Tips to Alleviate Back Pain on Your Road Trips

Road trips are great. They allow you to distance yourself from the daily routine and from stressful thoughts. You get to see places you have never been to and enjoy your time with your family and

friends. However, when going on road trips that last for hours in a row, most people experience back pain due to uncomfortable car seats or back conditions.

Luckily, there are many methods that you can take into consideration when going on a road trip in order to avoid lower or upper back pain. If you do this quite often, it is important to take measures. Ignoring your back pain can lead to chronic pain, herniated discs a, d long-term discomfort.

Here’s what you can do to alleviate back pain on your road trips:

1. Get yourself an ergonomic chair cushion

Using a seat cushion for back pain is not only useful for those who already suffer from chronic pain. Such an accessory is also recommended as a preventive method. If you know that you will be travelling for more than one hour, you should get yourself an orthopaedic seat cushion. These are some of the best car seat cushions that help you back relax and avoid direct pressure on the spine.

2. Keep a straight back

Keeping a straight back and a correct posture while driving or sitting in a car seat can be extremely difficult. First of all, your back adapts to the car seat’s shape, which is rarely ergonomic or suitable for your body. Using an ergonomic chair cushion or a back support can help you maintain a correct posture and therefore, you will keep your back straight for as long as you drive.

3. Drive carefully

You might not even realize the fact that avoiding bumps on the road and driving carefully can contribute to a more comfortable ride. Avoiding these shocks will reduce the frequency of bounces and you will feel much more comfortable. If the road does not allow you to have a smooth ride, it is crucial that you and the other passengers have memory foam seat cushions that protect your back and other joints from shocks.

4. Take short breaks

Unfortunately, many people drive for long hours without taking any breaks. This is extremely bad for your back. No wonder that your entire body feels sore after such a long drive and that you tend to feel very tired. Plan a few stops on the road, even if there is nothing to do in that particular area. Stretch your muscles or even jog for 2 minutes. This will help your muscles relax and will give your cardiovascular system a boost. You will no longer have muscle spasms if you stop every once in a while. Also, try to change your position while driving every 15 minutes.

5. Use a cold pack

Back pain is generally activated by the inflammation of your muscles. We all know that cold packs have an anti-inflammatory role and that they can help you alleviate the pain. Either you feel pain in your upper back or lower back, this will help you calm down. Also, it will help you distress. Along with a seat cushion for back pain, this is one of the best options for long rides.

6. Massage your back every once in a while

Except for using one of the best car seat cushions that you can find in specialized stores, it is also useful to massage your back every now and then. You can massage the painful area yourself, you can ask someone else to do it for you or you can buy one of those car seat massagers that prove to be so effective. If it is your upper back that becomes painful after a few hours, it is easy for someone else to provide you a massage.

Avoiding back pain during road trips, as well as alleviating already installed symptoms can make your journey more beautiful and enjoyable. In case you choose to ignore the pain, as well as the tips above, the consequences will be very unpleasant. Once back pain is installed, it only gets worse. You can find yourself sweating in your seat, feeling uncomfortable and unable to enjoy the views and time spent with your friends or family. Also, you can lose your appetite, your mood swings, you can start feeling irritable and more importantly, you lose the best parts of your trip. In order to avoid all of these things, simply think ahead and use a car seat cushion and maintain a correct posture.