People
go crazy on wheels. Smooth roads make people travel for hours during vacations.
Apart from that, a car’s comfort is far better than traveling on public
transport. All these come with health challenges. Sitting for hours behind the
wheel takes its toll on health. The spinal cord and back are the most prone due
to sitting behind the wheels for hours.
Car
manufacturing companies come with various offers to sell their products. With
millions of cars on the roads, it has become a commuting nightmare within the
cities. Traffic jams are common in metros where commuting a few kilometers
takes hours.
Symptoms
and back pain
A
person sitting for hours behind the wheel may have back pain and fatigue
symptoms. This apart neck sprain, back pain, and the spinal cord add to the
woes.
Poor
posture and slouching can aggravate an already painful back. The shoulder,
neck, and back may experience stress and achiness. Long commuting hours while
on the wheels bring in muscle stiffness. The younger population may experience
osteoarthritis and spinal stenosis. With aging, the symptoms can aggravate.
Acute back pain to sub-acute and chronic back pain may occur.
Uncomfortable
driver’s seat, along with poor posture, can make things complicated. A body is
not accustomed to being in one place longer. Sitting in one place for more
extended hours adds to the worries. Some use cushions above the driver’s seat.
Not placing the cushions correctly takes a toll on the back.
Driving
needs constant focus on roads to avoid accidents. Positioning the neck forward
for a longer duration leads to a sprain. It may lead to Ankylosing
Spondylitis or chronic neck pain.
Preventive
measures
The way
an individual sits in the car has a significant impact on comfort. Adjusting
the seat in various ways can make one comfortable. Avoiding slouching and
keeping the steering close to the body can have a lot of impact. Lumbar support
is another way to prevent back pain. Some modern cars have heated seats that give
much-needed relief and reduce back pain—taking a break while driving can
provide much-needed relief.
People
with spondylitis can drive cars but with precautions. It is advisable to halt
repeatedly and take a quick walk around. Unique mirrors and parking sensors can
be considered.
Things
get out of hand when people ignore the initial symptoms. A doctor may suggest
completely avoiding driving to help mitigate the crisis. Physiotherapy and
regular back exercises will also help in the long run.
Fixing
issues
The
human body has its limitations on how it functions. Driving is an art, and
overdoing it can lead to catastrophic results. The craze leads to health
conditions beyond repair. Being comfortable on the wheels and avoiding driving
in case of back pain will help in the long run. A growing economic spurt has
made Indians vie for the latest cars. Traveling in an air-conditioned car is a
dream for many. People with severe back pain may consider traveling by public
transport.
