Holiday Travel Tips to Prevent Back Pain

There’s a lot to look forward to at Thanksgiving time. You get to spend quality time with your family, watch a little football, and eat some really delicious food. One thing that I don’t usually look forward to with the holidays, however, is driving. And if you have a long drive ahead of you, you may wind up feeling sore when you get to your destination. But by following some holiday travel tips, including using better posture, you can prevent back pain and feel better this Thanksgiving. 

Holiday Travel Tips to Try This Thanksgiving 

Take Some Extra Time Off

Thanksgiving and other holidays can feel really stressful if you’re trying to pack too much into a couple of days. If you can afford to, try taking an extra day off before and/or after. This gives you more flexibility for things like packing, preparing dishes, and traveling. When you’re in less of a rush, you’ll feel less anxious when you hit the root. 

Take a Break and Stretch Out

Now that you’re on the road and going at your own pace, you won’t have to feel pressured to push through and make a long trip in one shot. If your drive is more than a couple of hours, build in some time to pull off at a gas station or rest stop. Even if you don’t need to top up your tank or hit the restroom, you should take a couple of minutes and stretch your neck, back, arms, and legs. This will help prevent back pain from traveling that could sideline you before you make it to the front door. 

Use Correct Driving Posture

One of the very best holiday tips you can follow is to make sure that you’re practicing correct driving posture. You know all about ergonomics in the workplace, and a lot of those same rules apply when you’re at the steering wheel. Position your seat so that it’s at a proper height and distance from the wheel,  be aware of things like how you hold your neck and hips, and don’t slouch! Using the correct posture can prevent back pain even on longer drives. 

Get Pain Relief at Markson Chiropractic 

Even keeping these holiday travel tips in mind, you may still come away from a long drive feeling sore. That’s where we come in. The team at Markson Chiropractic in Plantation, FL, is here to help you feel fit, reduce stress, and prevent back pain and other unwanted aches. Schedule your post-Thanksgiving appointment and let’s talk turkey!