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June is finally upon us, which means sand, sun and summer vacation. If you’re planning a road trip this season, the last thing you want is your chronic back pain to flare up during your drive. So before hitting the open road, the back pain specialists at Twin Cities’ own iSpine Pain Physicians recommend taking a few necessary precautions. 

How to Reduce Back Pain During Road Trips

back pain1. Replace Your Shocks 

Potholes and rough roads not only make for a bumpy ride but also jar the spine. To ease the resulting back pain, try replacing your vehicle’s shocks before you embark. Riding in a passenger car rather than a truck or SUV also reduces bounce, thus smoothing the ride.

2. Take Frequent Breaks

Your spine is designed to move, not sit still for hours on end. When driving, don’t forget to stop and stretch every 30 minutes to an hour. According to iSpine’s chronic pain relief experts, movement stimulates circulation and brings oxygen and other nutrients to your lumbar region.

If you can’t make frequent stops, don’t worry. You can still tend to your muscles from inside the car. For instance, try stretching in your seat or shifting your position every 15 to 20 minutes.

3. Understand Driving Ergonomics

If you are driving at any point during the trip, you should optimize your seat, just as you would with any workspace. For starters, sit as close to the steering wheel as possible – without compromising safety – to keep from over-reaching. Also, make sure your spine is flush with the back of the seat. If you need to use a cushion to do so, then ask your back pain specialist which model is best.

4. Use Heat & Cold Therapy

Just because you’re in the car doesn’t mean you can’t take your favorite chronic pain relief treatments with you. In fact, iSpine suggests that all back pain sufferers bring both a cold pack and a heating pad on long trips. Try keeping the former in a cooler near your seat for easy access. For the latter, a converter will let you plug the device into a dashboard power source. 

back pain specialist5. Distract Yourself 

Simply keeping your mind off your back pain can also alleviate your symptoms. If you’re the driver, try listening to a new podcast, music or audiobook. If you’re a passenger, you can read, watch a movie or do a crossword puzzle.

Safe travels this summer! For even more tips to keep your back pain at bay while on the road, visit iSpine Pain Physicians online. To schedule an appointment or discuss your symptoms with one of their experienced back pain specialists, call them at (763) 201-8191 today.

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