Back Pain

Stretching is one thing you can do to help with that. It would be really hard to explain the stretches that I do for my back. I'll give it a shot though. One that you could try is to lay flat on your back with your knees bent. Take one ankle and rest in on the opposite knee, grab that knee and pull towards your chest and hold for a few seconds. Then reverse. Make sure that you do actually take short breaks every few hours, and at least get out of your truck and walking, even if it is just at a rest area for a stroll to the restroom and back.

I have disc degeneration, and am no longer driving because of that, but it is not at the point of needing surgery yet. That stretch is one that I was taught in physical therapy. My physical therapy keeps me fairly pain free, but I still have bad days. I'm having a bad one today.

 

I was taking aspirin back and body, only problem is if you do any heavy lifting after taking it, it doesn't hurt. But after the medicine wears off it hurts like a ##### ......

 

1) make sure your seat is adjusted properly. Your thighs should rest on the seat and be parallel to the floor. If the seat is too low, you put extra pressure farther back. If the seat is too high, the pressure moves forward - in either case, your lower back has to bear unneeded stress.

2) Stop the truck every few hours and get out. Even if you just walk around the truck.

3) make sure there's nothing in your hip pockets while you drive. even a thin wallet induces lateral stress to the spine.

4) If you can, use your cruise control. Use the cruise time to move your feet around - stretch your legs out, curl them under (as best you can).

5) relax. at least, as best you can when surrounded by idiots with 2000 pound weapons.

6) make sure your bunk is suitable. Lumpy and broken down mattresses don't help your back at all. Neither does (generally) a soft mattress.

7) check your driver's seat for inoperative support bags (assuming it has them, of course) If back support on one side works and the other side doesn't...

8 ) make sure the driver's seat is centered on the steering column. A lot of them are not. If it isn't, talk to the shop and see if they can/will adjust it.

 

I don't use medicine for the problem.. it can just make it worse because pain is there for a reason.. To let you know there is a problem.. Anyways as mentioned I stretched.. lot of toe touches and twist.. Before, during and after... Evey time you stop driving in your truck stretch.. While driving in the seat try twisting side to side.. (be careful don't crash)

 

I had compression of the lower back after I got shot down. I can drive for 10 or 11 hours non-stop, but find standing on hard surfaces unbearable. A lumbar support is the best thing for your back, I keep my lumbar inflated quite hard, armrests also work wonders, I had a Freightliner Classic XL that was built to Werner specs. it didn't have arm rests, and within 20 minutes of climbing in the seat I had unbearable neck pain. I almost quit my job over that POS truck. Make sure you properly adjust your seat.

 

Lurch is right WALK every chance you get..... I ruptured disk 3-4 in 1995...bouncin down the road can be rough so I walk abt 30 min every time I can. When I hurt the most is when I HAVE to walk I stay limber and take tylenol for arthritus when it gets bad. also sit ups help strengthen the back....I have "thrown it out about 3 times since 95 and let me tell you that hurt bad I usually can't walk for about a week.....not even to the bathroom...so do all ya can to take care of the problem with excercise and take off any extra weight ya can too.

 

Do you have low back pain? Try laying on your stomach and do like a push-up only making sure your waist stays on the floor and you fully extend your arms. And use a heat pack (like a bed buddy-works great), you can also use this as a lumbar while you drive to force yourself to sit up not slouch.

 

ohh yea, armrests rule!!!