Driving with a Herniated Disc
Driving with a herniated disc can be one of the most miserable activities, regardless of where the disc condition exists in the spine. Driving requires extensive periods of seated posture which is a real ordeal for many patients with a
herniated disc in the lower back.
Additionally, driving requires constant head movement, which can spell disaster for anyone with a
herniated disc in the neck.Driving with a Herniated Disc StressDriving puts physical stress on your body, creating a particularly cruel form of sitting herniated disc pain for lumbar disc sufferers. It also creates repetitive head motions which can really create some serious neck pain in patients with a cervical disc condition. Driving with a Herniated Disc SolutionMost people can not simply stop driving. They must find some way to cope with their pain and minimize time spent in the car seat. However, this is not always possible or practical for many herniated disc patients. Remember that sitting is not inherently bad for the back and herniated discs do not usually cause pain. Sitting is a natural posture for humans and herniations are a virtually expected part of normal spinal aging. Why then do so many people suffer pain while driving?Well, as previously mentioned, the mind/body interactions experienced while driving are often very emotionally charged. Ischemia is known to be worse when patients sit or lie down, which helps to explain why so many people suffer worse symptomatic expressions in positions which should be restful and relaxing. It is crucial to understand that although herniated discs are often blamed for the pain, ischemia is the actual source to blame in the vast majority of diagnosed individuals. Driving with a Herniated Disc AdviceDriving is always going to be a source of pressure in your life. Traffic, road rage, bad drivers, poorly kept roads and mechanical breakdowns are par for the course. Learning to understand the inner workings of the mind and how they can create back pain is the best solution. Forget adjusting that car seat ad nauseum… does it ever really help anyway???!!! NO.I recommend knowledge therapy for most patients with chronic pain of any variety or location. Driving related back ache is a strong indicator of an emotional component to the pain. Accepting this connection is half the battle and curing the pain is actually easy, once this emotional link is comprehended at a deeper level… Driving with a Herniated Disc to Herniated Disc 9/7/09 Revised 7/18/11 |
Sensei Adam Rostocki
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