5 Ways to Help Back Pain When Driving

By Alexis Mills

Driving regularly or for long periods of time is known to create back pain for many people. Especially for people who have regular work commutes or drive as part of their jobs, it is crucial to know what you can do to best support your back and body.  Hopefully, some of the below tips can help you!

Get Settled and Adjust your Seat

Once you get in your car, take some time to get in a comfortable position instead of rushing because a small pain can quickly grow into a major irritation. It's much easier to get comfortable from the start than trying to move around while you are driving, which could be dangerous. Adjusting your seat when you first get into the car is crucial to make sure that you are sitting up straight and that your spine is in the best position possible. 

Work on Your Posture 

It's important to strengthen and train your spine to be aligned with good posture. When you are tired and are on long road trips, it's natural to hunch over the steering wheel, but this will eventually create major back pain. When you catch yourself hunching, fix it by sitting up straight and putting your shoulders back. At first, it might be difficult to hold good posture, but it's important to practice holding it to strengthen your spine to be able to hold a healthy posture.

Buy a Car Cushion

It could be that the bumps in the road are creating pains in your body, especially if your car doesn't have the smoothest drive. Using a car cushion will allow it to act as a buffer to the vibrations of the car.

Use Cruise Control

Using cruise control when you can, especially on long drives, will help with back pain immensely. By being able to put your feet on the floor to make your legs form a 90-degree angle at your knees and gently push on the floor will be supporting your spine.

Go to a Chiropractor 

If you are experiencing piercing back pain, seeing a chiropractor could be a great option to get the care and opinion of a professional. At the Joint Chiropractic you can stop in at your own convenience and be able to take care of your spinal health to make your long drive or commute easier. If the efforts you are making on your own aren't working, then it is definitely time to see a professional.

To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Reno, Nev.