Avoiding Back Pain whilst on the Road

Many drivers don’t realise that the back pain or a stiff neck may primarily be caused by bad driving habits, although you might not always feel it while you’re on the road.

Most of us spend a good couple of hours a day in our cars, commuting to and from work or running errands. This may cause us to suffer from aches and pains known as Repetitive Driver Injury.

According to the British Chiropractic Association (BCA), 40% of people say that simply sitting down for long periods of time exacerbates neck and back pain.

Did you know… Long periods of time on the road puts extra strain on the vertebrae and discs and we lose the lumbar curves in our backs.

Remember… Avoiding back problems while driving may not require anything drastic, such as, buying a new car, however, taking practical measures should help drivers feel comfortable behind the wheel:

• After a long journey muscles can become very stiff, therefore, simple exercises, such as, side bends and seat braces, are very effective.
• Remain relaxed whilst driving and take breaks.
• Maintain a good lumbar support to ensure that there is a slight arch in your lower back to avoid pressure on your discs.

Remember… If you have any issues you should book in for a check up. These types of problems are more easily treated if dealt with promptly

For Further information or comments, please contact your chiropractor