6 ways to avoid pain and discomfort on a road trip

Many a trip continues long after movement in time and space have ceased.

So says author, John Steinbeck.

But no-one wants the memory of their road trip to manifest as aches and pains from sitting to long in the car or bus or taxi.

Here is some advice to avoid discomfort after a long road trip: 

​The annual groot trek to the coastal areas and other holiday destinations is in full swing. 

Many people will be travelling long distances to go home or to go on holiday and they will do it in vehicles of all shapes and sizes - cars, buses, trains, taxis, bakkies etc.

Some forms of transport might be luxurious and other might be more basic.

But one thing is for certain, no vehicle is custom made for every driver and every passenger. There are going to be complaints of discomfort and pain, during and afterwards.

Here are six ideas on how to prevent and / or manage discomfort and pain while on your road trip.

. Be rested when you start out
I know that as the time to go on holiday draws nearer, just  getting to your destination can become an all-consuming desire.

But do the responsible thing and get a good night’s sleep before you take to the road.

Both your body and mind will deal better with sitting and concentrating for such long hours. It will also put you in a better frame of mind.

2. Adjust your seat
Car manufacturers design vehicles for a generic body type. Yet neither yours nor mine, nor for that matter anyone else’s, fit that bill exactly.

Use all the devices available in the vehicle to adjust the seating to your height, leg length, arm length, spinal curvature and levels of flexibility.

• Don’t sit too far back. This will cause your shoulders to become rounded and your shoulder muscles to be stretched long while your chest muscles shorten.
• Don’t sit too close to the steering wheel either, you will have to hunch your shoulders and bend your legs too much.
• Tilt the seat so that your legs reach the pedals without straining.
• Make sure the seat preserve the curve in your lower back.
• Also angle the steering wheel for comfort.
• Make sure the side mirrors and rear-view mirror are set to avoid over-use of your neck muscles. You should not have to tilt your neck back to see or over-stretch to the side. Your chin has to be level at all times.

3. Stop and stretch often
Take frequent breaks – short ones every hour or so but also longer ones to properly rest, use the bathroom and eat a decent meal.

Make sure you don’t just walk as far as the restrooms and restaurant before sitting down again. Take a walk around the petrol station or in the dorp.

Spend two minutes doing a few stretches. Pay particular attention to your hamstrings and hip muscles. And don’t neglect your back, neck and shoulders.

Close your eyes for a few minutes to rest the eye muscles.

4. Drink enough water
A dehydrated body can experience pain more intensely.

Make sure you have bottles with water in the car. Or a flask with rooibos tea.

5. Cushion the curves
Consider investing in a lumbar pillow for your back. It will maintain the natural curve of your lower back.  

6. Mark the trip with a massage
Either enjoy a massage the day before embarking on the road trip or treat yourself to a massage at your destination. Or do both ... you are on holiday after all.

And most importantly get there safely!

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