How to Alleviate Back Pain for Truck Drivers

Dealing With Back Pain is Common Among Truck Drivers

One of the most common problems that plague truck drivers is chronic back pain. Even if it isn’t severe, back pain is a challenge to deal with and makes your driving experience uncomfortable.  Sitting for long periods stiffens your neck, back, and shoulder muscles. Merely performing a few stretches now and then won’t be enough to get rid of the pain. You need to find the source and remedy it.

You can take active steps to decrease or eliminate truck driver back pain. By using the right support tools and taking appropriate measures, you can enhance your driving experience and feel better overall. Use these tips to help alleviate truck driver back pain and create a smoother driving experience.

5 Tips for Combating Back Pain Aggravated by Driving

These tips can help those who suffer from back pain symptoms associated with long hours of driving. Any of the following can cause truck driver back pain over time:

• Loading and unloading heavy shipments
• Chronic vibration of the truck
• Improper posture
• Irritation of the muscles or joints
• Previous back injury
• Poorly-designed seat and truck interior

It doesn’t matter whether you’re sitting in an office or driving an 18-wheeler or semi-truck. If you sit for long periods, you’re bound to slouch.

Pay attention to how you sit and gently ease yourself to the back of your seat often. Use pillows if necessary. Keep your elbows close to your body and your hands on the 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock position on the steering wheel. You should also stretch often and get out of your seat when you can.

If you have dull pain, using ice can ease the throbbing and discomfort that comes with it. Ice also comes in handy if you’ve suffered a previous back injury. It soothes irritated muscles and reduces joint inflammation.

Rest not only keeps you more alert, but you also need it to repair the damage that your body sustains during the day. Getting proper rest means sleeping on a mattress and getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep. You’ll give your body time to heal, and you’ll be less likely to slouch from fatigue.

Not all big trucks are comfortable, and you feel it most in the driver’s seat. All seats need adjustments based on your height and body mass, but sometimes even that isn’t enough.

If you’ve taken all the steps to ensure that your seat is comfortable, but it still causes you pain, look into a seat replacement. Once you have a seat that helps your posture and allows you to drive correctly, you’ll notice a difference in the pain.

As a truck driver, you’ve probably seen this tip countless times, but people recommend it because it works. Regular exercise doesn’t just help you manage your weight; it also strengthens and tones your muscles.

You’ll also have better flexibility and eliminate stiffness in your neck and shoulders. Since exercise helps you kick bad habits and boosts your muscle health, it also relieves pain and loosens your muscles and joints.

Although occasional back pain is part of the job, when it becomes a chronic problem, it affects the quality of your life and your career in the truck industry. Take it easy and don’t accept jobs that you know are too much for you to handle. Finding the source of your back pain and eliminating it goes a long way to improve your truck driving experience.

Were You Injured in a Commercial Truck Accident? Let Us Help!

Your truck accident could be the result of mechanical, driver, or manufacturer negligence. If you were injured you need a good West Houston truck injury law firm. Joe Stephens can get to the bottom of your injury or wrongful death case in Texas. With over 30 years of experience, you can trust Joe Stephens to get results.

Types of Trucking Accidents We Handle in West Houston and Across Texas:

• Jackknife Accidents
• Truck Rollovers
• Tire Blowouts
• Truck Driver DWI
• Wide Turn Accidents
• Blind Spot Accidents
• Read End Accidents
• Brake Failure
• Underride Accidents
• Lost Load Accidents
• Head-on Collisions
• T-Bone Collisions

West Houston Truck Accident Lawyer

You Need an Experienced Truck Accident Law Firm

When your case requires the skill and knowledge of the best auto injury lawyer in West Houston, Joe Stephens should be your first choice. Having tried over 100 verdict cases successfully, he has a stalwart reputation for working diligently for his clients. Cases involving big truck collisions can be very complex and present difficulty proving negligence of the truck driver, the trucking company, or both. Also, if you lost someone in a truck accident, you will need the help of a negligent death lawyer in West Houston like Joe Stephens. Joe’s experience with these cases allows him to get right to the heart of the matter, his clients’ rights and owed compensation.