How To Drive Without
Back Pain in Vacaville

When you say, "road trip", it can have different meanings for every person. It could mean driving anywhere the highway leads, or just hitting the road to get to work. Or, it could mean family time and hearing the words, "Are we there yet?" several times in every hour. But for anyone suffering from back pain, it could be a difficult and uncomfortable time while on the road.

Sitting in the car in the same position for long hours can trigger back pain. If you're riding as a passenger, you have the freedom to make yourself comfortable or take medications that can help relieve the pain. Being the driver during the entire trip won't give you that freedom since you're too focused on the road and want to ensure that you arrive safely at your destination. This is something that drivers experience regularly especially if driving is their full-time job.

However, you can easily avoid back pain in Vacaville while on the road and doing so can prevent you from suffering from agonizing pain for hours. This will make your entire journey comfortable and you'll no longer have to worry about back pain settling in anytime soon.

How to prevent back pain while on the road in Vacaville CA

So, what could you do to cover long distances and make sure that your back cooperates? Try out these tips to make the entire journey easier for you:

1. Use lumbar support - Lumbar support is a great way of protecting your back. If you don't have one to use, you can use something simple, like a rolled-up towel or a cushion that's specifically designed for back support. You should place it properly at the small of the back, somewhere around the belt level. This is usually the place in the car seat where your back doesn't get all the support so putting it there will surely prevent the strain and pain from arising.
2. Move your seat forward - It can help if you position yourself close to the steering wheel without becoming uncomfortable. If you position yourself like this, you can avoid slouching during the entirety of the drive and you could avoid straining too much to reach the pedals. Just make sure that your knees aren't higher than your hips because this can create a problem as well. So, take time to adjust your sitting position before you start hitting the road.
3. Angle your seat - The back of your seat should have an angle of 100 to 110 degrees to allow you to sit properly. This will prevent you from sitting at an inclined or declined position. Again, this is another rule to consider before you head out your way.
4. Stretch it out - If possible, find a resting stop to get out of the car and stretch. The ideal time to do this is every half hour or so especially if your destination takes some time to reach. You should stretch out every part of your body to promote circulation and avoid pain from settling in on every part of your body, apart from your back.
5. Ice it down - If you're still having back pains after stretching, you could put an ice pack on your back when you're sitting. Having an ice pack on the affected area can relieve the pain by numbing that part and reduce inflammation. You can purchase portable/disposable ice and heat packs so make sure to have this ready the next time you're out for a drive.
6. Adjust your steering wheel grip - Apart from your car seat, you can also adjust your steering wheel to position yourself and avoid back pain. New drivers are taught to hold the steering wheel at 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock positions. But new studies suggest that you should position your hands at 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock especially with the advent of airbags. This will allow your elbows to rest on the armrests, which is helpful in easing the pain, especially in the upper back area.
7. Heat your seat - If possible, try to purchase heated seats as an add-on for your car seat because it can help if your back starts to experience some spasms. Heat can relieve pain by relaxing tight muscles and joints, thus decreasing the transmission of pain signals to the brain. It will also help circulate more blood into that area since the flow of nutrients and oxygen during this process can potentially heal damaged tissues. So, invest on one and you can turn them on anytime you start to feel some tingling on your back.

Hopefully, this article will help you the next time you're out for a long drive or when you're just on your way to work. If you want, you can also seek a consultation with Dr. Alex Tam if ever your back pain is becoming severe. He owns the top chiropractic and holistic center in the Solano country so you can be confident that your back pain will be treated with his help.