People who go on long drives or travel interstate in cars and other vehicles they drive themselves are at the risk of injuring their back without proper support. Imagine what it must be like for truckers who drive unbelievable distances every day and often without a break.
Amateur truckers will find it incredibly helpful to know that a reliable lumbar support pillow is an essential safety-cum-travel gear for them. It can help protect them from back and neck sprains, provide greater seating comfort, and make the drive more restful.
Before delving deeper into the fundamental reasons truckers and other professional drivers should invest in such pillows, take a look at the unpleasant and painful results of lousy posture during driving.
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Dangers of Poor Posture and Back Pain
Countless studies have been done through the years on how lumbar support is essential for people who spend a considerable portion of time every day in a sitting position. While further research is warranted, preliminary results confirm that lumbar support can affect posture in incredible ways, helping people maintain the natural spine curvature.
Consistently maintaining a bad posture can lead to chronic and severe back pain which requires the help from a back pain specialist. Consequently, this will put immense pressure on the spine, knees, hips, and lower body muscles. Over time, this condition can worsen and cause poor blood circulation leading to numbness in the legs and lower back, leaving people weakened, tired, and possibly debilitated.
Therefore, keeping the proper posture while sitting is crucial, especially for drivers, as they need to be in one position for long durations. Otherwise, the consequences may be so severe that they may put a stop to your career, preventing you from driving ever again.
Why Buying a Lumbar Support Cushion is Advisable
Cushions designed explicitly to provide lumbar support are typically placed between the lower back and the driving seat. Most of them are D-shaped and incorporate a flat portion that supports the back and a rounder, elevated area that supports the lower back curve.
These pillows are critical to maintaining the spine’s natural curvature, ensuring that muscles are relaxed while the back is aligned appropriately.
Here are some expert-backed, undeniable reasons trucking professionals should consider investing in robust back support for driving long or short distances.
Supports the Spine
The spine is responsible for carrying a significant portion of body weight, enabling people to go about their daily tasks effortlessly. If you drive without proper back support, it can lead to excessive strain on the spine and cause it to become weak or even injured.
So, it is preferable to buy pillows that offer solid support to the spine and prevent it from being pushed out of alignment. You can opt for a memory foam variety if you want a flexible pillow that can change itself and adjust to your body shape. Alternatively, gel or air pillows are excellent choices as well, each with its unique features and benefits.
Improves Body Posture
While it is indeed true that a lumbar support pillow can help prevent spine misalignment and chronic back pain issues, it can also aid in correcting a current lousy posture.
This incredible long-term benefit provided by these pillows enables drivers to attain the correct posture while simply sitting in their trucks. It can effectively prevent the spine from curving and the neck muscles changing shape or becoming stiff.
As a result, you will notice a marked difference in your posture after barely a couple of weeks of using a powerful lumbar support add-on to your driving seat.
Relaxes the Muscles
People carry a lot of tension in their muscles every day, especially truck drivers, who have to maneuver tricky roadways and uneven terrain often.
After a point of time, the tension in these muscles can result in the unfortunate formation of several painful knots that refuse to go away without appropriate treatment. The severest of cases often involves drivers requiring surgery or other invasive procedures to fix the issue.
This can be easily prevented by using proper lumbar support that can help keep the muscles relaxed by preventing knots and twitching.
Relieves stiffness and pain
Overcompensating back and neck muscles tend to spasm and clench in a way that causes sharp pains in your body. Generally, the pain originates in the lower back or even the shoulders, spreading to different parts over a period.
Instead of consuming strong painkillers when you experience such pain and stiffness, try using a robust cushion that supports the back and spine with incredible efficiency.
Besides the above points, reliable lumbar support can make driving easier for amateur and experienced truckers alike. It can help them feel more comfortable and relaxed on the road, thus making driving long distances as ergonomic and fun as possible.