Your lower back pain may worsen as a result of your time behind the wheel. Using topical ointments, lumbar support, and seat adjustments are some ways to ease pain and irritation.If you have persistent back discomfort, driving could exacerbate it. Driving can also increase your risk of developing back discomfort, especially if you do it for long periods.
However, back pain while driving can be eliminated. To help you minimize discomfort, there are some little tweaks and tools you can utilize.
Reasons why your back is aching after driving?
Your back may feel achy or even painful while you drive, especially for extended periods of time. Your spinal ligaments and back muscles may be strained by prolonged sitting. The pressure of this stance can exacerbate your pain if you slouch forward or have bad posture when driving. Worst of all, you can get a victim of right lateral pelvic lilt.
Well, worry not! The below-listed tips can help you drive painlessly whether you’re a long-haul truck driver, weekend road warrior, or workday commuter.
Use a cushion for lumber support
Back pain while driving can be reduced by using lumbar support pillows or cushions. Your spine will feel less pressure as a result of this. Particularly in older persons, degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis can induce lumbar pain and stiffness during driving.
The gap between your lower back and your car seat is filled with lumbar support cushions. This aids in maintaining proper driving posture. Lumbar support cushions may lessen the discomfort that radiates down the legs in addition to lowering lower back pain.
Make seat adjustments
You can determine the most supporting angle by experimenting with your sitting position. This entails shifting your seat up and down, forward and backward, and modifying the inclination of the bottom and back of the seat.
Make sure your spine is straight and aligned as you sit to support your back. Even if you’re leaning back a little, you can still keep your spine straight. Your weight should be evenly distributed on both sides of your body as you sit. Make sure your thighs line up with the seat. Additionally, you should place your knees just below your hips.
Put on comfortable footwear
Some shoe styles, such as high heels and flip-flops, can make it harder for you to drive safely and raise your risk of developing lower back pain.
High heels and poorly fitting shoes affect your sitting position, so your preset seat adjustments won’t function as well as they would in a shoe that fits flatter.
Use a patch for back discomfort
A long-acting pain reliever patch might be more to your liking than a cream or rub-on salve. For longer-lasting relief, you can apply a patch on your back.
Similar to a portable heating pad, heat patches relieve back discomfort. They contain materials that react to air, such as iron powder. Additionally, they might provide more penetrating heat to relax tense muscles and widen blood vessels.
Turn on the cruise control
Keep in mind that during rush hour or on slick, twisty, or dangerous roads, cruise control is not an option. By allowing you to adjust your leg position, cruise control can help ease back pain when used safely.
Bend your knees and place both feet flush on the floor when your car is on cruise control. Distribute your weight equally across both feet. This will relieve some of the strain on your back.
Avoid doing the heavy lifting
Back muscles can become strained or overstretched when hoisting or lifting big items, such as boxes, crates, and bags. Additionally, it may rip them, resulting in severe pain and harm.
Make sure to lift safely to safeguard your back if your job (or the weight of your suitcase) calls for heavy lifting. Squatting down and lifting using your legs rather than your back is the most effective technique for moving large objects.
Maintain your hydration
It might be difficult to stay hydrated when traveling. On the other hand, it is vital for general health and for lowering the risk of back spasms and excruciating leg and back cramps.
Bring low-sugar electrolyte drinks or bottled water to prevent this. When you pause for rest, you might also want to bring extra fluids.
Wrap Up
Driving with back pain is a regular problem. There are easy things you can do to prevent back pain when you’re traveling. These include staying hydrated, using pain relievers, and taking breaks from driving. It can also be helpful to stretch before, during, and after your travel.
If even after following the tips, your back is still aching, you might be struggling with the problem of pelvic rotation and tilting. If so, consider contacting a healthcare expert who can better guide you and help you relieve pain in your back.
