Shoulder / Neck Tightness

calling your mother a lot lizard isn't nice

 

Granted I broke my neck and had it pretty much rebuilt but with my size and this Volvo being so much smaller than the freight shaker has me finding he trick to it also.

 

I know this will sound strange, but I fixed my stiff neck and shoulder problem by getting a better pillow to sleep on. I agree with the others about posture. Best way to remedy this is correct driving posture and getting out of that truck at least for five minutes every 150 miles or so. I used this time to check my lights and tires. A doctor told me that stiffness is your muscles sending you a message.

 

This is also very good advise. Make sure your sleeping situation is in order. If you are in a company truck it is likely you are issued a mattress that is less than optimal. My advise is to go to Walmart and invest $80 in a 2" Memory Foam mattress topper. This makes a HUGE difference in sleeping comfort, especially if you are team driving. Figure out your pillow situation as well. Don't scrimp on sleeping arrangements.

When I got back into trucking about three years ago I faced an excruciating situation with my left leg and lower back, from driving company trucks that had seats designed for titanium #####. After investing $200 in a variety of seat cushions I finally found the answer in the Magic Gel seat cushion, then took the gel cushion out of the cover and took scissors to snip away and customize it. The MG cushion cost $80, so a total of almost $300 to solve a problem that threatened to end my trucking career.

It may take a while before your pain goes away after you figure out the solution. It took about 3-4 months after I did the MG thing before I was no longer walking like a cripple.

 

Keep your feet off the dash and don't try to drive laying down

 

KryOn, are you using your armrests? Adjusting your tilt during drivetime? Doing some stretches thru the drive cycle? I use a weight, exercise for a while, use the armrests, stretch, pushups if there's a clean piece of pavement nearby, and still get some upper back/neck discomfort, but very manageable. The stretching and armrests should ease your symptoms quickly.

 

I isolated the seat from the fore/aft motion of the cab. Disable the seat forward and backward adjustment lock so that the seat floats free on the rails. Spray the rails with WD-40. Use tarp straps to prevent the seat from bumping the end of its adjustment limits. This personal modification is necessary because factory "chugger-snubbers" are not adequate. If other drivers drive your truck, you may have to disable your modification for them. They may think they do not have control when they are floating. Get used to it, it is your neck. You are just along for the ride anyway, and not required to be bolted to the cab. Fasten your seat belt to the seat, not to the cab.

 

I would venture a guess that you are reclined back in your seat. Sit more upright and let the seat back support your upper body. Also, use a lumbar pillow. It will reposition your back and help take some pressure off of your shoulders and neck.