5 Ways to Take the Pain Out of Long Summer Road Trips

Next, check the distance between you and the steering wheel. In the proper position, you should be able to securely hold the wheel with a slight bend in your arms. Finally, check your leg and hip position. Sitting too close to the pedals can cause you to cramp up, while being too far away will force your body to slouch.

Once you have adjusted your seat, your back should naturally be in the correct position. However, each person’s natural posture is unique, and a standardized seat may not provide sufficient support for everyone. If you notice pain develop in your lower back during long road trips, place a small pillow or a rolled-up towel between you and the seat for additional lumbar support. The key is to maintain the natural curve of your spine while driving, so checking your posture and incorporating additional support where it’s needed will help prevent pain from arising.

Road trips are all about the journey, not the destination, so taking frequent breaks should be a welcomed part of your adventure. Every few hours you should get out of your car and enjoy the scenery. Take this time to stretch your back and get blood circulating throughout your body by performing a few gentle exercises. For those extra-long road trips, you may also consider doing core-strengthening exercises to help further support your back, such as planks, crunches, and leg lifts.

Even after following all the precautions listed above, back pain can (and likely will) begin to surface. Prepare in advance and store an ice pack in your cooler. As soon as symptoms arise, apply the ice pack for 20 minutes to the affected region. This should curb the pain by reducing inflammation, which is the most common cause of back pain. Just remember that ice should never be applied directly to the skin, so be sure to wrap it in a cloth during application to prevent ice burn.

The final step to a pain-free road trip is to take care of your body once the day of driving has come to an end. Just as you did during your frequent rest stops, be sure to stretch your back and perform light exercises to alleviate tension and increase blood flow throughout your body. If you are staying at a hotel or motel with a Jacuzzi, relax the pain away by taking long warm baths. The secret is to treat your back pain as soon as possible in order to give your body ample time to heal itself for the next day of driving.

The joy of a great road trip should never be compromised by back pain. Listen to your body throughout the drive and make any necessary adjustments to your seated position to prevent pain. You may also bring over-the-counter pain medications to curtail any arising symptoms. Remember that the trip is all about the journey, so be sure to take frequent pit stops to let your body recover for the stretch of road ahead.

Marc Browner is a Co-owner and practicing chiropractor at Windmill Health Center in Weston, Florida. A graduate of the University of Florida in 1991, he earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Life Chiropractic in 1995. In private practice since 1998, Dr. Browner is a member of the Florida Chiropractic Society, the Florida Chiropractic Association, and he attends continuing education seminars, classes, and workshops to remain abreast of the most current treatment methods and technological advances in the field.

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