Travel in Comfort; not Pain

There’s still quite a bit of road trip season left this summer.  But are you dreading your drive because you always get to your destination with some serious back pain?  You’re exhausted, and all you did was sit?  There’s a cure for that!

Traveling should be fun.  They say that getting there is half the adventure.  But that adventure sometimes means handfuls of pain relievers and discomfort the whole trip.  Here at Big Sky Collision Center we want you to have the most enjoyable time in your vehicle possible; it’s how we strive to be the best collision repair center in Montana.

If you often end up with back pain because of travel, these tips are for you!

Sit up Straight!

Your mother likely got after you as a kid to sit up straight.  That wasn’t just her nitpicking, there’s a reason for it!  Our backs are designed to be in alignment; when we sit up straight (actually close to it) the pressure is alleviated and our muscles don’t have to constantly be holding our spine in the right place.

Get in a comfortable upright position, and avoid the temptation to slouch.

Stretch it Out

There are two types of travelers: those that want to get there, and those that enjoy the trip.  If you’re the former, you’ll have a hard time with this one.  If you’re the latter, more stops are better!  We need to move.  We need to get out, stretch our legs, get a little exercise, twist, bend, and turn.

Frequent stops, and frequent position changes, will help you to avoid muscle fatigue.

Ice Down the Muscles

Ice works wonders on sore muscles.  It will numb the area causing immediate relief and it will reduce inflammation, causing longer term relief.  Don’t think that more ice is better though.  Only apply the cold for about 20 minutes, then off for about 20.  Bonus that in the summer you won’t need to crank the AC quite as high.

You can alternate ice and warm to keep the muscles from tightening and becoming inflamed.

Use Lumbar Support

Many modern vehicles come with adjustable lumbar support.  If you have one of those, use it!  A simple adjustment can mean the difference between arriving refreshed, and arriving in pain.  For those of us that don’t have the pleasure of that amenity, a rolled up towel can take the place.

Find the right thickness that works for you, and stick with it.

Empty Your Pockets

Pockets are great for keeping your wallet, keys, phone, and other peripherals nearby when you’re out and about.  But those bulky items stuffed into them can cause some problems when you’re sitting for long periods of time.  Especially items like a wallet that make you sit “crooked.”

A short trip and you won’t notice anything, but longer trips will throw you off and cause discomfort.  Simply put it all in the center console and enjoy the comfort of the seat.

Stay Hydrated

There’s a fine line between staying hydrated and having to stop every 30 minutes to use the bathroom.  Our bodies require water to function properly.  When we are hydrated, it’s as though we’re a well-oiled machine; aches and pains are staved off.  When we let ourselves become dehydrated, the old joints begin to creak.

Sip on water as you drive to keep everything ache free.

 

Bring Your Dents to Big Sky Collision Center

We can’t do much about your aching back after a long road trip except to tell you the name of a chiropractor or two.  But if you happen to collide with a deer, scrape another vehicle, bump into a post, or worse, we can fix your vehicle back to full factory safety standards.

Ready to have those repairs completed?  Give us a call at 406-259-6328