Road trips are intended to be fun, as you excitedly drive across the vast expanses of America with your family and friends in tow. But for many of us riding in the car can quickly become painful when the uninvited travel partner known as lower back pain shows up. Many travelers use poor posture when slouched behind the wheel or scrunched down in the passenger\u2019s seat, which leads to lower back pain flare-ups. Driving countless hours on congested roads also causes stress, which can trigger or exacerbate back pain. The good news is that there are several proven ways to help ward off lower back pain while on the road, or at the very least relieve the symptoms.<\/p>\n
Before embarking on your trip, carefully adjust the seats to maximize support for your body\u2019s contours, especially your lower back (lumbar). If you\u2019re driving, sit close to the wheel because prolonged arm extending places undo stress on your back muscles and spine. Remove objects from your back pockets like Smartphones, wallets or keys, as they also place pressure on your posterior spine. Sit up straight with your chin up and out, and shoulders back. If your body feels<\/em> uncomfortable while seated, listen to what it\u2019s telling you.<\/p>\n Okay, it\u2019s impossible to totally avoid potholes or rough patches of road. But to create a smoother overall ride that will reduce the likelihood for lower back problems, there are steps you can take prior to embarking, such as:<\/p>\n Especially on longer trips, using these measures will go a long way in preventing lower back pain as the miles add up.<\/p>\n Our bodies were designed to walk upright, so forcing yours into a seated position for untold hours is simply asking for lower back muscle tightening, aches and spasms. If you suffer from back pain, plan breaks in advance for every hour or two. Use these outside-the-car \u201ctimeouts\u201d to walk and stretch out the stiffness, and make sure to stand up straight while doing so. These timeouts are also a great way to reduce driving-related stress. Beforehand, give your travel companion(s) a heads-up regarding your pain-reducing regimen, how often you\u2019ll need to break, and encourage them to join you so that their backs will be happier and healthier too!<\/p>\nSmooth Out Your Ride <\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Take Frequent Stretch Breaks <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Don\u2019t Forget to Pack Heat (and Cold)!<\/strong><\/h2>\n