Vacationers Find Comfort Behind the Wheel: How to Decrease Back Pain

After driving for hours without stopping, the pressure has finally caught up with you and you feel it in your back. While the children sit restless arguing over the last candy bar, the stress sinks into your back like dozens of needles and your muscles begin to tense.

Long distance, vacation travel can cause irritable back pain. The vibrations felt during the ride can result in a painful vacation and any awkward positioning during the long drive can lead to aching joints. Maintaining good posture throughout the road trip is important to keep your back stress-free. As summer approaches, families prepare to journey across the country to enjoy sunbathing, water skiing, wildlife adventures and other vacation destinations. To avoid being interrupted by aggravating back pain, follow these easy, self-help driving tips and enjoy your summer vacation.

Vacation Driving Tips:

· Stop every 30 to 45 minutes and walk for two minutes to exercise your spine and stretch your muscles.

· If your car doesn’t have a lumbar support try rolling a towel or pillow up and placing it behind the small of your back.

· Keep your shoulders back to use good posture when driving and help eliminate back pain.

“Vacationers flying long distances could also experience back pain,” said, Sharon J. Gibbs, M.D., physiatrist with the Texas Back Institute. “All long distance travelers should be aware of ways to avoid back discomfort and take steps to prevent back pain.”

Texas Back Institute, Plano, Texas: As one of the nation's largest spine clinics, the Texas Back Institute is the expert in solutions for back pain. Founded in 1978, the Texas Back Institute has always recommended non-surgical treatments because we know they work best to relieve pain in most patients. The professional staff includes board-certified orthopedic surgeons with spine fellowship training, general surgeons, general medicine physicians, internists, chiropractors, physiatrists, pain specialists, exercise physiologists and a team of physical and occupational therapists. From non-operative spine care to surgery, the Texas Back Institute offers chiropractic care, diagnostic procedures, fitness services, pain management, patient education, physical therapy, research and return-to-work programs including work conditioning and work hardening. To learn more about the Texas Back Institute and to obtain free updates and helpful back tips, go to www.texasback.com or call 1-800-247-BACK. Texas Back Institute's with offices in Denton, Fort Worth, Garland, Greenville, Hurst, Midland, Plano, TX and Phoenix, AZ. For additional information, visit the Texas Back Institute website at www.texasback.com

MEDIA CONTACT
For more information, contact Meredith Falke, (214) 891-7795 meredith_falke@richards.com

Consumer phone number: 1-800-247-BACK