Tips to Avoid Back Pain While Driving

It doesn’t matter if you’re driving for a few miles or several hours. Your back pain is likely to flare up when you’re in the car. You can keep it at bay by following some tips to avoid back pain while driving. These tips will help you have a lot more fun in the car.

Use Lumbar Support

If you’re lucky, your car comes with a lot of lumbar support. You can just push a button to adjust the support. There’s a good chance that your car doesn’t come with adequate lumbar support, though. That’s okay. Just roll up a sweatshirt and put it behind your lower back. This extra support will alleviate pressure on your back, making it easier to settle in for a car ride. Just make sure the sweatshirt stays in place. If it doesn’t, it could throw off the alignment of your spine.

Stop Often

Your spine isn’t designed to sit in one place. It wants you to move around, so if you’re stuck in a car, it’s not going to be happy. You can make it much happier by stopping every 30 minutes. Get out of the car and move around a bit. You can even do some stretches. You’ll feel like a new person when you get back behind the wheel.

Sit at the Right Height

Your back will appreciate it if you sit at the right height when you’re in the car. Your knees need to be at a right angle. If they aren’t, you’re going to put too much pressure on your spine. Adjust your seat accordingly and you will notice a difference right away.

Don’t Reach for the Wheel

You might like to put your seat far back and reach for the steering wheel, but that will wreak havoc on your back. You should be able to reach the steering wheel comfortably, and your arms should be bent. This will take some of the pressure off your back, ensuring you have a comfortable ride.

Put Both Hands on the Wheel

When you put one hand on the wheel, it is easy to rotate your spine. That takes everything out of alignment. Once things are out of alignment, your back will start hurting. You can avoid this problem by putting both of your hands on the wheel. It will keep your spine straight, and it will also help you stay alert when you’re driving.

Adjust Your Mirrors

If you have to spin around and try to see your mirrors, your back will likely start acting up. Take the time to adjust your mirrors so you can easily see them. This might be one of the simplest tips to avoid back pain while driving, but it is also one of the most effective.

Don’t let your back get in the way when you’re on the road. Follow these tips to keep your back pain-free and healthy. You can get more tips by contacting the Advanced Spine Center. The center will provide you with all of the information you need to stay pain-free.