A road trip is a fun way to get away with the family, but back pain from driving can ruin it.
Poor posture while driving can cause your back muscles to tighten and contract. It can also cause achiness and a muscle spasm, which is very uncomfortable.
Stretch It Out
Stretching helps you maintain a healthy spine by allowing for improved range of motion. That means you can perform tasks that used to be hard for you without putting extra stress on your body.
But it’s important to stretch the right muscles in the right way. It’s best to consult with a physical therapist before you start stretching if you have an injury or other health concerns.
Whether you’re on the road or relaxing at home, stretch regularly and mindfully to stay in top shape. Doing so will keep you feeling younger and more energetic.
To get started, find a comfortable position on a mat or the floor with your back flat and legs straight. Gently lean forward and stretch your glutes by pulling one knee towards the chest for 30 to 60 seconds. This stretch will increase your overall spinal flexibility and decrease pain in the lower back, says Hashish.
Get out of the car
Taking frequent breaks from your vehicle allows you to stretch your legs and get your heart pumping. It also gives you a chance to view your surroundings.
New Zealand medical specialist Dr. Caroline Shaw, who is a long-time advocate of walking, cycling, and public transit over cars, has a few tips for getting out of the car safely. Among the most important is to check the windows on the exterior of the car.
The most obvious way to do this is to see whether you can wind down the windows in the right direction. Oftentimes, this is possible with the simple push of a button or a pull of a lever.
If not, consider the other occupants of the car and make sure you can safely climb out. Another option is to try breaking a window in a safe manner. This is not as easy as it sounds, however. Kicking near the front or side of the window may help you break it in a safe and controlled manner.
Take a cold therapy treatment
Aspadol 100mg is one of the most effective pain relievers. It reduces inflammation and swelling and decreases nerve activity in a targeted area for short periods of time.
Cold therapy is often used to relieve an acute muscle injury, such as a sprain or strain, because it helps reduce inflammation and sensitivity to pain by slowing down the pain signals sent from your nerves. It also can help protect your injured tissues from further damage by reducing the amount of blood that reaches them, which is important in keeping the affected tissue from getting damaged or re-injured.
Heat therapy is a more effective option for long-term muscle pain or sore joints, such as those that result from arthritis. It improves circulation to an inflamed area, which can alleviate the buildup of lactic acid waste that can occur after some types of exercise. It can also promote muscle flexibility, improve joint movement, and relax sore muscles.
Schedule rest stops
When travelling long distances, it’s important to make sure that your back muscles are well-rested. Taking frequent breaks from driving can help prevent stiffness and pain as you sit in the car for hours at a time.
For the average person, it’s recommended to take a 15-minute break every one to two hours. However, those with a history of back problems may need more frequent breaks.
The best way to combat this is to schedule rest stops as part of your travel itinerary. This will give you the opportunity to walk around and stretch out your legs and back.
Getting out of the car and moving around will stimulate blood circulation, which brings nutrients and oxygen to your lower back. Even just a quick walk can be enough to help relieve pain caused by sitting in the car for long periods of time.