Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

Although the act of sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle or riding as a passenger isn’t viewed as a very physical activity, being forced to remain in a seated position for an extended period of time can take a toll on your spine. In fact, many patients say that they dread traveling long distances by vehicle or they avoid it at all costs because of the back pain that comes with it. We want you to be able to travel comfortably despite your back issues, so in today’s blog, we talk about some of the things you can do to make car travel easier on your spine.

Reducing Back Pain When In A Car

Preventing and managing back pain that tends to flare up during car travel begins before you ever set foot in the car. Let’s take a closer look at some of the things you can do before you get in a car to reduce the likelihood that car travel will cause problems for your spine.

• Stay Active – Be active when you’re not forced to be inactive. You’re not going to be able to move freely when you’re in a car, so take advantage of these opportunities when you’re not in a vehicle. Strive to live an active life to strengthen and mobilize your spine so that structures aren’t as impacted by the static stress that is put on them when you’re in a car seat for long stretches.
• Targeted Exercise – Take it one step further and try to strengthen your spine and its supportive structures with a targeted exercise or physical therapy program. Again, the stronger your spine is and the more stress it can comfortably handle, the less you’ll notice the impact of being forced to remain seated when traveling in a car.
• Weight Management – Working towards a healthier weight can take a fair amount of strain off your spine, even when you’re in a seated position. If you pair activity with improved dietary choices, there’s a good chance you’ll shed a little weight, and that will have a positive impact on your spine.
• Stretch – Do some daily stretching and take a few minutes to stretch your head and neck before you get in a vehicle to help these supportive tissues become more flexible and capable of handling extended periods of static stress.

You can also work to protect your spine once you’re in the car. We recommend:

• Investing In Supportive Devices – Invest in a neck pillow or a small cushion that you can place behind the small of your back to support your spine and make it easier for you to have ideal posture when you’re in the car.
• Take Anti-Inflammatories – Take an over-the-counter anti inflammatory or muscle relaxer to get ahead of your discomfort for particularly long car rides. Take these in advance of getting in the car so that they are more effective while you’re seated.
• Stretch When Possible – For particularly long road trips, there’s a good chance that you’ll need to stop for gas, food and bathroom breaks. Really utilize these stops. Get up and move, stretch your spine and work to relieve this built up static muscular stress. Take advantage of any opportunity to move.
• Stay Hydrated – Drink plenty of water while you’re in the car, as this will help blood vessels remain open so that healthy blood can more easily circulate. This will help ward off discomfort caused by spinal muscle cramps.

Contact Dr. Sinicropi – Expert Minnesota Spine Surgeon

Of course, for hands-on assistance managing whatever spinal issues are causing you discomfort in a car, take some time to connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute. We’ll sit down with you, discuss your symptoms, conduct a physical exam and take any necessary imaging measures to build a patient profile and develop an individualized care plan. For more information on how we can assist with any aspect of your care, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today at (651) 430-3800.

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