It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also a time for a lot of travel. Getting together with friends and family that live far away is special, but the back pain that comes along with long road trips — not so much. Here are our tips to drive away back pain.
Get Moving
For those that suffer from chronic back pain, a road trip sounds like a nightmare. Even for those without back pain, long hours on the road prevent movement and stretches which can lead to an aching back. Sitting still for too long is a common cause of back pain and research shows if you get up and get moving, you can prevent that pain. When taking long road trips, pull over every few hours and stretch your legs or take a short walk. Take advantage of the local sites and parks along your drive and plan your stops before you go to better enjoy your journey.
Get Rest
Before hitting the road, get plenty of rest. It may be obvious that getting good sleep before a road trip helps you get to your destination safely, but did you know that lack of sleep can cause increased back pain? Studies have shown that when you don’t get enough restful sleep, you are at greater risk of suffering from pain. And the only thing we can think of that is worse than being stuck in traffic is being stuck in traffic while in pain! If you plan on being a passenger for your trip, you might think you’ll catch up on sleep during the drive, but remember that sleeping in a scrunched up position could leave you in greater discomfort than before. Make a goal of getting at least 6 hours of restful sleep each night, and even more before a long road trip.
Get into Preferred Chiropractic for an Adjustment
Chiropractic care offers plenty of benefits and preventing and treating neck and back pain is just one. Chiropractic adjustments to the spine and joints release restriction and tension. You may not realize its happening, but the joints in your spine and body are constantly shifting. Chiropractic manipulations ensure your spine is properly aligned. Spinal health is always important, but particularly before holiday travel. Don’t let back pain slow you down during the holiday season, so instead of sitting in discomfort, click here to schedule an adjustment before your road trip.
