5 Tips to Alleviate Back Pain on Your Road Trips

If you have suffered an auto accident injury that causes back pain, we here at Lake Worth Chiropractic and Wellness can help. But even with chiropractic care, back pain can flare up sometimes -- like during summer road trips, when you are stuck in a sitting position for hours. Our Lake Worth chiropractor, Dr. Jack J. Cacic, offers these five tips to relieve back pain and reclaim the joy of road-tripping.

1) Sit in a Comfortable Position

You can avoid most road-trip related back pain by making yourself comfortable before your trip even starts. Many car seats do not provide the best lumbar support, so use a rolled-up towel or lumbar cushion to support your lower back. Avoid sitting on your wallet or phone. If you are driving, sit as close to the wheel as you possible and bend your legs so your knees are higher than your hips.

2) Bring an Ice Pack and a Heating Pad

Alternating heat and ice can help ease inflammation and relieve back pain before it becomes too much to handle. Throw an ice pack in your cooler and bring a heating pad that plugs into your cigarette lighter. If you have heated seats, use this feature instead to warm your back.

3) Make Frequent Stops

Stop as often as you can to get out of the car, stretch, and walk around. Stretching the hamstrings is particularly effective for relieving low back pain.

4) Change Positions Frequently

Staying in the same position for long periods can lead to back pain, even if the position in question was initially comfortable. Change positions every 15 to 20 minutes, moving your seat if necessary.

5) Get Some Sleep

Sleeping in a car might be hard, but it is a good way to relax and find relief from pain. If you are not driving, and the back seat is empty, you may want to lie down for a while. Or, you could recline the front seat.

How do you cope with back pain on road trips?