Most of us have to drive to work or to do ours groceries. Often, we have to travel long distances before reaching our destinations. Most of our clients complain of back pain that gets worse with driving for a long period. Although the cause is multi factorial and would require an exhaustive assessme..
Most of us have to drive to work or to do ours groceries. Often, we have to travel long distances before reaching our destinations. Most of our clients complain of back pain that gets worse with driving for a long period. Although the cause is multi factorial and would require an exhaustive assessment, we still want to share some simple tips you can implement in order to drive with less back pain:
Be as comfortable as possible before you even start the car:
If you have pain as soon as you sit in the car, there is probably something wrong with your posture. Start by adjusting your seat, especially if you share the car with someone else. Here’s a little tip to help you have a better posture: Place your rear-view mirror high enough so that you have to stand straight to see them…you won’t be slouching as much!
Place a towel in the hollow of your back:
If your back pain is relieved by standing upright, you could place a rolled towel in the lower back for extra support. You can even adjust your car seat so it arches your lower back (make sure to check if your car offers this option).
Use “cruise control” if possible:
If you travel long distances on the highway, the “cruise control” will allow you to put less strain on your sciatic nerve (since you will not extend the leg as much). This can often reduce pain that originates from the lower back and radiates down the legs.
Move in the car!:
Often, back pain become worse when you adopt a prolonged posture or remain inactive. You could perform movements such as rocking the pelvis back and forth, performing cervical retractions or drawing your belly button towards the spine to recruit deep core muscles. This way, your muscles and joints will remain in motion and avoid getting you stiff!
Just be active in general!:
Even more important than staying in motion while driving is to stayactivein general! Physical exercise has been shown to be one of the most effective methods for treating back problems. Whether aerobic exercise or lumbar strengthening exercises, maintaining a physical routine can greatly help you treat your pain-not to mention the benefits on your overall health!
If you have doubts about your ability to exercise considering your back problem, or are afraid to aggravate your symptoms by doing the wrong exercises, Lombafit Studio can be a solution. To get started, visit www.lombafitstudio.com and browse our blog for articles specifically designed to educate you on managing your back pain! Then, contact us for a free telephone consultation to speak to one of our professionals.We will help you make the right decisions and determine if you are eligible for our group classes.
