Bank Holiday Getaway travelling – Advice from a leading North London Chiropractor to keep your back safe

Bank holiday weekend is close and it’s a big one!  The August bank holiday weekend is one where all the kids have been off school for weeks and hopefully the weather is great.  Many people decide to go and visit family hundreds of miles across the country, a lot of people decide to go camping or to the seaside.  Whatever it is you are doing this weekend you are likely to be travelling.

As part of my duties as a busy North London Chiropractor I often advise my patients on how to keep their back safe whilst travelling and particularly driving long distances.

How to keep your back safe

Keeping your back safe whilst driving does not only involve posture,  you can do a few things to keep your back in good condition:

Avoid stiffness – You are likely to be stuck in your car for long periods of time this bank holiday weekend, this can mean being in the same position for long periods of time.  You should avoid this by doing shoulder shrugs, buttock clenches and foot circles.  Keeping loose and moving is important to avoiding back pain.

If your seat does not have a lumbar support, you should use a cushion or rolled up sweater to maintain the curve in your lower back.

Take a break – Of course you have to balance the journey time against taking breaks but definitely do not avoid a break.  You should be getting up for a walk every 40 minutes or so but obviously this can be unreasonable on a long journey.  Instead when you do stop for a petrol or food break,  please ensure you go for a brief and brisk walk and make sure you stretch out.  Your body will need it.

Avoid sleeping awkwardly – If you plan on having a nap on your journey (only if you are not driving of course!) then make sure you position yourself well.  What I mean by this is not resting your head against the window and twisting your back.  Invest in a good travel pillow and stay sat upright.

Compensate for your prolonged lack of movement –  When you arrive at your destination be sure to take a good walk and stretch out.  A brisk 20 minute walk will do wonders to avoiding back pain.

If you have any injuries or other concerns please get in touch with us as we offer a lot of help and advice to get you back up and running as soon as possible. You can contact us at the Muswell Hill Chiropractic clinic on 020 8442 008.