Tips for people with back pain

Perhaps it's obvious, but different cars have differently shaped seats. It may be worth your time to go to various car dealers and see if you can convince them to let you spend a few hours in the seat of various makes and models; perhaps you'll find one that's less aggravating.

Maybe also try travel by train? Chicago is about as ideal of a jumping off place for a train trip as anywhere in the US, what with it being a key Amatrak hub. Trains allow you to get up and move around much more freely than cars, planes, or RVs.

Take some napoxen before your drive. Back pain is not fun. Keep the drives shorter also. You have to keep trying stuff untill you find something that helps you. Unfortunately, everyones problums are diffrent as are the cures. Good luck.

I suffered from back pain for 46 years, having been diagnosed at age 20. My doctor told me surgery was my only option, but wait till back surgery was more refined. So at age 66, I found a wonderful surgeon. Had my surgery and for the first time in my adult life, I'm out of pain. I ended up with 3 fusions, 2 rods, 6 screws, and 2 cages. I feel none of that and haven't had a pain pill since my surgery 3 years ago.

If surgery isn't an option and you certainly don't want to take pain killers and drive, I suggest as others have, to drive fewer hours, stop often to walk around a bit. Also, and I do this now, wear a back brace. I don't wear it for pain, but it keeps me upright and prevents slouching which contributes to pain and discomfort. I actually have two that I use. I had one I purchased years ago and then my surgeon's PT gave me one.

If you want a surgery opinion, I used a doctor in Indianapolis. He was wonderful and I knew people who had had surgeries done by him. I see you are in Chicago, so that's not far. If you are interested, PM me. My sister is waiting on an appointment for him as we speak. She is looking at surgery and her grandson is as well. He is a neurologist and neurosurgeon. Don't go to those spine doctors who advertise on TV.

I had an inversion table, a home gym, had tried shots, pills, PT, massage, acupuncture, etc. You name it, I tried it. When I saw the doctor, he said. . . surgery is the only cure. He was right. I was hesitant about going under the knife due to all the horror stories, but I was to the point where walking was difficult and impossible at times, I limped badly, and had hip problems due to the limping. So glad I had the surgery.

Dale

Now I do not know enough about your back problems to make a strong suggestion but I do know about mine... I've had a couple of falls in the 16 foot range (you hit the ground at about 20 MPH when you fall that far) one causing a break to two vertebra (L1 and 2) and have had increasing back pain for 30-40 years that I'm sure of (The falls were closer to 45 years ago)

Now Traction (I thought) would help.. I know back belts weight belts and such helped. but I felt Traction would do better.

There are two Traction systems I choose one.

One is the "inversion" devices like the Teeter Hangups.. Big Bulky and ONLY traction

The one I choose is the Dr. Ho Belt.. This is a compresson belt with air bladders YOu pump it up and it provides both compression support AND traction.

Works fairly well... Not 100% cured but I'm way more comfortable now

Will this help you... I do not know, since as I said I don't know the cause of your back pain.

me too ,we stop every two hours strech and walk . helps

Take shorter trips to cut down on seat time.