If your job or familial responsibilities require you to drive long distances on a regular basis, here are some health tips that you might find useful.
Visit a chiropractor if you start to experience pain in your tailbone
Due to the fact that long-distance drivers spend long periods of time sitting down in the same position on a regular basis, they are more susceptible to coccydynia (otherwise known as tailbone pain) than most people. The constant pressure that you place on this area when you drive for hours at a time can cause the tailbone itself, as well as the tissues that surround it, to become chronically inflamed.
If you develop this problem, it's important to go to a chiropractor as soon as possible. Without treatment, this issue is unlikely to go away. In addition to being unpleasant, the pain could draw your attention away from the road when you're driving and in doing so, could increase the chances of you making a mistake that could result in an accident.
A chiropractor can assess your spine and determine if there are any alignment issues which are placing excessive amounts of strain on your coccyx. If there are, they may be able to correct these issues during your appointment. Additionally, they may assess your posture when you are sitting down, and offer advice on what adjustments you need to make to your sitting position, in order to lessen the pressure that is placed on your tailbone when you drive.
Avoid abrupt braking wherever possible
There are circumstances in which it is absolutely essential to slam down on your vehicle's brakes (such as when an animal leaps out in front of your car, for example). However, it is best to avoid braking too abruptly wherever possible. When you hit the brake pedal very suddenly, your neck and head can end up being jerked violently back and forth. This movement can result in a number of serious health issues. For example, it may cause whiplash, a condition in which the tendons and ligaments in the neck sustain serious damage.
In more extreme cases, abrupt braking can cause a traumatic brain injury, which can then lead to a whole host of health problems, such as difficulties with speech, memory and mood stability. As such, it is important to use your vehicle's brakes gently.
As you can see, there are many things you can do to be a better driver and take care of yourself. Consider applying these tips to enjoy your long drives.
