a quick tour around the gas station or something. Remember: this is a piece of advice from folks used to driving distances. If that’s not saying something, then we don’t know what is.
Bend your Knees and Lift with Your Legs
We almost forgot to mention another piece of advice we received from moving professionals. If your job involves lifting something in and out of the car, make sure you bend your knees while keeping your lower back straight as an arrow. That way, the weight will not put a strain on your back, as you will be lifting with your legs.
The Headrest Solution
As was the case with the steering wheel, you’ll also have to adjust the headrest of your car seat. How to do it? Well, the middle of the back of your head should meet the middle of the car seat headrest. There’s also a band called Car Seat Headrest. Their music can be a very cool companion during your everyday drives. Good music never caused back pain! Always keep it somewhere close: let your favorite tunes relax you while driving.
How to prevent back pain while driving? Make sure you adjust the middle of your car seat headrest to match the middle of the back of your head.
Heated Car Seats, Anyone?
It might sound weird, but having heated car seats should be listed among your strategies for back pain prevention. The heat relaxes the muscles and tight joints. Also, it helps the blood flow. That can be very helpful when experiencing back pain. If your car doesn’t have heated seats, you can obtain heated seat covers. You’ll find them in stores all around the country.
Bring Your Seat Closer to the Wheel
By adjusting your seat, so it isn’t that far away from the wheel, you won’t have the praying-mantis option (we’ve mentioned above) at hand. You’ll support the natural S curvature of the spine. Sitting with good posture is clearly unavoidable here.
Final words
These are some of the ways you can prevent back pain while driving. Hopefully, your everyday trips will no longer represent a troublesome ordeal. If you spend a lot of time in the car seat, you definitely need these tips. A lot of health problems are associated with spine issues.
Nowadays, it looks like people are starting to take their bodies more seriously and with great care. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be a part of that trend. Always listen to what your body is saying to you! There are clear signs it’s time to change something or visit an expert. If there’s someone you can’t avoid being friends with – it’s your body!
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