Steer away from back pain with these X tips from BackShield to help truck drivers just like you (or any driver) avoid chronic back pain.
An investment in an ergonomic seat cushion or back support device like BackShield can go a long way towards giving your back the proper support and posture it needs…
Truck drivers spend countless hours sitting in the same position all day long when the human body is meant to stay moving around naturally. This is why, when it comes to truck driving, muscle and back pain are seemingly inevitable occupational hazards for this one simple reason.
That being said, at some point or another, every truck driver will experience some degree of back pain, but there are simple tips you can try to deal with this pain, or take steps to mitigate it. Let’s jump into 3 easy tips to help you avoid chronic back pain, to make you better prepared for the next time you hit the road.
Tip #1: Get proper support for your back
An investment in an ergonomic seat cushion or back support device like BackShield can go a long way towards giving your back the proper support and posture it needs to help fight the discomfort, stress and pain that comes with truck driving, especially with standard truck seats. Talk about no support!
A small investment in a simple and easy to use back support device can help bring your back into a healthier posture, provide proper support and provide an immediate difference in comfort while driving.
This back support device will help you drive for much longer stretches of time without the feeling of discomfort, pain or lower back strain. Not to mention, it will also make you feel much better when you finally stop driving and step out of your truck.
Tip #2: Make sure to properly adjust your seat
So regardless of if you choose to invest in proper back support or not, this tip is one that anyone can implement. It might sound obvious, but you would be surprised how many drivers spent hours driving on the road in an incorrect position. By making sure you properly adjust your seat before hitting the road, can help assure your back is properly aligned, you are not straining any muscles and you have the support you need to make it to where you are going.
If you find yourself driving with your legs straight out, pull your seat in a few inches to create a natural bend in your knees. Straight legs might be putting too much strain on your sciatic nerve which could be contributing to your chronic back pain. The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest nerve that runs from the lower spine to the back of the leg. When this nerve is strained, it can cause pain to occur from your back all the way to your toes.
Make sure you don’t forget about your shoulders and allow them to rest comfortably against the seat while sitting up straight. Far too many driver lean forward over the steering wheel to stretch or alleviate pressure but this can cause you pull muscles in the wrong direction contributing to poor posture and back pain.
Tip #3: Exercise at rest stops
You don’t need to overexert yourself, but when you arrive at rest stops a quick stretch or brisk walk can go a long way in helping prevent or alleviate chronic back pain. If you’re feeling up to it, give your body a good workout. You can even consider trying a little bit of yoga to help your body overall.
When you are seating in the same position for too long, your body’s muscles cramp so stretching is essential and don’t just stretch the legs. Remember your whole body has been sitting, so make sure to pay attention to every part of the body arms, legs, next, back, head all included.
By implementing these 3 simple tips, you can help avoid chronic back pain the next time you hit the road and steer yourself on the direction towards overall back health. When chronic back pain does happen, rest, relax and don’t forget to ice.
