Holiday Drivers: Protect Your spine and Stay Alert During Long Trips
As the Chuseok holiday approaches and long-distance driving increases, health experts are urging motorists to prioritize spine health and road safety. Prolonged driving can exacerbate spinal imbalances, leading to chronic low back and neck/shoulder pain.
According to Kang Kyung-jung, a professor of orthopedic surgery at Kyung Hee University Hospital, “In the sitting position, the weight is not distributed by the legs, so it receives more than 1.5 times more loads than when the waist is standing.” Maintaining good posture is crucial.
Neck and shoulder strain is also a concern. Forward head posture,frequently enough called “turtle neck,” increases body tension and can cause pain. Professor Kang recommends consciously straightening the back, retracting the head, and using a low cushion or pillow for neck and lumbar support. “The weight of a person is about 5kg, but the burden on the spine is more than four times larger even if the neck is tilted only 30 degrees,” he cautioned.
Beyond posture, drivers should be mindful of medication.Those with underlying health conditions or taking cold and allergy medications should check for drowsiness-inducing side effects, notably antihistamines. Park Jung-ha, a professor of family medicine at Kyung Hee university Hospital, advises, “There are also muscle relaxants and anti-anxiety prescriptions prescribed in some neurological diseases and pain diseases, and it is safe to consult with the doctor for the medication plan if long-distance driving is scheduled.” drivers experiencing drowsiness, dizziness, or fatigue should ventilate the vehicle or take a break.
While caffeine can temporarily combat fatigue, it can ultimately worsen sleep deprivation. Drivers should also prepare artificial tears for dry eyes and exercise caution with glare during nighttime driving.
