Preventing & Alleviating Back Pain on a Road Trip

Keeping Aches & Pains at Bay While on The Road

Whether you’re a passenger or the driver, many of us are familiar with the aches and pains following a road trip. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways that you can prevent and alleviate spinal discomfort on your car rid.

Bring Ice Packs

If you typically experience back pain inthe car, bring along a few ice packs for the ride. Applying ice can help to decrease pain-causing inflammation that may be causing your aches and pains. Remember not to apply ice or an ice pack directly to your skin—be sure to wrap it in a towel when applying to the affected area to prevent burns.

Utilize Your Seat’s Heat Settings

When you spend long periods of time in a seated position, it can cause muscle tension that leads to unwanted aches and pains in your back and neck. If your car has them, try utilizing your seat’s heat settings to help relax your muscles.

Applying heat improves the flow of blood, oxygen, and nutrients to your muscles, effectively preventing and alleviating tension-related pain. If your car doesn’t have these settings, bringing along a heating pad can give you the same relief.

Take Stretch Breaks

Sitting for extended periods of time can cause the supportive muscles in your back to become stiff and sore, even leading to muscle spasms in some cases. Depending on the lengths of your trip, try to work in a break once every hour to allow yourself to get out and stretch.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery in Minnesota

When it comes to aches and pains, discomfort that affects your back can be more than just an annoyance — it can negatively affect your quality of life and your independence. At Inspired Spine, our experienced and knowledgeable spinal surgeons are dedicated to relieving your chronic back pain with the least invasive treatment possible.

To schedule a free consultation with one of our spine surgeons, call (952) 225-5266 today.