The Road Trip Survival Guide: Adjusting Your Car Seat
Summer is finally here, which means it’s time to pack the car and hit the open road. But if you aren’t careful, that scenic 6-hour drive to the lake or the coast can leave your lower back screaming before the vacation even starts.
Sitting in a car is uniquely challenging for your body. Most people have their driver’s seat adjusted for quick trips to the grocery store, not for cross-country endurance. Here is how to dial in your setup for the long haul.
Why Driving Bothers Your Back
Driving combines two things your spine dislikes: prolonged sitting and whole-body vibration. The constant micro-bouncing from the road travels straight up through the seat into your spinal discs. Add in a slouched posture from reaching for the steering wheel, and you have a perfect recipe for muscle fatigue and joint stiffness.
Interactive: The Perfect Seat Setup
Check these off as you adjust your seat before leaving the driveway!
The “Gas Station Reset”
Every time you stop for gas or a bathroom break, stand tall beside the car. Interlace your fingers behind your back. Gently pull your knuckles down toward the ground while lifting your chest up toward the sky. Hold for 5 seconds.
Driving forces your shoulders forward and your chest to cave in. This stretch perfectly reverses that posture, opening the chest and waking up your postural muscles.
When to Seek Care
Feeling a bit stiff after a 4-hour drive is expected. However, if you experience pain that shoots down your leg (sciatica), numbness in your feet, or you find that you cannot stand up straight even 24 hours after reaching your destination, let us know so we can help you get back to enjoying your vacation.
Have questions about travel ergonomics?
We’re here to help you travel comfortably this summer. Feel free to ask about your specific car setup at your next visit!
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