Truck drivers often experience lower back pain from driving. While it may not be life-threatening, it is painful and can have a significant impact on the quality of their lives. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of the root causes of this problem. We’ll also discuss what you can do to help prevent or alleviate lower back pain from driving.
Lower Back Pain From Driving: Causes
There are many potential causes for lower back pain when you’re driving, but some of the most common include the following:
Sitting for Extended Periods of Time
Truck drivers often spend many hours seated in the same position. This puts a lot of strain on their bodies and is one of the primary causes of lower back pain from driving.
Mainly, this is because subjecting your body to one position for a long time leads to muscle fatigue and compresses your spinal discs.
The same is true if you’re not getting good sleep on a quality mattress.
Bad Posture
Very few people manage to successfully maintain an appropriate posture. Many truck drivers either slouch or lead forward in their seats. This leads to imbalances in their muscles and puts additional strain on their lower backs.
Exposure to Constant Vibrations
Because they spend so much time on the road, truckers are consistently exposed to the vibrations caused by the road and the engine. This can quickly lead to discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, it also has a tendency to turn into chronic back pain, rather than just a temporary bout of pain.
Improper Lifting Techniques
Depending on the contract they have, and their general personality, truck drivers may be involved in loading and unloading their trucks. As a truck driver, you’re often responsible for transporting heavy cargo and freight. If you don’t know how to lift correctly, this can easily lead to back damage.
These are just a few of the things that lead to lower back pain from driving. Unfortunately, there are many other habits and mistakes that can easily lead to back pain.
Common Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
While you may think that this seems like a fairly obvious list, lower back pain from driving doesn’t present the same way in everybody. Here’s a list of common symptoms to look out for:
- Lower back pain: This can range from a sharp stabbing feeling to a dull ache or throbbing discomfort.
- Muscle tightness and aches: This pain can be felt around the muscles that support your spine.
- Sciatica: This radiating pain travels down one or both legs, often into the buttocks.
- Numbness or tingling: This can be felt in your legs, feet, or buttocks.
- Reduced movement in your back and hips: This stiffness might make it harder to bend, twist, or stand up straight.
- Possible signs of disc problems: This includes bulging or herniated discs in your spine.
How to Prevent Lower Back Pain from Driving
Fortunately, back pain is an enemy that can be conquered. Here are some tips that you can take to help ensure that your back suffers as little pain and discomfort as possible.
Practice Good Posture
Bad posture is one of the major culprits when it comes to back pain. If you can teach yourself to sit upright, without slouching or leading forward, it will significantly reduce the strain on your back.
Unfortunately, sitting habits are often the result of years of thoughtless action. This can make them difficult to correct. However, if you can’t manage to sit correctly of your own volition, you can always use a posture brace. This tool fits over your shoulder and around your waist, pulling your back into an upright and correct posture.
Proper Mirror Adjustment
If you’re constantly having to bend your back and neck at odd angles to see in your mirrors, it can easily have an adverse effect on your back and spine. That’s why it’s so vital to ensure that your mirrors are correctly set before you leave on your route.
Take Regular Breaks and Exercise
It’s important to take regular breaks, even if it’s not time for sleeping. These should be active breaks, involving movement, not sitting or standing in one place. This allows your back to stretch out and helps alleviate pain. Having a targeted stretching routine for your back will also help.
It’s worth considering a regular exercise routine for when you’re not on the road, as it may help strengthen your muscles and make you more limber.
How to Treat Lower Back Pain from Driving
If you do experience back pain from driving, there are several ways you can treat it.
Heat Packs or Ice Packs
Heat and ice packs are both effective means of combating back pain. Alternating between the two will likely give you the best results. The heat packs relax your muscles while the ice packs help to ease any inflammation in the spinal area.
Painkillers and Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories may be required in cases of moderate to severe back pain. However, there’s always a risk of addiction, and it’s best not to turn to medication until after you’ve seen a medical professional.
Use Lumbar Support and Compression Devices
Compression garments and lumbar braces can give your back a boost by providing extra support. This can help prevent injuries from heavy lifting and even improve your posture while driving.
You may also consider using ergonomic seat cushions and backrests to make your drive more comfortable.
Final Thoughts
Lower back pain from driving is a common problem in the trucking industry. However, with a few basic changes you can combat it successfully.
One way of doing this is by getting good sleep during your resting hours. You can turn to Truck Parking Club to help you find parking spaces with amenities. Getting quality sleep is essential in the trucking industry, and it’s worth trying a truck lot or stop that has more amenities you can use. You can also consider sleeping in hotels or motels.
The information published herein is for general informational purposes only. Truck Parking Club does not make any representations or warranties about the completeness, reliability, legality, and accuracy of this information. Any reliance placed on such material is strictly at the user’s own risk. Truck Parking Club shall not be responsible for any losses or damages incurred in connection with the information published herein.
