Your Commute May Be Killing Your Back
By Virginia Laird
Are you one of the happy millions who commute at least an hour to work? You may enjoy the time you have to prepare yourself in the mornings for work. And you may love the time you have to decompress after work. I commuted for several years myself. I actually enjoyed the opportunity to get whatever was bothering me off my mind. Once I got home, I was able to focus only on home and my sweet family. However, the time spent in the car can take its toll on your back. How can back pain be prevented when making this drive? Or is this simply a fact of life that you must live with when making the choice to commute? Fortunately there are a few things you can do to ease the pain and stress on your spine.
Use a Lumbar Support
There are a number of lumbar supports available. The more support you can have while driving, the less you may feel the need to hunch over while driving. Ask your chiropractor for more assistance in selecting the appropriate support for your back.
Adjust Your Seat Properly
There is some magic to the way you adjust your seat. Although some cars do not have the ability to adjust so that you will be sitting perfectly, the closer you get to the correct sitting position, the better your back will feel. The best way to sit is with the hips level to the knees. Lower cars make this more difficult. But when this is possible, it does allow your body to be in line accordingly. This reduces the stress on the spine.
Reduce Your Stress
A commute can add a great amount of stress. Traffic, accidents, weather and car trouble can all add up to a stressful situation. Your chiropractor can help reduce your stress level. As you get adjustments, your body is able to release tension in the muscles. Some research suggests that routine visits to a chiropractor can help to maintain a lower level of stress in your life.
Lighten Your Mood
As you have the many interruptions that a commute may provide to your life, you may find your mood heading south. A great way to improve and manage this is to visit a chiropractor regularly. As the spine is adjusted, function is restored to the body. This may allow you to be more noticeably on the happier side.
For more information about your health and wellness, visit your local The Joint Chiropractic.