Chiropractic Tips for Holiday Driving

By Brandi Swieter

For many people, the holidays mean having to spend hours driving to visit family. Whether a person has to sit for just one hour to get to a nearby town or they have to drive hours over to another state, some tips from the chiropractor come in handy to ensure the journey goes as smooth as possible. Consider these tips when doing your end-of-year holiday driving to keep the back as pain-free as possible.

Sit Up Straight While Driving

Drivers should never slouch in their seats. Instead, sitting up straight is the best option while driving. To prevent slouching and back pain, keep the mirrors adjusted to proper posture height. Once drivers feel themselves slouching, he or she should sit back up to see properly out of their mirrors rather than trying to change their placement to accommodate their new seating arrangement.

Keep Phones and Wallets Out of Pockets

Men in particular tend to leave their phones or wallets in the back pocket of their jeans. They end up sitting on these items for the entire duration of their trip, causing a bit of an uneven seating position. It may not seem like a big deal at first, but over time the placement of these objects and the unevenness will impact the body, causing an ache in the lower back. Before heading out, be sure keys, wallets, and phones are placed in the glove box or center console so they are not left in a pocket.

Take Regular Breaks

The goal may be to get to the holiday location as fast as possible, but that shouldn’t be the case when having to drive. It is best to leave the house early so regular breaks can get taken during the trip. It prevents fatigue and can help ensure the back does not get too stiff or sore from sitting for hours on end with no interruption.

It is advised to follow chiropractic tips while driving, particularly during the holidays when the body can already become overstressed easily. Rather than driving straight through, breaks are needed often to keep the muscles moving and prevent them from getting stiff. After returning home from a holiday trip in which driving took place, it is important to visit The Joint Chiropractic for an adjustment. It will ensure the body is back in ideal shape and able to take on the many upcoming holiday tasks.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Salem, N.H.