There is no doubt that there has been an increase in the number of Brits deciding to spend their leisure time caravanning or motor homing. Not only is this a great way to visit places but it also is a great way to be out in nature, experiencing the outdoors and staying active.
If you are intending on taking to the road this spring our chiropractor at City Chiropractic Clinic in Stoke has some advice that will help you to keep your back safe.
Lift without harming your back
Preparing your car, caravan or motorhome for your trip away involves a lot of heavy lifting, especially if you are travelling with family and/or going away for some time. If you are moving from one location to another frequently during your trip, you’ll find yourself having to lift and carry even more!
Taking care of how you lift items correctly is vital to keeping your back safe. After all, the last thing you want to do is put your back out before you head off on, or even during, your trip.
Following this advice on how to lift while protecting your back will help:
1. Think before you lift
Before lifting an object, think about where you going to take it to and where you are going to put it down. Create as clear a path as possible to your end destination to avoid tripping or having to twist your body while carrying the object.
2. Stand front on to the object
Face the object that you are going to lift front on to avoid twisting your body. Keep your feet shoulder width apart.
3. Bend your knees
Bend your knees as you begin to lift the object and keep your back straight. To minimize the strain on your back, engage your core muscles
4. Keep the object close to your body
Bring the object close to your body and keep it as close to your body as possible.
5. Take your time
Take your time and move carefully towards your destination and avoid twisting your body. To prevent your body twisting, keep your eyeline up.
6. Ask for help
If the object is too heavy or awkward for you to comfortably lift and carry then ask for help.
Remember your back when driving
Travelling in a motorhome or with a caravan can be a lot of fun. However, it’s easy to forget the number of hours you are sitting while driving from place to place.
It’s important to limit the time you are in a seated position, so, plan plenty of breaks in your journey to stop, get out of your vehicle and have a stretch. Our Stoke chiropractors can advise you of stretches which will help you maintain good back health.
As important as taking regular breaks is to ensure that your seating position is optimal for supporting a good posture whilst driving. Our chiropractor shares the following tips for adjusting your driving position to offer more comfort and give you less chance of suffering back pain.
1. Adjust the back rest: Bring the back rest as far forward as is necessary to ensure you have an upright driving position.
2. Adjust the seat height and inclination: Bring it to a height where your knees are below or level with your hips. Adjusting the inclination of the seat may be required to slope the seat downwards. It may be necessary to use a wedged shaped cushion to achieve the desired result.
3. Adjust the steering wheel distance: Move the seat close enough to the steering wheel so that you have a good bend in the elbow when holding the steering wheel.
4. Adjust the headrest: Aim to have the top of the headrest higher than the top of your ears.
5. Adjust the height of the seatbelt: If possible, adjust the height of the seatbelt so that it doesn’t cut into your neck.
Set yourself up for a comfortable night’s sleep
Sleep related issues are often the cause, or contribute to, the back pain experienced by many of the patients who visit our Stoke chiropractic clinic for the first time. In many instances these patients sleep on mattresses that are old or not best suited to them or they have unhealthy sleep habits.
There is nothing surer to spoil your travel experience than poor sleep. It is certainly worth investing in a comfortable mattress for your caravan or motorhome. There are manufacturers who specialize in bespoke bedding and mattresses for caravans and motorhomes. It is worth considering researching the options available if you’re suffering poor sleep or back pain on your travels.
Get a chiropractic check-up before you go
If you haven’t travelled for a while, it’s a good idea to visit a chiropractor for a check-up to ensure your back is in great shape and prepared for traveling. A chiropractor will assess the health of your spine and identify any issues which may cause back pain or impair your mobility.
If they diagnose any problems with your spine, they can deliver a combination of chiropractic treatments, physical therapy, and lifestyle advice to address them.
Visiting Our Chiropractors in Stoke
To book an appointment with one of our chiropractic team call our clinic on 01782 848 184 or you can book online at our website here.