Staying in the same position for a few hours can cause your joints and muscles to tighten up.  As this happens, your range of motion (ability to move) may decrease which may cause small movements to be painful.  Commonly patients complain of stiffness in the low back, difficulty moving in and out of the car, or pain in the neck and shoulders, seen when checking their blind-spot.

Long trips can also aggravate existing conditions like arthritis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease and sciatica.  

What can you do prevent pain?
Take Regular Breaks - break up your trip into smaller two-three hour chunks (when driving). If you are a passenger (airplane/train etc.,) get up and walk up and down the aisles every couple of hours. This helps keep your muscles and joints limber but also prevents the risk of developing a blood clot.
Stretch - make sure you stretch before, during and after your trip.  This will help with your range of motion, reduce the possibility of muscle spasms.
Go Prepared - long flight with a history of neck pain…take a neck pillow.  History of back pain….take a support cushion so that you have something comfortable to sit on.
Improve How You Sit - don’t slouch!  This puts added pressure on your neck, shoulders and back.  
See Your Chiropractor - visit your chiropractor before and after long trips.  We can help improve the alignment in your spine and reduce any muscle tension.  

While we may not be travelling like how we used to.  But chiropractic care can increase your comfort when traveling and when at home. Call 416-873-4218 to book your appointment.


Resources:
Edmunds: Creating the Perfect Fit: New Car Seat Design
Spine Health: 7 Tips to Alleviate Back Pain on Your Road Trips, 9/12/19
How to Stay Comfortable on Long Drives, 5/24/18
Asian Spine Journal: The Effect of Standing and Different Sitting Positions on Lumbar Lordosis: Radiographic Study of 30 Healthy Volunteers, 10/15